Police have executed a search warrant at the home of the St Louis couple who pointed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters marching past their property.
The raid on Mark and Patricia McCloskey’s mansion resulted in authorities seizing the rifle that Mr McCloskey was seen brandishing in a video that went viral after the incident in June.
The search took place on Friday night at the property in the Central West End neighbourhood, according to local news stations. KSDK reported on the seizure of the rifle.
...Missouri has a number of laws that may protect the McCloskeys from any criminal charges. No charges have been filed to date.
The state has Open Carry, Stand Your Ground, and Castle Doctrine legislation, that allow you to carry a weapon, protect yourself if you feel threatened, and defend your home.
However St Louis University law professor John Ammann told KMOV that under those protections you are not allowed to aim a gun unless there is a specific threat that someone is approaching or attempting to enter the home. Video footage showed that Mrs McCloskey appeared to be pointing a gun indiscriminately, with her finger on the trigger, rather than at a specific threat.
City prosecutor Kim Gardner is investigating the incident. She said at the time: “Make no mistake: We will not tolerate the use of force against those exercising their First Amendment rights, and will use the full power of Missouri law to hold people accountable.”
The city prosecutor is virulently anti-gun and pro-BLM, so she was looking for any possible way to seize the guns of the McCloskeys--even though they are Dems and prominent attorneys in the local area. Outside of St Louis this suspect warrant and gun seizure would not likely have occurred in MO.