Seth Meyers on Thursday described gun violence as a “plague” on the United States and urged passage of reasonable gun safety laws in the wake of the killing of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk.
On the opening of "Late Night with Seth Meyers," the host said the nation must address what he called an "epidemic of tragedy and pain," arguing that firearms are a common factor regardless of the perpetrators’ identities or ideologies. "We desperately need reasonable gun safety laws to stop this epidemic of tragedy and pain. No matter the identity or ideology of these perpetrators, one thing is always constant: the guns," Meyers said.
Meyers’ remarks followed the killing of Kirk and came amid a string of recent shootings that included a school shooting in Colorado on Wednesday and a deadly shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis roughly two weeks earlier. Meyers and several other late-night hosts, including Stephen Colbert, opened their programs with somber commentary addressing those incidents.
Citing a 2024 report from the Polarization Research Lab, Meyers noted that a "vast majority" of Americans across the political spectrum reject political violence. He used that finding to call on public figures to model restraint. "In a moment like this, it is the responsibility of all public figures to marshal their dignity and compassion and lead us to a calmer, more rational place," Meyers said. "This effort can not be one sided and it must start at the top."
Meyers framed his comments as a plea to protect public life and civic discourse from the threat of gun violence, saying students should be able to attend school and citizens should be able to engage in debate without fear. His appeal emphasized policy change and leadership rather than partisan blame.
The on-air remarks are part of an ongoing role that late-night hosts have taken in responding to high-profile acts of violence, using opening monologues to both inform viewers and press for broader debate about public safety and policy. Meyers’ segment reiterated a call that has been echoed by advocates, lawmakers and other media figures for legislative measures aimed at reducing gun deaths, though specifics of proposed laws were not detailed in his monologue.
Representatives for Meyers did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment. The Polarization Research Lab report referenced by Meyers assessed public attitudes toward political violence and found overwhelming opposition across ideological lines, a finding that advocates for reduced political extremism have cited in calls for calmer public discourse and stronger preventative measures.
As the nation continues to reckon with repeated mass and targeted shootings, public conversations about gun safety, political rhetoric and the responsibilities of leaders have intensified. Meyers’ remarks underscore how cultural and entertainment platforms remain a prominent venue for those discussions, reaching audiences beyond traditional news outlets.