India, Sept. 11 -- Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA who was killed during a campus event in Utah on Wednesday, was known for his uncompromising stance on abortion, a position that often drew both fervent support and fierce criticism.

In one exchange that has again gone viral, Kirk was asked during a public forum how he would respond if his own daughter, at the age of 10, were raped and became pregnant. His response underscored his rigid opposition to abortion in any circumstance.

"That's awfully graphic," Kirk said. "But the answer is yes, the baby would be delivered."

The comment encapsulated Kirk's broader view: that abortion, regardless of circumstance, amounted to the taking of a life. He rou...