Governor Ralph Northam isn’t making friends with gun activists right now. He has declared a state of emergency and has temporarily banned weapons from the Capitol grounds. This is all in advance of a gun-rights rally that has been planned for Monday.
The governor is citing that there are threats of “armed confrontation and assault” on the state capitol.
Throughout the Capitol complex and Capitol Square, firearms, chains, bats, sticks and other weapons will be banned from Friday to Tuesday.
On Monday, there is the traditional citizen lobbying day that happens in the state. Gun-rights groups organize a massive demonstration as a way of opposing some of the far-reaching bills that have been passed by the Virginia General Assembly, which has a Democratic majority.
Northam has been doing a lot recently that has gotten the attention of extremist groups and militias from across the country – and now there are security concerns in Richmond as a result.
Nonessential employees of the state have already been told not to come into work.
The governor, supported by Richmond mayor and a number of leaders within the police, made his announcement by first stating that he does believe in the right to assemble and bear arms. There’s a but, though. He said that authorities had received “credible intelligence” via dark web channels to identify that there were malicious plans in place by white nationalists outside of the state that planned on storming the Capitol and weaponizing drones.
Northam is concerned that the hate groups and out-of-state militias are not planning to protest peacefully. He said that they’re attending to intimidate and cause harm.
The governor also wanted to make sure that he did distinguish between the gun-rights activists who are law-abiding and who peacefully assemble at the Capitol versus the extremists that are intending on being violent. Essentially, Northam is stating that he wants to avoid the issue that occurred in Charlottesville in 2017 where a “Unite the Right” rally turned deadly.
House Republicans were initially critical of the ban that took place, preventing guns inside the Capitol of Richmond. However, with the threat of real violence, this is starting to lessen. The governor is also quick to acknowledge that it is a temporary ban since the event is planning to take place on Monday. By Wednesday morning, the ban will be lifted, allowing citizens to carry once again.
Republicans have also argued that because there are “agitators” working on their own volition, it is causing the issue of people not being able to exercise their Second Amendment or even their First Amendment rights.
It’s certainly a gray area. Do you remove Second Amendment rights temporarily in order to protect the entire population of a potential, perceived threat? Or, do you allow all guns to be permitted under the Second Amendment and risk a blood bath in the Capitol? There is no right or wrong answer. The Democratic governor is doing what he believes is right, and he’s being backed by city, state, and federal police officers. Further, Republicans don’t know what the right answer is.
Thomas K. Norment, the Senate Minority Leader for the state along with other GOP senators have questioned whether Northam has the authority to impose such a ban and if it is actually heightening tensions instead of reducing them.
Jack Wilson, the State Republican chairman, has been particularly critical of what Northam has done, saying that the Virginia Dems have created a citizenry that is “disarmed, vulnerable, and subservient.”
Gun control has been a continuous hot topic in Virginia, particularly with a deadly shooting that took place in Virginia Beach.
Virginia Citizens Defense League is a grass-roots group that turns out annually for the citizen lobbying day. They’re the ones behind Monday’s rally, and it proves to be larger than ever because of the Democratic legislature that has recently occurred, including requiring background checks and allowing localities to ban weapons from certain government buildings and events.
Northam has called on the VCDL to make the event peaceful and to not dishonor Virginia or their cause. The rallies created by the league have never been violent so it’s not expected they would now. This means that the entirety to Northam calling for the ban on weapons is because of the potential threat that would come from groups outside of Virginia who mean to create violence because of the ban on guns and for the various forms of legislation that have impacted law-abiding citizens throughout the state of Virginia. After all, if Virginia Dems are going to enact further laws, there’s the risk that other states will follow suit.
Like!! Thank you for publishing this awesome article.
Those in Va. planning 2 peacefully demonstrate 4 their Second Amendment right should b very aware of groups infiltrating, like Antifa, BLM, and others stirring up altercations 2 blame law abiding gun owners!!
Even posing as gun owners 2 start an incident like Charlottesville, with the Nazis and white supremacists…. wouldn’t b suprised if Northam has that scenario already planned 2 then confiscate weapons, which is his and the Dems. goal ultimately!!
A man that would murder a newborn baby is capable of ANYTHING!!
Just say’n….
THAT IDIOT IS GUILTY OF HIGH TREASON::: SEND HIM RIGHT TO GITOM :::: PLENTY OF ROPE FOR THE FESTIVITIES
I agree,a senator has already warned that it is a setup. Don’t be surprised to hear of this dirty governor pulling a fast one of some kind and as you said,anyone who wants to murder babies,will sink to any low and dirty trick.
