Photos of an armed couple protecting their home in a gated community are circulating online. They looked far from the iconic Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but they had to stand up for what was theirs. Read more about the story here.
Armed Couple in St. Louis Trending Now
The 2nd Amendment is having quite a year.
Even as restrictive legislation is pushed through in several states, and is even making headway at the Federal level, homeowners and business owners are calling on their rights to bear arms to protect their lives and their livelihoods.
Across the nation, we are witnessing over and over again that people reach for their firearms to ensure their safety.
Racial tensions have continued to rise and Black Lives Matter protests have continued for a full month now.
In St. Louis, Mayor Lyda Krewson was the reason for a march that took place on June 28, in her own gated community.
Krewson drew attention from activists when she read the names and addresses of those asking her to defund the police, on her Facebook Live video.
Although these names and addresses are public records, they are typically only released by formal request.
The mayor later apologized, saying that she “did not intend to cause distress or harm to anyone.”
Were They in the Right?
But unlike other marches that have taken place over the last few weeks, the march in St. Louis took place on private property – and protestors were made to feel very unwelcome.
The march was compromised of several hundred protesters, who were headed for Krewson’s house to demand her resignation.
But to get there, they had to break through an iron gate to Portland Place, one that was clearly marked with “Private Street” and “No Trespassing” signs.
Once they broke through the gate, protesters were surprised to find themselves faced with armed homeowners Mark and Patricia McCloskey.
Mark brandished a semi-automatic rifle, while Patricia held her handgun. Mark repeatedly yelled, “Private property! Get out!”
The McCloskeys, both lawyers, had called the police when they saw the mob at the gate to their street but had jumped into action when they feared their home would become a target.
They did not advance past their own front steps and kept their interactions with protesters minimal, despite protesters yelling obscenities at them.
Although plenty of video footage is available, there is no sign of protesters stepping onto their property.
Was It Self-Defense or Improper Gun Use?
The McCloskeys own a personal injury law firm that has since been boarded up and the website removed. They have both had to disconnect their phones after the incident.
It will be determined in a court of law whether the McCloskeys were acting in self-defense or if they were instead improperly using a firearm to intimidate.
Mark McCloskey is supportive of the BLM movement but also said, “I’m not the enemy of the people supporting black lives. I am the enemy of the terrorists, the Marxists.”
He does not want his or his wife’s actions to be viewed as an opposition to the movement.
Missouri is considered a very gun-friendly state. No permits are necessary for open or concealed carry.
And it is not necessary to register firearms or have a permit to purchase a firearm. Even specially trained school employees are allowed to carry firearms on school property.
Of concern to experienced marksmen and firearm enthusiasts is the manner in which the McCloskeys handled their firearms.
Mark appears to be simply displaying his rifle. Even more troubling is that Patricia is pointing her pistol directly at the crowd with her finger on the trigger.
Safe and proper use is an essential element of gun ownership. It is always recommended to handle and practice with your weapons until you are comfortable with them.
What are your thoughts about the armed couple? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the commons section!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on July 2, 2020, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Good for them. They were protecting their property. They live in a gated community and the protestors broke in. The protestor’s were not allowed entry so they were breaking the law.
How come only Thugs have rights !!!!. The people that pay the way for these THUGS GET CHASTISED for protecting their private property & lives.
They did exactly what any person should do. The protestors have the right to protest but not on private property. I support the home owners right to protect their property, even if it had been necessary to fire on the protestors. It’s time these protestors are held accountable for their actions
Anarchists are trying to tear down the USA, this all has NOTHING to do with Racism any more! This is simply an attempt at armed overthrow of America. Tearing down statues and monuments of American Heroes and even soldiers of the Confederacy is meant to divide us. The Confederate monuments were constructed to heal the wounds between the North and South. not divide us further, think about it! The Confederates and Northern Armies were neighbors and families, not invading foes. Also Slavery was an issue but not THE MAIN ISSUE of the Civil War, trade import/export and the economy was the real cause. WE wouldn’t be having this conversation if the schools were still teaching real History and Economics! Crack a textbook not a head! The North didn’t even allow Black soldiers until deep onto the war. READ
Amen, ‘bro! It all started with the removal of prayer and stopping the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance! That didn’t leave a void. What rushed in to fill that void is all kinds of evil!!! Thus, no more reading, writing, a ‘rithmatic. Now indoctrination. No more civics. Just political correctness!
They were well within their rights to protect their property. After all the protesters were the ones that broke through the gate. Is that not illegal.
If these idiots come into neighborhoods, They can make all their stupid demands, they will be dealt with. I saw a father of a son , who was killed in CHOP! What do these people. Expect? Demanding and destroying property Hannity let this father whine and cry and say he would accept donations. Why was his son in CHOP??
I am very proud of this couple and their courage to stand up to protect themselves and their loved ones.
However they must get some training and practice in gun handling and safety. They are fortunate that the crowd was as ignorant as they were. One who was knowledgeable could have overrun them and used their own weapons against them.
There are several training programs available. Concealed Carry University, U S Concealed Carry Association, NRA and many others. They offer both videos and hands on programs. Not only the knowledge but also practice.
Be brave. Be smart. Be safe.
Hearing about the video and careless/dangerous way this couple handled their firearms (even pointing them towards each other once or twice!) made me wonder whether they were liberals paid (or threatened) to make legal gun owners look bad. Definitely not displaying competence. I’m all for their right to defend their lives (and even their property though that may not be legal) but really??
Actually, the news media very cleverly doctored that video to make that couple look like nincompoops! Now, that couple is under investigation for merely trying to protect what is their right to private property. Forget about the fact that the mob broke the locked gate and tread onto private property? Do you own your own home or live in an apartment? Would you have allowed uninvited people to force their way into your home or your private space? I don’t think so!
NO IF THEY CAME ON THE NEWS MEDIA PEOPLE PROPERTY THAT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT STORY THAT THEY WERE TILLING , THE NEWS PEOPLE ANY MORE IS A SORRY ASS BUNCH OF PEOPLE JUST LIKE THE ONES THAT DID THIS . THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY ARE ALL TRYING TO DESTROY THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE THERE ALL A BUNCH OF IDIOTS
BLM is corrupt ! They are simply a fund raiser for the Democrat party ! The same Democrats who have been exploiting Black people for over 200 years.