Mark McCloskey, one half of the St. Louis couple who made headlines for brandishing their guns at BLM protesters, is not apologetic of his actions. In fact, the senatorial candidate says he would “do the same thing” if necessary.

“I’d do it again,” he said following a recent courthouse hearing. “Any time the mob approaches me, I’ll do what I can to put them in imminent threat of physical injury because that’s what kept them from destroying my house and my family.”

Last year, a group of activists were on their way to the home of then-St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson when McCloskey and his wife, Patricia, pulled out their guns and pointed them at the demonstrators.

According to the couple, the firearms provided them with safety and security after the group of people allegedly trespassed onto their property.

The couple initially faced felony charges of unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering in connection with the crime, but jurors later amended the weapons charge to an indictment of misdemeanor harassment, dropping the tampering charge altogether.

On Thursday (June 17), the St. Louis couple admitted to committing the misdemeanor charges against them. McCloskey pleaded guilty to misdemeanor fourth-degree assault, while his wife pled guilty to misdemeanor harassment. They were charged $750 and $2,000, respectively. As part of the plea deal, the couple also agreed to surrender their handgun and semi-automatic rifle.

Following the hearing, McCloskey released a statement that echoed earlier sentiments he expressed about using the gun to protect his family.

“The prosecutor dropped all charges against me except for a claim that I put other people in imminent fear of physical harm,” the statement read. “That’s exactly what I did, that’s what the guns were for. And any time the mob comes and threatens me, I’ll do the same thing again to protect my family.”