The Monday news from Virginia has been reported with almost palpable disappointment: More than 20,000 turned out in Richmond for their Second Amendment right to bear arms without violence. In the runup to the rally many, including Gov. Ralph Northam, pushed the idea that this was going to be another Charlottesville. But the gun owners even picked up their own trash.

The protest was organized in response to gun-control measures expected to pass the new Democratic state legislature. Three approved by the Senate would ban guns...