The Supreme Court has declined to hear a case petitioned by U.S. Senate candidate Mark McCloskey and his wife, Patricia, involving the couple’s use of firearms during a verbal altercation with Black Lives Matter protesters in St. Louis. During the 2020 incident, amid protests over the death of George Floyd, the McCloskey's pointed their guns at some of those participating in the protests. The case grabbed national attention and the two have gained the support of former President Donald Trump.

What You Need To Know

  • The Supreme Court declined to hear case petitioned by Mark McCloskey and his wife involving their use of a firearm during a 2020 protest
  • The two had hoped to get their case before the U.S. Supreme Court because they were not satisfied with the decision by the Missouri Supreme Court which found that because the couple were practicing attorneys, their actions amounted to "moral turpitude"

  • Initially the couple’s law licenses were indefinitely suspended as a result of their actions. Later, the court stayed their suspension on the condition they complete the probation
  • In August of last year, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson pardoned the couple despite their decision to plead guilty two months earlier

The two had hoped to get their case before the U.S. Supreme Court because they were not satisfied with the decision by the Missouri Supreme Court which found that because the couple were practicing attorneys, their actions amounted to "moral turpitude.” The couple contended their 2nd amendment rights were violated and argued they were "exercising lawful rights to bear arms in defense of their person, family, and home." In some states, being found guilty of “moral turpitude” could have resulted in both McCloskey's being disbarred.

Initially the couple’s law licenses were indefinitely suspended as a result of their actions. Later, the court stayed their suspension on the condition they complete the probation. Just after the incident, Mark McCloskey announced he was running for the U.S Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Missouri).

In June of 2021, the couple pleaded guilty in the criminal case brought against them for the same incident. Mark McCloskey pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault. His wife pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor second-degree harassment charge. The couple was also ordered to pay fines between $750 and $2,000 and had to turn over the weapons they used in the altercation with protestors.

In August of last year, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson pardoned the couple despite their decision to plead guilty two months earlier.

Spectrum News reached out to the McCloskey's for comment on the Supreme Court’s decision but are still waiting to hear back.