Man Who Aimed Assualt Rifle at Peaceful Protesters Wants Criminal Record Expunged: ‘I Am Not a Threat to the Public Safety’

A Missouri man who was arrested, charged, and subsequently pleaded guilty to brandishing a firearm at Black Lives Matter demonstrators passing by his home in 2020 is now seeking to expunge his pardoned misdemeanor conviction. Mark McCloskey and his wife, Patricia, & gained attention when they stood on the lawn of their Central West End mansion, brandishing a Colt AR-15 rifle and a Bryco .380-caliber pistol, respectively, at peaceful protestors passing by their residence. Their claim that they “felt unsafe” was made even though they were not initially targeted or recognized by the protesters. McCloskey pled guilty to a misdemeanor fourth-degree assault charge, and his wife pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment. After being convicted, the duo received a pardon for their crimes from Republican Gov. Mike Parson. Mark and Patricia McCloskey of St. Louis, Missouri, pose for a photo before speaking at a “Defend Our 2A: Michigan’s Fight for Self Preservation” rally at a farm on July 19, 2023, in Ionia, Michigan. The rally was moved this year from the Michigan State Capitol, where it had previously been held. Also speaking at the rally was Kyle Rittenhouse, the then-17-year-old who shot and killed two protestors in Kenosha, Wisconsin, claimed self-defense,...