Authorities Probe Accident At Kunce Event
Missouri Democratic Senate candidate Lucas Kunce’s recent campaign blunder at a gun range has turned into a field day for his Republican opponent, Senator Josh Hawley, and a focal point of criticism on social media. Kunce, aiming for a pro-gun image, staged a range event with former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, hoping to appeal to Second Amendment supporters.
Instead, the event ended in chaos when shrapnel from a poorly managed shot injured KSHB 41 News reporter Ryan Gamboa, and the oversight has opened Kunce to a cascade of ridicule from Hawley and firearms experts alike.
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
In response to Kunce’s photo-op fail, Hawley wasted no time, tweeting jabs like, “My grandma is a better shot than Lucas Kunce,” and offering free safety gear for reporters covering Kunce. But the story took an even darker turn as it came to light that the event was organized by Chad Everett Downs, who faces 17 felony counts of perjury and is reportedly under bond restrictions barring him from access to firearms.
According to court records, Downs—who claimed to “own” the range—was still coordinating the event and allegedly handling firearms, defying his legal restrictions.
So Kunce’s stunt at the fake gun range - where he shot the reporter - was organized by a criminal? Who is not supposed to have access to firearms? What is going on here pic.twitter.com/TrNmMS7Cup
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 24, 2024
Safety protocols at the range event were anything but standard, with photos showing Kunce and Kinzinger shooting steel targets at dangerously close range and wearing inadequate eye protection.
According to Kerry Slone, a gun safety trainer and founder of We The Female, such blatant disregard for basic safety created a scenario ripe for accidents, saying, “Now we see why these types of dudes want to ban firearms.” Even the Missouri Firearms Coalition weighed in, noting that an experienced gun owner would have easily recognized and avoided these safety breaches.
And when Kinsinger and Kunce miss their targets the bullets will travel hundreds of yards down range because there is no backstop, and because they are shooting into dense woods they have no idea who or what might be hit…Hikers? Kids on bikes? Vehicles on roads? Homes?… https://t.co/FF89l37Asu
— Zeke Stonekiller (@ZekeStonekiller) October 23, 2024
Kunce’s campaign has tried to downplay the incident, but his handling of the injury report has only worsened the optics. Instead of notifying the sheriff immediately, Kunce waited until the following day to report the injury. Although reporter Gamboa does not plan to press charges, the delay has led critics to call out Kunce for negligence and question his seriousness on gun rights and responsibility.
If you haven't heard yet, Democrat Senate Candidate @LucasKunceMO and former RINO Rep. @AdamKinzinger (who hates guns and Trump) held a bogus range day to impress the media and claim that Kunce is not a gun grabber. He is. 100%.
Then, they send bullet fragments into the arm… pic.twitter.com/bb8cjODVEo
— Missouri Firearms Coalition (@MOFirearms2A) October 23, 2024