The St. Louis couple who garnered national attention for brandishing weapons at protesters in late June were charged on Monday, according to CBS affiliate KMOV-TV. Patricia and Mark McCloskey each face a charge of “flourishing illegal use of a weapon,” sources told the outlet.
“It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening matter to those who participate in nonviolent protests, and while we are fortunate that this situation has not become a lethal force, this type of conduct is unacceptable in St. Louis,” said the US attorney. Kim Gardner circuit. “We must protect the right to protest peacefully, and any attempt to cool it down by intimidation will not be tolerated.”
Police executed a search warrant last week and confiscated Mark McCloskey’s gun. The couple’s former attorney then handed over Patricia McCloskey’s gun.
the the confrontation took place on June 28, when several hundred protesters made their way to the home of St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson. The photos and video show the couple with guns as protesters passed by their home, which is located on a private street.
Mark McCloskey told KMOV-TV that he and his wife they were afraid for their lives.
“It was like the Bastille assault, the door fell and a large crowd of angry and aggressive people entered,” he said. “I was terrified that they would kill us in seconds. Our house would be burned down, our pets would be killed.”
The video on social media appears to show protesters opening and walking through the door uninterrupted, KMOV reported. It is unclear when or how the door was damaged.
McCloskey also claimed that he and his wife received death threats from the group, although one of the protest leaders said the group was peaceful and that no threats were made.
A lawyer for the couple called Monday’s charges “discouraging.”
“I, along with my clients, support the First Amendment right of every citizen to have their voice and opinion heard,” said attorney Joel Schwartz, according to KMOV-TV. “However, this right must be balanced with the Second Amendment and Missouri law, which empowers each of us to protect our home and family from possible threats.”
The couple has received the support of local politicians including Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, who urged Attorney General William Barr to launch a federal civil rights investigation into Gardner, according to KMOV-TV. He accused the lawyer of making “a politically motivated attempt to punish this family for exercising their Second Amendment rights.”
Missouri Governor Mike Parson said last week that he can forgive the couple. Based on what he knew about the case, “I don’t think they’ll be spending time in jail,” Marc Cox said on the morning show, according to KMOV-TV.
President Trump also intervened. In an interview with Townhall Media, the president said the couple “would be hit badly if they were lucky.” The couple also appeared in a Trump campaign virtual event Friday night.
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