A Missouri reporter was slightly injured when a rifle fired by Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce during a campaign event caused metal fragments to hit the journalist in the arm. The reporter was hit by flyaway metal as Kunce fired an AR-15-style rifle at targets at an exurban Kansas City home. Kunce provided first aid to the reporter, who continued covering the event. The journalist later received treatment for a minor injury at a local hospital. Kunce, a Marine, is running against Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley next month. The shooting event was seen as an attempt to appeal to moderate and Republican voters in a state dominated by the GOP and strong beliefs in gun rights.
Missouri currently lacks Democratic representation in statewide office, with Hawley having defeated former Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill in 2018. The national Democratic Party also has members who support gun ownership, such as Vice President Kamala Harris, who recently stated that she owns a gun and is prepared to shoot home invaders. Kunce, the Senate candidate involved in the accidental shooting incident, later mentioned on social media that he had enjoyed a day at the shooting range with former Illinois U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican, and union workers. Despite the incident, Hawley responded jokingly by condemning violence against reporters and urging Kunce to not shoot another one, with laughing-face emojis included in his post.
This is not Kunce’s first attempt at running for the U.S. Senate, as he previously lost in the Democratic primary in 2022 to Trudy Busch Valentine, who subsequently lost to Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt in the general election. The incident involving the reporter being injured by fragments from Kunce’s rifle has raised concerns about the safety of campaign events involving firearms. While Kunce was quick to provide first aid to the reporter and express relief that they were okay, the incident highlights the risks associated with the increasing trend of using shooting events as a tactic to appeal to voters in a state like Missouri where gun rights are highly valued.
The use of firearms in campaign events to appeal to moderate and Republican voters reflects the political landscape in Missouri, where the GOP holds significant dominance. This incident also sheds light on the evolving strategies employed by some Missouri Democrats who are seeking to gain traction in a state that typically leans conservative. The response from both Kunce and Hawley to the accidental shooting incident demonstrates the unique dynamics at play in Missouri politics, where even potentially hazardous events can be met with humor and camaraderie. As the U.S. Senate race in Missouri continues to unfold, incidents like these serve as reminders of the challenges and risks involved in campaigning in a politically divided state with a strong gun culture.