Sounds to me like he is planning to replicate Krystal Nacht. Like Hitler, and Goebbels did in Germany. Probably already has his anti fa coward thugs in place, like Hitler’s SS. And SA.
I heard from someone who lives in Va. that 7 bus loads of Antifa thugs wearing MAGA hats and carrying weapons have already descended on Va.
Whoop, there it is!!
Put together and Sign a petition to remove the Nazi-socialistic demo ASAP
It is time to tell the governor and legislature in Virginia that this is not the Soviet Union or Cuba. American citizens have a right to bear and keep arms and the state has no say so! Get off your liberal/ communist power trip and listen to the people!
Republicans of Virginia, need to get themselves to the polls and remove all Democrats and RINOS at all future Elections. The rest of America needs to do the same! Communism, has no place in America!
These rallies have been held for years and have been traditionally peaceful!!! The only ones dishonoring Virginia are Northam and his cheerleaders in the MSM. All these citizens are of every race, creed, color and ethnicity. I don’t understand the absolute fixation on White Supremacists and White Nationalists that all of these anti gun activists have found to focus on. Northam and his Democrats desire to completely neuter the 2nd Ammendment by violating its main statement: “THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED “. Every time state legislatures make one of these so called “common sense” gun control laws they violate the Constitution.
Northam is a stinking liar! He is hoping for and has colluded to guarantee a violent conflict that he will blame on white supremacists. He had a killing zone constructed to contain/limit the exit of peaceful protestors and ensure maximum carnage if Antifa thugs (and other violent leftists) decide to attack from outside the gun free zone. This planned false flag event will be used to further the traitorous deconstruction of our sacred 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms in defense of our Constitutional Republic. Be forewarned patriots, this is the way the diapercrats roll and there is no evil they will not do to defeat us!
Virginians need to recall and impeach Gov Northam and the attorney general immediately…a strong message needs to be sent…seems like the NRA is wimping out on doing anything aggressive to get state officials removed from office anywhere these days…
I agree, that guns should not be allowed in Government buildings, at voting polls and other events, but what would stop the criminals from starting something to make it look like guns are the problem. Criminal’s and gangs with guns are the problem. When guns are taken from law abiding citizens, that just gives the the upper hand to gangs. Please don’t take away our ability to protect are rights. Also we have another threat that is growing. The 22 ISIS training camps that has been step up by Hillary and Obama
Just waiting on a signal to attack from them, so his agenda for his coup so Obama can become America’s first king. Please don’t be a part of the problem. Keep America strong by allowing homes to feel strong. MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!
If the shooting does start you know who to go for first.
Bloomberg then Ralphie blackface Northam.
Michael Bloomberberg should be publically ex ed cited for treason for throwing his money around to turn us into a nation being ran uh under a Nazi or Communist regime.
Oops!, me and my clumsy middle finger continuously keep hitting the Space bar.
I meant th ok say that Michael Bloomberg needs t ol be publically executed.
Damn!, did it again.
Got to proof read before you hit the post button. I have to or my posts make no sense. I have fingers with a mind of their own too. Lol
That little black speck on your face is also chicken shit, this guy suppose to be a leader just another Democrat that’s a woosey to scared to come out and face the american voters in public.
Ralph Northam, not doing very well with the majority. He doesn’t know what a gun confiscation involves, especially what history has taught us.
Ralph Northam, doesn’t see criminals protesting the gun confiscation. He sees law abiding citizens that know he’s taking their only home defense away from them.
It would take Virginia up to 25 years to find and confiscate the citizens guns, and probably another five years to fight the holdouts.
He also forgets he is challenging the American citizens of Virginia.
This Governor Northam wouldn’t even qualify as more than a San Francisco pooper scooper.
Michael Bloomberg called 2nd Amendment supporters, “Extremists”, while Not mentioning
that his Personal Security carries guns, to protect him!!
If it’s considered Extreme, to protect your family and yourself, count me in!
Dems will do anything, to get total control of this country, and they can’t do it, if people can protect themselves!
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Bloomberg called 2nd Amendment supporters, Extremists!
Remember this while he’s spending hundreds of millions of dollars, on getting himself, and Sick Warped Demo-Rats elected, to turn America into a Left Wing Giant Open Borders Sewer!
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