Missouri Couple Pleads Guilty To Protecting Their Home From Rioters – What Would Happen In Tennessee?

A Missouri Couple Now Has Criminal Records For Brandishing Firearms To Protect Their Property During BLM Riots. Would Homeowners Face The Same Charges If This Happened In The State Of Tennessee?

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Published June 22, 2021 

By John Harris [The Tennessee Firearms Association] – 

Mark and Patricia McCloskey are two people who attained national attention during the COVID-era and the Black Lives Matter uprisings across the nation.

These two, both in their 60s, were seen by the nation standing with firearms in their front yard protecting their home and assets from BLM protesters who had reportedly broken an iron gate, ignored trespassing warning signs and entered a private community where they lived. 

They were charged in 2020 after BLM protesters broke down an iron gate and ignored a “No Trespassing” sign on their private street. 
 
This event has been a topic of discussion in Tennessee since it occurred.  

Many, indeed most Tennesseans, are unaware that you cannot use deadly force, which includes brandishing a firearm, to protect your home, your business, or your “stuff”.  

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You cannot brandish a weapon in Tennessee to discourage or stop trespassers or to stop looters – such as what happened in Nashville when Mayor John Cooper welcomed another BLM protest mob that resulted in burning the historic courthouse and looting downtown Nashville.  

You also cannot brandish a weapon in Tennessee to make a citizen’s arrest. 


 Notwithstanding Tennessee’s laws which provide a means for rioters, looters, arsonists, thieves and thugs to trespass, destroy and steal your property, damage your home, destroy your business and take your “stuff” – Tennessee law at present pretty much forces a victim in these property crimes to just be a victim. It is an outrage that this is the case in Tennessee but it is the case here. 
 
So, what happened to the McCloskies who were the victims of a violent, property destroying mob who did nothing more than stand on their own property and defend it?  

Now, they have criminal records! What is worse, is that the rioters and trespassers in the BLM mob were not arrested or convicted of their crimes. 
 
According to news reports, both of the McCloskies now have pled to misdemeanor criminal charges and forfeited their firearms. They now have criminal records. They – the victims – have had their property taken from them to be destroyed. Many in the nation and certainly many in Tennessee would claim to do likewise but are they aware that their actions are against the law and in fact may result in them being charged and convicted as violent criminals? 

Tennessee law on this issue needs to be addressed and changed.  

Clearly, the Tennessee legislature was aware of this problem since the charges were filed in 2020 – long before the 2021 legislative session started but the GOP super majority in Tennessee did nothing to protect Tennesseans. 
 
If you think you do or should have the right to defend your home, your business, your assets and your life’s work from mobs, rioters, looters, thieves and thugs, it is important that you let your legislators know that this needs to be addressed in Tennessee as soon as they come back into session. 

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6 thoughts on “Missouri Couple Pleads Guilty To Protecting Their Home From Rioters – What Would Happen In Tennessee?

  • June 22, 2021 at 3:49 pm
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    Very interesting article on defending your property especially in a state where guns are legally allowed. In my previous very blue state of Massachusetts you are
    “Under the Massachusetts Castle Rule, you are not required to retreat from your home or to attempt to avoid combat with an unlawful intruder. You are allowed to use deadly force on an intruder if you believe he may kill or badly injure you or another person within the home or dwelling.” So maybe there should be a new look at these laws here in TN specially in the light of all the rioting and looting that has been happening everywhere.

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  • June 22, 2021 at 4:32 pm
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    Is this a proposal for a bill yet? Is there a representative that is pushing this I would back 100%.
    How can Tennessee be a constitutional carry state and not allow people to protect their property and family in cases such as this or worse?

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  • June 22, 2021 at 6:06 pm
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    I was not aware of Tn. law regarding protecting your property. It can and must be changed because it is wrong. Back in the day if you stole a man’s horse or cattle you were hung because you endangered the man’s ability to survive without them. It’s no different now. If you destroy or steal my property that I have worked and sacrificed for, you have taken a good part of my life. In my opinion, once my fence and locked gate are crossed you become fair game.

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  • June 22, 2021 at 8:06 pm
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    I’m horrified that Tennesseans don’t have the right to protect their property and use a firearm . What other BS aren’t we aware of ? And when will this issue be corrected ? It should have already been dealt with like yesterday !!! What’s wrong with the Tennessee GUP ( Give Up Party ) ? And BTW, what’s with the RINO Governor’s support for flooding our state with illegal aliens ?

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  • June 23, 2021 at 9:11 am
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    I’LL TAKE A JURY OF 12 VERSUS 6 PALL BEARERS!

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  • July 13, 2021 at 4:39 pm
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    John, as always you are on top of this. I have a call into Mark Pody right now about carrying a bill to correct this next legislative session. I will write the bill and will welcome your input since you have the most knowledge of anyone in this state about our gun laws. Mark and I are both confident that you will help us rally the troops in support of this to get it by the RINOES. Thanks for all you do!

    Reply

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