“We Complied with the Search Warrant. They Took My AR,” Mark McCloskey Confirms

An angry mob trespassed on private property and Mark and Patricia McCloskey came out to defend themselves and their home.

Though the police didn't show up to the initial incident, they did come after with warrants.

The McCloskeys complied with the search warrant, but they took their AR.

Local KSDK News, an NBC affiliate, has more details:

5 On Your Side has learned St. Louis police officers executed a search warrant Friday evening at the home of Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the Central West end couple who confronted protesters with weapons in June.

Sources told 5 On Your Side that police seized one of the weapons, the rifle, from the couple and they told police their attorney has the pistol seen in photos.

5 On Your Side is not aware of any charges against the McCloskeys at this time, and the warrant served Friday evening was just for the guns.

Late Friday evening 5 On Your Side confirmed attorney Al Watkins was no longer representing the McCloskeys, and that attorney Joel Schwartz had taken over. Schwartz confirmed a search warrant was issued at 8 p.m. Friday night, but would not say what was taken from the home. Schwartz also said he does not know where the handgun is.

Schwartz told 5 On Your Side he does not believe charges are warranted against the McCloskeys and that he hopes to meet with St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner’s office next week, but that there is no official appointment at this time.

The fact that this has even turned into a national story has worried many law abiding citizens.

The McCloskeys were defending their private property.

It was the violent protesters who trespassed.

No one got hurt.

Yet... the McCloskeys are the ones being investigated for their right to keep and bare arms.

The video evidence suggests that the McCloskeys clearly believed that their physical well-being and material property were being threatened.

In fact, the protesters were yelling insults and threats to the victims.

Yet, the McCloskeys are under investigation and their lawful AR has been confiscated.

The Hill has more details on the alarming case:

KSDK reported that the search resulted in police seizing the rifle that Mark McCloskey was seen holding during the incident.

Protesters passed the McCloskey's home on June 28 while making their way to Mayor Lyda Krewson's (D) home to call for her resignation because of comments she made during a livestreamed briefing. Krewson lives in one of the neighborhood's gated communities.

According to police filings, the McCloskeys at the time told police that they heard a commotion and saw "a large group of subjects forcefully break an iron gate marked with 'No Trespassing' and 'Private Street' signs."

"The group began yelling obscenities and threats of harm to both victims," St. Louis police told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "When the victims observed multiple subjects who were armed, they then armed themselves and contacted police."

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, the city's prosecutor, said that she would be investigating the matter.

"My office is currently working with the public and the police to investigate these events," she said on June 29. "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."

Missouri has a slew of laws that could protect the McCloskeys from criminal charges, including "stand your ground," the "castle doctrine" and open carry.

The results of this case will have major implications for both the Second Amendment and race relations in the nation.

Law and order must prevail! 

Fortunately, no charges have been brought against the McCloskeys despite the media scrutiny.

Let's hope it stays that way.