McCloskeys regain their AR-15 rifle after a lengthy legal fight in St. Louis

Mark and Patricia McCloskey Regain AR-15 After Legal Battle

A couple from St. Louis, known for a viral incident involving their firearms during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020, has had their AR-15 returned after a lengthy legal struggle. The couple, Mark and Patricia McCloskey, had their weapons seized by authorities over five years ago.

Mark McCloskey shared on social media that it took three court cases, two appeals, and a total of 847 days to reclaim the rifle. He posted several pictures of himself with the gun, expressing his relief and determination. “We defended our home, were attacked by the media, and faced threats, but we never backed down,” he noted.

In another post, he shared a clip of himself picking up the rifle from the police station. He remarked that, while the AR-15 might be worth around $1,500, the process of retrieving it was much more valuable: “It took a lot of time and effort, but it’s necessary,” he said. He also mentioned that he hopes to get back the pistol, which was with his wife during the protest, sometime next week.

Reflecting on personal responsibility and freedom, McCloskey stated, “Each of us has a duty to uphold our rights within our Democratic Republic.”

The 2020 incident that brought them into the spotlight occurred when protesters entered their neighborhood. The couple, feeling threatened, brandished weapons to confront the crowd. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, yet they faced charges for illegal use of weapons shortly after. These charges were eventually dismissed by the Missouri Attorney General.

The McCloskeys later pleaded guilty to lesser charges but received a pardon from Governor Mike Person. Recently, the Missouri Court of Appeals upheld the cancellation of McCloskey’s misdemeanor conviction. He emphasized the importance of perseverance against what he described as overreaches by the government: “If you’ve been wronged, you can’t let them take control.”