Virginia emergency: Governor bans weapons after getting threats from hate groups ahead of pro-gun rally
The ghosts of the 2017 violence in Charlottesville continue to haunt the authorities in Virginia. As a result, ahead of a major gun-rights demonstration, they have decided to ban all guns and weapons after receiving 'serious threats' from militia and hate groups.
Ralph Northam, the state’s Democratic governor, who is pushing for stronger anti-gun laws, said in a press conference held on Wednesday, January 15, about enforcing the temporary ban on all weapons around the state capitol building in Richmond over this weekend.
According to him, law-enforcement agencies have received intelligence reports that disruptive groups were planning to storm the capitol building during the rally planned next Monday, January 20, which is expected to draw thousands of people. The day will also mark the third anniversary of President Donald Trump’s tenure at the White House.
Northam doesn't want 2017 violence to repeat itself
Northam, who took over as the governor in January 2018, has found himself on a collision course with the gun-rights advocates over the gun-control legislation. The gun-rights advocates that include militia groups and ultra-conservative activists have planned a ‘Lobby Day’ rally to protest.
“'We’re seeing threats of violence. We're seeing threats of armed confrontation and assault on our capitol,” Northam, who was Virginia’s lieutenant governor during the time of Charlottesville violence in August 2017, said. He added that all efforts were being made to avoid a repetition of 2017, that even saw deaths, including that of a counterprotester.
“These are considered credible, serious threats from our law enforcement agencies,” he said adding that the threats included “extremist rhetoric” similar to what has been witnessed even before other major incidents like Charlottesville. Northam also added that no weapons -- including sticks, bats, chains, projectiles and firearms -- could be brought to the Capitol grounds. “It makes no sense to ban every other weapon but allow firearms when intelligence shows that armed militia groups plan to storm the Capitol,” he said.
Measures to toughen gun laws in Virginia are being undertaken, including universal background checks and ‘red flag’ laws, and they are quickly being ratified by the Senate and House. The Virginia Citizens Defense League -- the organizer of the rally -- has called the rally to persuade the lawmakers not to back the anti-gun measures.
It was only last week that Virginia lawmakers approved a new gun policy to ban firearms inside the Capitol and a nearby office building.