'Staggering Insanity': Democratic Senate candidate is torn apart after a bullet fragment hits a local reporter at gun range

A heated argument erupted on social media Tuesday in response to a Democratic Senate candidate firing an AR-15 at a shooting range. A local reporter was hit by a bullet fragment.

“Great day at the shooting range today with my friend @AdamKinzinger,” said Democratic Senate candidate Lucas Kunce Posted on X on Tuesday.

“We got to hang out with a few union members while exercising our freedom. Always have your first aid kit ready. Shrapnel can fly whenever you hit a target like today, and you have to be ready. We initially had four relief packages so we were able to take care of the situation and I'm glad Ryan is OK and was able to continue reporting.”

KSHB-TV's Ryan Gamboa was the only injured after bullet fragments hit his arm, and Kunce, a Marine Corps veteran who was shooting with an AR-15 at the time, bandaged his wound with gauze Kansas City Star reported.

RED STATE DEM SENATE CANDIDATE HAS A TERRIBLE PUBLICITY BEAT AFTER REFUSING TO SUPPORT VP HARRIS: 'UNACCEPTABLE'

A reporter was hit by a bullet fragment during a shootout for Democratic Senate candidate Lucas Kunce (center). (Lucas Kunce on X)

Reactions from conservatives on social media quickly poured in to X, including from Hawley, who posted online said: “I know the Kunce campaign needed a boost, but this is going a little too far…”

“Democrats Lucas Kunce and Adam Kinzinger apparently accidentally shot a reporter at an event today,” said Hawley Communications Director Abigail Jackson Posted on X. “Are these guys trying to make Tim Walz look competent with a gun?”

“Dumb. Dumb. Stupid,” said conservative communicator Steve Guest Posted on X. “Shooting steel targets at this close is a recipe for disaster.”

HAWLEY REQUESTS SECRET SERVICE ADDRESS TRUMP GOLF COURSE “VULNERABILITIES LISTED BY WHISTLEBLOWER.”

Lucas Kunce is a 13-year Marine veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He lives in Independence, Missouri, and is running for Senate against Senator Josh Hawley. (D.O.D.)

“Absolutely staggering insanity from a candidate for a political party that wants to take guns away from you because they say you can’t own them safely,” said Sean Davis, CEO and co-founder of Federalist Posted on X

“You could have killed someone today, you fucking idiot,” Davis added. “What kind of brain-dead idiot shoots steel within 10 meters with a rifle?”

“They were shooting at a metal target a few years (meters) away, and apparently a shrapnel or ricochet hit a reporter covering the event in the elbow,” Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross wrote on X. “'Great day at the range.' '”

“Tip: If you don’t want someone to get hit by shrapnel while shooting, shooting rifles at steel targets 10 feet in front of you is probably not the best idea,” wrote digital strategist Greg Price on X.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Senator Josh Hawley speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee business session April 4, 2022, on Capitol Hill. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with union members about our freedoms on the range,” Kunce said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Safety is important to us, which is why the shooting range was set up and managed by a certified NRA training advisor. But whenever you handle weapons, you must be prepared. We acted quickly and I'm glad the reporter was okay and able to continue reporting.

Kunce responded to a post from Hawley that said, “When liberals play with guns, people get hurt,” with a clip of Hawley running through the Capitol on Jan. 6.

“The last time Josh Hawley saw a gun,” Kunce wrote.