Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley has continued to press his opponent, Democrat Lucas Kunce, after an incident at a recent campaign event involving firearms led to a reporter being injured by flying shrapnel.

Image Credit: © Jack Gruber, Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
April 18, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA - Senator. Josh Hawley (R-MO) as Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2025 for the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on resources and authorities requested to protect and secure the homeland. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

The mishap occurred during a photo opportunity in which Kunce and former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) participated in a shooting event.

The event took a turn when KSHB 41 News reporter Ryan Gamboa was hit by debris while covering the event.

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Despite the seriousness of the incident, Kunce posted photos on X (formerly Twitter), describing the day as a "great day at the range."

Hawley, quick to capitalize on the event, posted sarcastic comments on social media, saying, "My grandma is a better shot than Lucas Kunce," and offering "safety gear for all reporters covering Lucas Kunce. Free of charge. Enjoy!"

However, the controversy deepened when reports surfaced revealing that Chad Everett Downs, a man involved in arranging the event, was facing felony perjury charges.

Court records show that Downs, who stayed near Kunce and Kinzinger during the event, was not supposed to be around firearms due to the conditions of his bond.

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Downs had been charged with 17 counts of perjury related to a dismissed child abuse case, raising concerns about safety protocols at the event.

According to Missouri court documents, Downs was prohibited from having access to guns, a condition that was seemingly violated during the campaign event.

Downs had spoken with a Kansas City Star journalist before the event, claiming the gun range was on his neighbor’s property, though he showed firearms that he said belonged to him.

In the aftermath of the incident, gun safety experts have raised concerns about how the event was conducted.

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Photos of the event show that participants may have been too close to the targets, leading to questions about whether proper safety measures were in place.

Critics also noted that despite Kunce’s military background, the event displayed a lack of knowledge on gun handling.

Kerry Slone, founder of We The Female organization and a gun safety trainer, commented on the incident, joking, "Now we see why these types of dudes want to ban firearms." She pointed out that while the incident was no laughing matter, the negligence displayed could have led to a far worse outcome.

The Missouri Firearms Coalition also weighed in on the situation, criticizing the way the event was handled.

They pointed out a number of safety errors in a social media post, including the distance from the steel targets, improper use of scopes, and misuse of safety gear.

Their comments echoed broader concerns about how the event was organized.

How many stupid things do you see in this picture? Sound off in the comment section. Here's a few that come to our mind:

1. Umm, you don't shoot steel targets with a freaking AR-15 at 10 yards. A child knows that will be dangerous.

2. You don't use a scope like that on targets that close.

3. Your eye pro belongs in front of your eyes, not on top of your head.

4. Adam, you are leaning back like a sissy. Act like a man, lean into it.

5. Vertical foregrip isn't a mistake, but very fashionable, circa 2005.

What else ya got? - Missouri Firearms Coalition

Adding to the scrutiny, Kunce waited until the day after the incident to notify local law enforcement.

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The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Kunce reported the injury to deputies on Wednesday, though the incident had occurred on Tuesday.

Reporter Ryan Gamboa, who was injured, told the sheriff he does not plan to press charges.

While the Kunce campaign has faced mounting criticism, Hawley has continued to use the incident to his advantage, highlighting what he sees as the inexperience of his opponent.

As the Senate race continues to heat up, the incident has provided ample ammunition for Hawley’s campaign to question Kunce’s judgment and leadership.

Original article below:

Missouri Democrat Senate candidate Lucas Kunce’s campaign event took a dramatic turn when a television reporter was injured by an apparent bullet fragment while Kunce was firing an AR-15.

Image Credit: © Greta Cross/Springfield News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK
U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce speaks at Springfield's second annual Earth Day Music and Sustainability Festival, at Jordan Valley Ice Park on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Kunce was the festival's keynote speaker.
04.22.23 The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Earth Day GC

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The incident occurred at a rural location north of Kansas City, as reported by The Kansas City Star.

Kunce was the only person shooting at the time, and the reporter, Ryan Gamboa of KSHB-TV, sustained a minor wound while observing the event.

After the injury, Kunce quickly moved to assist Gamboa by bandaging the wound on the spot.

The situation unfolded with the election just two weeks away, as Kunce has been emphasizing his military background and featuring firearms prominently in his campaign ads.

Kunce, a Marine veteran, has made his military service a central theme of his bid to unseat incumbent Senator Josh Hawley, while also supporting certain gun control measures, such as raising the age to purchase firearms from 18 to 21, according to OnTheIssues.org.

Kunce called it a 'great day at the range,' even though he injured a reporter.

Following the incident, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) took to social media, mocking Kunce’s shooting skills. Hawley posted on X (formerly Twitter), “My grandma is a better shot than Lucas Kunce,” shortly after news of Gamboa’s injury became public.

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Kunce’s campaign has been heavily focused on his military service and his proficiency with firearms, a theme meant to appeal to a broad voter base in Missouri.

However, the incident involving the reporter has raised questions and sparked criticism online. After Gamboa was reportedly struck by a possible bullet fragment, social media users were quick to criticize Kunce’s handling of the situation.

One user on X said, “You could’ve killed somebody today, you freaking moron. What kind of a brain-dead idiot shoots steel inside 10 yards with a rifle?”

Valentina Gomez, referencing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, added, “Ask your boy Tim Walz for a tampon to stop the bleed.”

The race has grown increasingly competitive as Kunce seeks to highlight his background as a Marine veteran while advocating for certain gun control measures, such as raising the minimum age for gun purchases.

His campaign has tried to strike a balance between promoting Second Amendment rights and supporting some gun safety regulations.

As the election nears, the incident may become a talking point as both sides continue to battle for votes in what has been a closely-watched Senate race in Missouri.

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