MO Democrat’s Gun Photo Op Left Reporter Wounded By Shrapnel

There’s something profoundly unmanly about pretending to be something that you’re not. If you don’t know how to play with guns, don’t go around acting like you do. Democrats have broken that rule twice now in an election focused on their efforts to redefine masculinity.

On Tuesday, the anti-gun opponent of Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., became the second example of a Democrat humiliating himself with firearms and then posting about it.

Missouri Democrat Senate candidate Lucas Kunce published photos of the scene on X wherein a reporter covering the campaign event was apparently injured by shrapnel.

“Great day at the range today,” Kunce said. “Shrapnel can always fly when you hit a target like today.”

The images also showed the group, including disgraced ex-Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, only about five- to seven yards away from the metal targets.

Federalist CEO Sean Davis outlined the “multitudes” of issues in the photos the Democrat posted online. The close range from which the shooters fired “could’ve killed somebody given the force with which the bullets will ricochet off the steel targets at [that] distance.”

“You would instantly get permanently banned at my range if you did that,” Davis said. “Zero questions asked.”

“There are at least two canisters of explosive Tannerite powder on the table, down range from where guns are being fired,” Davis added. “That could’ve potentially killed or seriously injured someone if someone shot it or if someone was stupid enough to be shooting close enough to steel for a ricochet to hit it.”

The Republican incumbent challenged Kunce to “release the footage!”

Kunce did not immediately respond to The Federalist’s inquiries Tuesday night about how the reporter was injured and whether the campaign would reveal the tape. Peter Meijer, a military veteran and former member of Congress, said on X the reporter was injured after a gunshot from Kunce when a hit sent shrapnel flying.

The Democrat Missouri Senate candidate’s event was also attended by disgraced ex-Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger.

Hawley roasted Kunce all over X following the incident.

“My grandma is a better shot than Lucas Kunce,” Hawley said on X with a picture of an armed old lady wearing the signature red MAGA hat.

Hawley spokeswoman Abigail Jackson compared the incident to when Vice President Kamala Harris’ running-mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, struggled to load a shotgun while wearing a hunter’s hat two weeks ago.

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign compared Walz to Elmer Fudd from the Looney Tunes.

Tristan Justice is the western correspondent for The Federalist and the author of Social Justice Redux, a conservative newsletter on culture, health, and wellness. He has also written for The Washington Examiner and The Daily Signal. His work has also been featured in Real Clear Politics and Fox News. Tristan graduated from George Washington University where he majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow him on Twitter at @JusticeTristan or contact him at [email protected]. Sign up for Tristan’s email newsletter here.