The Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. is exploring legal remedies to stop Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s emergency ban of firearms from the State Capitol grounds in advance of a massive pro-gun rally happening Monday.
VCDL explains that they have held rallies on the Capitol grounds since 2002, and this rally will be no different except for a larger attendance due to the newly elected Democrats in the state legislature’s promise to introduce gun control legislation.
“I’m sure that everyone has now heard that Governor Northam has declared a state of emergency and banned the carrying & possession of weapons on Capitol Square,” wrote VCDL.
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“VCDL believes that this gun ban is illegal. Our legal team is looking at our options and we will keep you advised as soon as we have a definitive plan.”
VCDL explained the legality of open carrying guns and weaponry during the rally according to Northam’s emergency declaration:
As it stands now, you can carry on 9th Street, or other nearby streets, as long as you don’t go into the fenced-in Capitol grounds area (or into any of the government buildings). There will be 17 magnetometers to speed up security for those wishing to be on the Capitol grounds, which puts you near the stage. You CAN have a knife with a blade LESS THAN 3 inches. Again, wait for final word on the Capitol grounds gun-ban situation over the weekend.
The group then slammed Northam for characterizing the event as dangerous, with plans to attack local government officials.
“The Governor claimed in his Executive Order that there has been credible intelligence gathered suggesting that the purpose of many of the participants in VCDL’s Lobby Day is not to peacefully assemble but instead is to foment ‘violence, rioting, and insurrection,’ wrote VCDL on Facebook.
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“Yet, neither the Governor nor any of his law enforcement has informed VCDL of any of these alleged threats.”
“The inflammatory rhetoric from Democrats (including the Governor, Attorney General, Congressman McEachin, Delegate Levine, and many others) regarding the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement and VCDL’s Lobby Day leads us to wonder if they really want Lobby Day to go peacefully.”
VCDL then claimed that Democrats now fear their constituents, and are acting accordingly.
“Democrats are afraid of the voters and want to portray this peaceful assembly of law-abiding gun owners in the worst possible way,” wrote VCDL. “They would love for it to degenerate to ‘violence, rioting, and insurrection’ in order to smear gun owners.
“Has the Democrat leadership actually invited violent groups to attend for the purpose of disrupting our peaceful assembly?”
VCDL then called for peaceful demonstrations at the rally.
“The eyes of the nation and the world are on Virginia and VCDL right now and we must show them that gun owners are not the problem.”
“Lead by example.”
https://www.facebook.com/VCDL.ORG/posts/3626268360724140?__tn__=K-R
