St. Louis gun couple case still reverberates six years later

Key Points:

• In June 2020, Mark and Patricia McCloskey confronted Black Lives Matter protesters on a private street in St. Louis, brandishing firearms, which sparked a national debate on self-defense, property rights, and public protest.
• After years of legal battles, including multiple lawsuits and appeals, the McCloskeys recovered their AR-15 rifle in 2025, with their convictions eventually expunged and pardoned by Missouri's governor.
• The case drew criticism of then-St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, who charged the couple, and was seen by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt as emblematic of progressive prosecutors targeting law-abiding citizens amid rising crime.
• The McCloskeys' ordeal severely impacted their law practice and public lives, with Mark becoming a prominent conservative political figure, speaking at the 2020 Republican National Convention and running for U.S. Senate.
• Despite ongoing threats, the couple continues to advocate for constitutional rights, using their experience to speak on First and Second Amendment issues nationwide.