Missouri couple who pointed guns at BLM protesters seek return of firearms

Mark and Patricia McCloskey, a Missouri couple who became famous for pointing guns at protesters marching for racial justice in 2020, are trying to get their firearms back after it emerged the city of St Louis had not yet destroyed them.

Mark McCloskey, who was pardoned after pleading guilty to weapons charges, sued St Louis, the city sheriff and the state to retrieve the guns and told a court hearing on Wednesday that the pardons also entitled the couple to a refund of their fines.

The McCloskeys, both lawyers in their 60s, said they felt threatened by the protesters who walked down their private street during global protests that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Mark McCloskey emerged from his home with an AR-15-style rifle, and Patricia McCloskey waved a semi-automatic pistol.

Photos and cellphone video captured the confrontation, which drew widespread attention and made the couple heroes to some and villains to others. No shots were fired, and no one was hurt.

The use of weapons led to charges and the McCloskeys both pleaded guilty in June to misdemeanors. As part of the plea, they voluntarily gave up the guns. Republican Governor Mike Parson granted pardons weeks later. Mark McCloskey is running for the US Senate as a Republican.

Circuit Judge Joan Moriarty took the case under advisement.