Missouri Moms Demand Action Responds to Governor’s Politically Motivated Pledge to Pardon St. Louis Couple that Threatened Peaceful Protesters with Guns

Following the announcement of charges against Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the white couple that pointed loaded firearms at peaceful protesters, the Missouri chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement on Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s earlier comments suggesting he would pardon the couple if convicted:

“Gov. Parson’s comments directly condone threatening acts of violence towards Black Missourians, and all those exercising their constitutional rights to protest,” said Karen Rogers, volunteer with the Missouri chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Just days after the governor urged lawmakers to create harsher punishments for violent crimes, these comments seemed to suggest this dangerous behavior should be singled out for special, lenient treatment. If the governor were serious about saving lives in Missouri, he’d add common-sense gun violence prevention measures to his agenda for next week’s special session and condemn this couple’s dangerous behavior.”

Last week, Gov. Parson announced his agenda for the upcoming special session to address the recent spike in violence. Instead of including any gun safety measures, the agenda focuses on increasing penalties for violent crimes, which research shows does not have an impact on violent crime and is disproportionately applied to Black and brown people.