• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle

Northam Declares Temporary State of Emergency, Weapons Ban on Capitol Grounds Ahead of Gun Rights Rally

January 16, 2020
Trump Admin to Ask Supreme Court to Back Firing of Government Watchdog

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Appeal From Faith-Based Pregnancy Center

June 16, 2025
Foreign Graduates Are Crushing Natural-Born Americans In Pay, Analysis Finds

Foreign Graduates Are Crushing Natural-Born Americans In Pay, Analysis Finds

June 16, 2025
Donald Trump Jr Announces Launch of ‘Trump Mobile’

Donald Trump Jr Announces Launch of ‘Trump Mobile’

June 16, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: Most Hispanic Voters Back Trump Deportation Policy Amid Anti-ICE Riots, Poll Shows

EXCLUSIVE: Most Hispanic Voters Back Trump Deportation Policy Amid Anti-ICE Riots, Poll Shows

June 16, 2025
Iran Reportedly Wants To Negotiate After Crippling Israeli Strikes

Iran Reportedly Wants To Negotiate After Crippling Israeli Strikes

June 16, 2025
NYC Dems Rush To Convince Voters They’re ‘Tough,’ Defy Party’s ‘Weak’ Reputation

NYC Dems Rush To Convince Voters They’re ‘Tough,’ Defy Party’s ‘Weak’ Reputation

June 16, 2025
New GOP Bill Pushes Punishment for Cities Defying Trump DHS

New GOP Bill Pushes Punishment for Cities Defying Trump DHS

June 16, 2025
Trump Admin Weighs Adding 36 Countries to Travel Ban List: Report

Trump Admin Weighs Adding 36 Countries to Travel Ban List: Report

June 16, 2025
Randi Weingarten Quits DNC

Randi Weingarten Quits DNC

June 16, 2025
‘Not Necessarily Based On The Law’: Gregg Jarrett Predicts How Trump’s Harvard Policy Will Fare In Court

‘Not Necessarily Based On The Law’: Gregg Jarrett Predicts How Trump’s Harvard Policy Will Fare In Court

June 16, 2025
Trump Calls on ICE to Expand Deportation Efforts in Dem-Run Cities

Trump Calls on ICE to Expand Deportation Efforts in Dem-Run Cities

June 16, 2025
Suspect In Assassination Of Minnesota Lawmaker Captured

Suspect In Assassination Of Minnesota Lawmaker Captured

June 15, 2025
  • Donald Trump
  • State of the Union
  • Elon Musk
  • Tariffs
  • Congress
  • Faith
  • Immigration
Monday, June 16, 2025
  • Login
IJR
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls
No Result
View All Result
IJR
No Result
View All Result
Home IJR

Northam Declares Temporary State of Emergency, Weapons Ban on Capitol Grounds Ahead of Gun Rights Rally

by Bradley Cortright
January 16, 2020
in IJR
250 2
0
491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Just days ahead of planned gun rights event in Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam (D) announced that he is declaring a temporary state of emergency and banning weapons from the Capitol grounds.

The state legislature previously banned guns inside the Capitol building ahead of the Monday rally, but did not include the Capitol grounds as those are under the control of the governor, according to NBC 12.

“No weapons will be allowed on capitol grounds. This includes everything from sticks and bats to chains and projectiles,” Northam said during a press conference announcing the ban.

The emergency declaration will expire on Tuesday, after the rally is over.

The gun-rights advocacy organization Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) organized the rally which is called “the most important Lobby Day Rally.”

A post on the VCDL’s website urges people to attend the rally, “If you care about your gun rights in the slightest.”

NPR reports that law enforcement officials had received “credible” threats of violence ahead of the event.

“We have received credible intelligence from our law enforcement agencies that there are groups with malicious plans for the rally that is planned for Monday,” Northam said on Wednesday.

Additionally, the governor said state agencies had seen information that showed “out-of-state militia groups and hate groups planning to travel from across the country to disrupt our democratic process with acts of violence.”

In a tweet, NBC 12 reporter Eric Perry shared some of the threats that state officials were concerned about.

Governor Northam says they have received threats of storming the Capitol Building, weaponized drones and others. This is one reason why he's declaring a state of emergency for Richmond @NBC12

— Eric Perry (@Ericperrytv) January 15, 2020

A post on the VCDL’s Facebook page — written by several state Republican senators — described participants as “decent, law-abiding citizens” seeking to exercise their First Amendment rights.

“The thousands of Virginians who plan on rallying at the Capitol on Monday are decent, law-abiding citizens,” the post said, adding, “They plan on utilizing their First Amendment rights to defend their Second Amendment rights. That strikes us as being a very American – and very Virginia – exercise.”

https://www.facebook.com/VCDL.ORG/posts/3624362480914728

The group said it was “grateful” to law enforcement for their efforts to ensure people’s safety, but warned in its post that Northam’s emergency declaration might “heighten rather than assuage tensions.”

Tags: First AmendmentRalph Northam
Share196Tweet123
Bradley Cortright

Bradley Cortright

IJR, Senior Writer He's written for Independent Journal Review since 2019.

Advertisements

Top Stories June 10th
Top Stories June 7th
Top Stories June 6th
Top Stories June 3rd
Top Stories May 30th
Top Stories May 29th
Top Stories May 24th
Top Stories May 23rd
Top Stories May 21st
Top Stories May 17th

Join Over 6M Subscribers

We’re organizing an online community to elevate trusted voices on all sides so that you can be fully informed.





IJR

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Trusted Voices On All Sides

  • About Us
  • GDPR Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Editorial Standards & Corrections Policy
  • Subscribe to IJR

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Top Stories June 10th Top Stories June 7th Top Stories June 6th Top Stories June 3rd Top Stories May 30th Top Stories May 29th Top Stories May 24th Top Stories May 23rd Top Stories May 21st Top Stories May 17th