St. Louis, MO – Mark McCloskey announced the return of his AR-15 rifle on August 2, 2025, following an extensive legal battle spanning 1,847 days, three lawsuits, and two trips to the Court of Appeals. The firearm was confiscated after a highly publicized incident in June 2020, where McCloskey and his wife, Patricia, brandished weapons at protestors passing by their private street. McCloskey stated on social media, > "It only took 3 lawsuits, 2 trips to the Court of Appeals and 1,847 days, but I got my AR15 back!"
The incident on June 28, 2020, saw Mark and Patricia McCloskey pointing an AR-15 and a Bryco pistol, respectively, at Black Lives Matter protestors. The couple claimed they were defending their property from trespassers and threats, while prosecutors argued their actions constituted unlawful exhibition of weapons. The event quickly gained national attention, becoming a flashpoint in debates over property rights, self-defense, and racial justice.
Following the confrontation, the McCloskeys were charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon. In June 2021, they pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges, with Mark McCloskey admitting to fourth-degree assault and Patricia McCloskey to harassment. However, Missouri Governor Mike Parson issued full pardons for both in August 2021, effectively nullifying their convictions and restoring their rights, including the right to own firearms.
Despite the pardons, the firearms used in the incident remained confiscated by authorities, leading to the prolonged legal efforts by the McCloskeys to reclaim them. The legal process involved multiple court filings and appeals to secure the return of the weapons. Mark McCloskey reflected on the experience in his tweet, stating, > "We defended our home, were persecuted by the left, smeared by the press, and threatened with death, but we never backed down."
The return of the AR-15 marks a significant development in the McCloskeys' legal saga, though Mark McCloskey indicated that the Bryco pistol, referred to as "Patty and the Bryco," is still awaiting return. The couple, both attorneys, faced temporary suspensions of their law licenses related to the incident, which were later stayed. Mark McCloskey also pursued a political career, running unsuccessfully for a U.S. Senate seat in Missouri.