Reporter Accidentally Hurt During Senate Candidate Event

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Well, here’s one for the books: Missouri’s Democratic Senate candidate Lucas Kunce managed to pull off the unthinkable at a campaign event—he literally shot a reporter. Now, before the fact-checkers get all worked up, let’s be clear: it wasn’t intentional. But yes, Kunce, while firing an AR-15 at a shooting range, sent a bullet fragment ricocheting off a target and right into the arm of a TV reporter. If this is the Democrats’ idea of gun control, then we’ve got bigger problems than we thought.

The unlucky reporter, KSHB-TV’s Ryan Gamboa, was caught in the crossfire—well, sort of. Kunce, a 13-year Marine Corps veteran, quickly bandaged up the wound, wrapping gauze around the bleeding arm like some kind of makeshift medic. Gamboa, to his credit, stayed at the range and finished his assignment, bloodstain and all. Nothing says dedication, like conducting an interview with a guy who just shot you.

Of course, Senator Josh Hawley—Kunce’s Republican opponent—wasted no time mocking the wannabe senator. “When liberals play with guns, people get hurt,” Hawley tweeted, complete with a clown emoji to drive the point home. And honestly, he’s not wrong. Democrats love to lecture about gun safety, but when they actually get their hands on one? Well, let’s just say this isn’t the first time things have gone sideways.

Hawley’s not done yet, though. He went further, asking if the reporter Kunce shot would be pressing charges. It’s probably safe to say Gamboa won’t be filing a lawsuit anytime soon, but Hawley’s trolling couldn’t be more on point. Kunce, after all, is the same guy who’s trying to sell Missouri voters on the idea that he’s qualified to represent them in the Senate. But if you can’t hit a target without wounding bystanders, how exactly are you supposed to hit the mark in Washington?

It’s worth noting that Kunce wasn’t out there alone—he was joined by none other than Adam Kinzinger, the former anti-Trump Republican who now spends his time cozying up to Democrats. Because nothing says “serious political event” like teaming up with Kinzinger, who’s spent the last few years alienating just about everyone in the GOP. The pair held a joint interview afterward, with poor Gamboa standing there, blood-stained arm and all, trying to keep his composure.

Kunce is going to need a miracle—or at least a crash course in range safety—if he hopes to close the gap in the polls. As it stands, a September Emerson College/The Hill poll shows Hawley with a comfortable 51% to Kunce’s 40%. And after this latest stunt, it’s doubtful that number is going to shift in Kunce’s favor anytime soon.

Kunce might want to reconsider using guns as campaign props—especially when they come with the risk of accidental casualties. And Hawley? Well, he’s having a field day with this one, and frankly, who can blame him?

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