A recent survey suggests that just over half of U.S. voters believe private companies are justified in terminating employees who publicly celebrate acts of political violence, using the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk as a recent example.

The poll, conducted by the Napolitan News Service and released Thursday, found that 51 percent of respondents agreed that it is appropriate for employers to fire individuals who publicly endorse or celebrate an assassination online. In contrast, 35 percent said such firings are not acceptable.

Political affiliation played a significant role in opinions. According to the survey, 88 percent of Republicans supported the notion that reporters or public officials who celebrate such violence should face termination, compared with just 34 percent of Democrats. Among respondents who engage in political discussions almost daily, 73 percent agreed that such actions warrant job loss. Democrats were the only demographic group with a slim majority — 51 percent — opposed to private companies taking action in these cases.

The survey comes amid a wave of firings and public apologies following online posts celebrating Kirk’s death. Kirk, 22, was shot in the neck and killed on September 10 while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. Authorities reported that the alleged shooter lived with a transgender-identifying partner and had engraved bullet casings with messages including “Hey fascist! Catch!” and “If you read this you are gay LMAO.”

The findings highlight the growing tension between free expression and accountability in professional and public spheres, raising difficult questions about the consequences of online conduct, corporate responsibility, and political polarization.