While campaigning with disgraced former congressman Adam Kinzinger, a Democrat Senate candidate accidentally hit a reporter with a bullet fragment while shooting a rifle at a metal target at close range.
On Tuesday, Missouri Democrat Senate candidate Lucas Kunce held a shooting range campaign event at a private residence in Missouri featuring himself, Kinzinger, and a group of reporters. Unfortunately for one of those reporters, Kunce and Kinzinger apparently know nothing about firearms — despite having both served in the military.
KSHB-TV’s Ryan Gamboa was injured during the event when a bullet fragment struck him in the arm. Kunce was the only person shooting at the time of the injury, thus it was a fragment of a bullet from his AR-15 that injured the reporter. The Democrat candidate helped deal with the injury immediately, wrapping gauze around the wound and wrapping his belt around Gamboa’s arm to stop the bleeding. He was then transported to a local hospital and was quickly released, telling the media that his injuries were only minor.
Kunce was ripped apart in the comment section on X over his nonchalant post about the incident, which read: “Great day at the range today with my friend Adam Kinzinger. We got to hang out with some union workers while exercising our freedom. Always have your first aid kit handy. Shrapnel can always fly when you hit a target like today, and you’ve got to be ready to go. We had four first aid kits, so we were able to take care of the situation, and I’m glad Ryan is okay and was able to continue reporting.”
Great day at the range today with my friend @AdamKinzinger. We got to hang out with some union workers while exercising our freedom. Always have your first aid kit handy. Shrapnel can always fly when you hit a target like today, and you’ve got to be ready to go. We had four first… pic.twitter.com/Qu4YxfrtrU
— Lucas Kunce (@LucasKunceMO) October 23, 2024
Several of the responses came from Kunce’s opponent, incumbent Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO),
“When liberals play with guns, people get hurt,” he wrote in one post, adding a clown emoji.
When liberals play with guns, people get hurt 🤡 pic.twitter.com/wb2Jte3pIf
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 23, 2024
“My grandma is a better shot than Lucas Kunce,” Hawley wrote in another post, sharing an image of his grandmother with a rifle and a MAGA hat.
My grandma is a better shot than Lucas Kunce pic.twitter.com/rSjnBTlWeh
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 23, 2024
“‘Great day at the range’? Bro, you literally shot someone,” wrote conservative commentator Nick Sortor.
“Great day at the range”? Bro, you literally shot someone.
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 23, 2024
In another response, Sortor highlighted Kunce’s X bio, where he called himself an “arms control negotiator.”
“Dude can’t even control his own arms. Can’t make this sht up,” he added.
“Arms control negotiator”
Dude can’t even control his own arms.
Can’t make this sht up. pic.twitter.com/TWPyf8CLYF
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 23, 2024
Others called out Kinzinger for “using a scope meant for 100-400 yards to shoot at targets only 15 ft away.”
Democrat Lucas Kunce SHOT a reporter during a photo op today with Adam Kinzinger. This is the guy running against Josh Hawley.
Shooting a reporter will be the big story but look at Adam, he’s using a scope meant for 100-400 yards to shoot at targets only 15 ft away. Thankfully… pic.twitter.com/1lKDKZ0CqS
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) October 23, 2024
Social media users also pointed out how insane it was for these Democrats to be firing an AR-15 at a metal target close-range.
“Why did you put a tourniquet on a grazing flesh wound? Why are people wearing their eye protection on top of their head? Why are you firing .223 rounds at metal targets 20 feet away?” asked Townhall columnist Phil Holloway.
Why did you put a tourniquet on a grazing flesh wound?
Why are people wearing their eye protection on top of their head?
Why are you firing .223 rounds at metal targets 20 feet away?
Asking for a few million friends…
— Phil Holloway ✈️ (@PhilHollowayEsq) October 23, 2024
“You could’ve killed somebody today, you freaking moron. What kind of a brain dead idiot shoots steel inside 10 yards with a rifle?” asked Sean Davis, CEO and co-founder of The Federalist.
You could’ve killed somebody today, you freaking moron. What kind of a brain dead idiot shoots steel inside 10 yards with a rifle?
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) October 23, 2024
