A backyard campaign event intended to showcase Missouri Democrat Lucas Kunce’s love for the Second Amendment took a dangerous and unexpected turn when a reporter was shot. Kunce, who is running to unseat Senator Josh Hawley, held a rally alongside Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican congressman turned Democrat, in what seemed like a poorly executed attempt to appeal to pro-gun voters.
The event quickly spiraled into chaos when KSHB 41 reporter Ryan Gamboa, who was covering the rally, was struck by a ricocheting bullet. The shot came from Kunce’s own gun, with the bullet lodging in Gamboa’s upper right arm, leaving his shirt soaked in blood. In a bizarre twist, Kunce attempted to perform on-the-spot first aid on Gamboa before the reporter, clearly shaken, continued his coverage.
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Is this an illegal gun? No buttstock?
The carelessness at the rally did not go unnoticed, as Twitter/X erupted with criticism. Users were quick to point out the recklessness of the campaign duo, calling their behavior “unsafe” and accusing them of endangering everyone in attendance. The incident further fueled concerns about Kunce’s judgment, as many questioned whether he could handle the responsibilities of a Senate seat.
This mishap has already sparked a wave of backlash online, with many questioning if Kunce and Kinzinger’s event was more of a publicity stunt gone wrong than a serious political engagement. Critics blasted the pair’s blatant disregard for basic gun safety, dubbing the rally as one of the dumbest campaign stunts in recent memory.
