While Meltdown Mike Bost tries to make the case that his meltdowns in Springfield aren’t “hurting his campaign,” he’s hit a new snag: A round of troubling stories emerged that Bost didn’t report his gun was stolen and used to threaten another person’s life. In fact, police reports showed that Bost’s gun safe included a bottle of Jack Daniels, but not his .357.
The story marks the latest in a string of bad headlines about Bost’s temperament, from dog killings to his meltdowns in Springfield.
“It should surprise no one who has seen Meltdown Mike Bost in action for 20 years in Springfield to learn that he can keep track of his Jack Daniels, but not his .357,” said Brandon Lorenz of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Meltdown Mike Bost needs to immediately come clean and explain why he didn’t report his gun missing and why he expects voters to believe he didn’t even know it was stolen until it was used to threaten another person’s life.”
BACKGROUND:
Bost Shot and Killed a Beagle Named Rusty. In 2014 the Huffington Post reported: “According to court records, Bost was displeased that authorities would not be able to deal with the 10-year-old dog immediately. So he got his handgun, drove to Rusty’s owner’s home, and shot the dog to death while it was penned in an enclosure.” [Huffington Post, 9/26/14; People vs. Bost, Michael, 4/15/87]
- Headline: Raging GOP Candidate Mike Bost’s Past Includes Dog Killing And Mysterious [Huffington Post, 9/26/14]
Bost did Not Know Stolen Gun was Missing Until Used to Threaten a Man’s Life. The Huffington Post reported: “In 2006, Bost’s nickel-plated special edition .357 Rossi revolver was stolen from his gun safe. According to police records, Bost did not know about the theft until police showed up at his door to inform him that the gun had been used to threaten another man’s life. Bost led investigators to the safe, and the firearm was indeed missing.” [Huffington Post, 9/26/14; Murphysboro Police Department, 7/10/06]
- Opposed Requiring Lost or Stolen Firearms to be Reported. In 2008, Bost voted against requiring that lost or stolen firearms are reported to the State Police Department or a local law enforcement authority within 72 hours of learning of the loss or theft. The bill further states that failure to report a lost or stolen firearm would result in the person’s Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) to be revoked or seized by the State Police Department. The bill failed 47-64. [HB 2760, Third Reading, 5/31/08; Huffington Post, 9/26/14]
Headline: Bost oppo file includes 1986 dog-killing incident [Capitol Fax, 9/29/14]
Headline: Illinois GOP candidate Mike Bost once shot and killed a beagle [Chicago Sun-Times, 9/29/14]
Headline: It’s ‘Beltway Bill’ vs. ‘Meltdown Mike’ in spirited Illinois congressional race [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9/29/14]
Headline: Summary execution of a dangerous dog in 1986 becomes a political issue in 2014 [Chicago Tribune, 9/29/14]
Headline: Illinois GOP Candidate’s Hobbies Include Screaming, Dog Shooting, Gun Losing [Wonkette, 9/29/14]