[Parson’s comments regarded the McCloskeys start at 5:23.]
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has a spotty record on enforcing the law. She let all of the rioters and looters go who were arrested by the St. Louis Police Department during recent civil unrest. But when two city home owners used firearms to protect themselves and their property from a crowed that had trespassed in their neighborhood and reportedly threatened them, she was outraged.
Gardner then began an investigation that is still ongoing — no charges have been brought yet — and has resulted in the confiscation of the two guns used Mark and Patricia McCloskeys used that day.
Missouri Governor Mike Parsons was interviewed by 971talk.radio.com‘s Mark Cox on Friday and was asked if he’d pardon the two if they’re ever tried and convicted.
Cox: Just hypothetically, if Kim Gardner is to try to prosecute one of these two people and tries to take them into a jury trial and gets them convicted, do you as governor have the power to pardon or commute something like that?
Parson: Oh, by all means I would and … I think that’s exactly what would happen. You know, right now, you know, that’s exactly what I feel. You don’t know until you hear all the facts and all that, but right now, if this is all about going after them because they did a lawful act, yeah, if that scenario ever happened, I don’t think they’re gonna spend any time in jail.
If charged, the McCloskeys, who are both attorneys, would have to mount a legal defense, possibly up to and including a trial by a jury of their peers. But Parsons — who stepped into the top job when Governor Eric Greitens resigned — evidently wants Missouri residents to know that he fully supports the Second Amendment and the right of people to defend themselves and their property.
Parson is on the ballot in November and very much wants to remain governor. Sending this signal should help him do that in what’s been a very red, very gun-friendly state.