A judge has ruled that Gov. Ralph Northam's State of Emergency banning guns from the Virginia Capitol grounds during a pro-gun rally scheduled for next week is constitutional.

H/T: WHSV/ABC3

*BREAKING* A judge has DENIED a request to block Gov. Northam's Executive Order. — Mark Herring (@MarkHerringVA) January 16, 2020

In his ruling, the Judge wrote, "The Capitol Square in Richmond, Virginia contains office buildings for many state employees,” continuing further “these buildings are sensitive locations, as they are 'sufficiently integrated with the Capitol.'”

Responding to the Judge's ruling, Gov. Northam said in a statement, “I’m grateful to the Circuit Court for recognizing the seriousness of these threats, and for upholding this reasonable, legal action to protect all Virginians, including demonstrators and policymakers. I will continue to do everything in my power to keep Virginians safe.”

This is the right decision. I took this action to protect Virginians from credible threats of violence. These threats are real—as evidenced by reports of neo-Nazis arrested after discussing plans to head to Richmond with firearms. Read my full statement:https://t.co/UE4WSbvOIL https://t.co/8Ex7WzBs1P — Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) January 16, 2020

Northam had announced the ban on Wednesday, declaring a state of emergency over threats of “armed militia groups storming our Capitol." While announcing his executive order, Northam admitted that Monday's NRA event had been peaceful.

A judge has denied a request for an injunction against Governor Ralph Northam's temporary gun ban for Capitol Square. https://t.co/UOR2brziS7 — CBS19 News: Charlottesville News First (@CBS19News) January 16, 2020

VA State of Emergency STANDS

• Richmond judge denied an injunction sought by a Virginia gun group.



• Gov Northam says: “These threats are real—as evidenced by reports of neo-Nazis arrested this morning after discussing plans to head to Richmond with firearms.”#breaking @WUSA9 — Mike Valerio (@MikevWUSA) January 16, 2020

From the The Resurgent article cited by Gabriella Hoffman below: “In a new injunction jointly filed by Gun Owners of America and Virginia Citizens Defense League to challenge Executive Order 49, Governor Ralph Northam, as state senator, apparently voted in favor of HR 20. This is the law he just violated by designating certain areas of Capital Square as a “shelter” to prevent legal carrying of firearms leading up to Lobby Day in our state capital.”