Gun Rights Groups Appeal Ban on Arms at Upcoming Virginia Rally

A gun rights activist carries his handgun in a hip holster outside the Virginia State Capitol building as the General Assembly prepares to convene in Richmond, Virginia, on Jan. 8, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Drake

Gun rights advocacy organizations on Jan. 17 filed an emergency appeal of a judge’s ruling that upheld the Virginia governor’s ban on firearms ahead of a gun rights rally expected to draw thousands of supporters to the state capitol.

A day earlier, The Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) and Gun Owners of America (GOA) issued an injunction against the temporary ban, but Judge Joi Taylor ruled that Gov. Ralph Northam had the authority under state law to take action related to “the safety and welfare” of the state.