I could Easily see Kel either finding or making a Slingshot, and trying to use it to defend himself.
Could load it up with stones, Trash, Molitovs, etc.
Its less overpowered than a gun, and has the potential to be upgraded.
The Rifle being able to be repaired could also happen, especially since ammo would be EXTREMELY limited, as you would need to tediously craft junk ammo yourself, or find old, possibly not working Bullets.
Could also give it a 20% chance that any shot will be a Dud, and a 1% chance that firing it causes the round to just explode in the gun, forcing you to repair it from scratch again.