JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. _ The day after his predecessor suggested he was a coward for not sending the Highway Patrol to defend Mark and Patricia McCloskey, Gov. Mike Parson said the St. Louis couple "had every right" to wave guns and shout at protesters near their property.
Parson said Tuesday he has always stood up for the Second Amendment, and that as a member of the state House, he sponsored the state's revamped Castle Doctrine, which gives Missouri homeowners more leeway to shoot people on their property.
The governor appeared to be responding to sharp criticism from former Gov. Eric Greitens during an appearance Monday night on Fox News' "Tucker Carlson Tonight" show. Asked why the current governor didn't come to the aid of the McCloskeys, Greitens said, "You have a cowardice problem."
