A recent survey by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) shows that 30% of college students across the United States think violence is an acceptable measure to stop a controversial speaker at a campus event. This includes 3% who find it always acceptable, 12% who say it’s sometimes acceptable, and 16% who believe it’s rarely acceptable to use violence to prevent a speaker from participating in an event.

The survey results emerge a year after Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was killed while debating with students at a college event on September 10, 2025. Kirk’s death has left a marked impact on the campus environment regarding free speech.

The Decline in Acceptance of Violence

FIRE notes a reduction in the percentage of students supporting violence compared to last year’s data, with last year’s figure standing at 34%. However, the current 30% is still 10 points higher than figures from four years ago. Meanwhile, 70% of students now consider violence never acceptable in opposing a speaker.

Lenthall-Cleary, a data analyst at FIRE, expressed satisfaction over the slight decrease in students who find violence an acceptable response to speech. Nevertheless, he pointed out the need for improvement, as over 30% still see violence as sometimes justifiable.

Shouting Down Speakers and Free Speech Rankings

The survey also revealed that a significant 69% of students view shouting down speakers as acceptable, a slight decrease from last year by three points but still higher than figures from four years prior. The assassination of Charlie Kirk may have influenced changing views on appropriate responses to controversial speakers on campus.

In the early 2020s, liberal students were more likely than conservatives to justify violence; however, a rise in acceptance among conservative and moderate students, particularly males, has led to an equal stance across political lines.

Impact of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

The lasting effects of Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University (UVU) have been mixed. On one hand, it has drawn attention to free speech issues, but on the other, instilled fear over potential harm when expressing controversial opinions.

First responders attended to the scene of Kirk’s shooting, highlighting the risks to individuals who engage in expressing their views publicly on campuses.

FIRE’s survey, which included 62,997 undergraduate students from 262 four-year degree colleges and universities, also identified the top five schools for free speech: the University of Chicago, Claremont McKenna College, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Michigan Technological University, and Vanderbilt University.