The annual lobby day in Richmond Virginia, running since 2003, has become the subject of a severe curtailing of gun rights as Democrat Governor Ralph Northam and city officials have attempted to limit the movements and rights of those who support the Second Amendment. The event organizers, the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL), are expecting a high turnout this year despite the State of Emergency being declared by the Governor’s office which prohibits the carrying of weapons of any kind.
Liberty Nation’s Legal Affairs Editor Scott D. Cosenza is on the ground and will be sending in updates, pictures, videos, and running commentary throughout the event. Stick with us and keep checking back in as we bring you the very latest from Richmond, Virginia.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE VIDEOS IN RICHMOND
Live Updates:
Virginia Sheriffs: We Support the Second Amendment #VirginiaRally pic.twitter.com/uaDpBvVWdT
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) January 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/Real_Matty_Mac/status/1219291211040808960
This pro-2A protester in Richmond just blew the doors off of every Democrat talking point on guns: pic.twitter.com/gI2AGzItlc
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) January 20, 2020
Liberty Nation’s Scott D. Cosenza on the ground in Richmond says: “It’s the most polite crowd I’ve ever seen at a large event. More pleases, thank yous, and excuse mes then a person could imagine. A well-armed society is indeed a polite one.”
Huge crowds at Virginia Gun Rally. No signs of trouble.#VirginiaRally #GunRightsRally #Virginia2A #2ARally #RichmondRally pic.twitter.com/432louMzlV
— Liberty Nation (@libertynation) January 20, 2020
Only government aircraft allowed at Virginia Gun Rally.#VirginiaRally #GunRightsRally #richmondrally pic.twitter.com/IP28ciHvDw
— Liberty Nation (@libertynation) January 20, 2020
Virginia Gun Rally Signs and Rallygoers.
Armed militia members marching thru Richmond gun rights rally. This man came from Louisiana. Says Virginia gun laws are coming so quickly that he felt compelled to defend 2A #LobbyDay2020 #VirginiaRally pic.twitter.com/iQr4EHLsiU
— Daniella Cheslow (@DaniellaCheslow) January 20, 2020
It’s not all about 2A at Virginia Gun Rally.
Truckers out in support in Richmond, Virginia.#VirginiaRally #Virginia2A #GunRightsRally pic.twitter.com/5CxIgLng9J
— Liberty Nation (@libertynation) January 20, 2020
Chants of “we will not comply” from gun rights protesters in Richmond. pic.twitter.com/BjEfniwMKP
— Gabe Gutierrez (@gabegutierrez) January 20, 2020
The event is still going strong. Where Virginians were supposed to meet up – behind the barriers and metal detectors – is far quieter than in the streets where thousands have turned up. Many exercising their Second Amendment rights.
One of the best signs I've seen all day #VirginiaRally pic.twitter.com/5VzJLuMIzN
— Alec Sears (@alec_sears) January 20, 2020
Richmond 2A crowds are absolutely enormous. Thousands of demonstrators arrived by 9am pic.twitter.com/v28O9uJvrV
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) January 20, 2020
Huge crowds and lots of flags on display at Richmond #GunRightsRally.#Virginia2A #2ARally #VirginiaRally pic.twitter.com/uqpXUamjVd
— Liberty Nation (@libertynation) January 20, 2020
Crowds in Richmond, Virginia are already massive and In the thousands
These does not look like domestic terrorists @RalphNortham pic.twitter.com/l5eKs7IJEW
— E (@ElijahSchaffer) January 20, 2020
Outside the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond. #Virginia2A #richmondrally pic.twitter.com/BmngV4iYDQ
— Philip Crowther (@PhilipinDC) January 20, 2020
Representation for the gay community is also in attendance at the 2nd amendment rally in Richmond, Virginia.
“Gun rights are also gay rights” #VirginiaRally #Richmond2ARally pic.twitter.com/ED98qLXsKL
— Mike Coudrey (@MichaelCoudrey) January 20, 2020
Rallygoers reciting the Pledge:
https://twitter.com/katrina_wiser/status/1219250916588736512
#richmondrally #Virginia2A #MAGA man it’s on in Richmond. Great #RalphNortham got to go chant and lots of USA chants. Signs are all pro liberty, no tyranny, and guns save lives. Peaceful so far…..big crowd @NRA @VCDL_ORG @POTUS pic.twitter.com/ErfbwVCABR
— YOLObaby (@JGB_free2b) January 20, 2020
It appears most attendees would rather keep their guns with them. Huge crowds outside, smaller crowds in the Gun Free Zone.
Modest crowd inside the gun-free Capitol grounds in Richmond for the gun rights protest, packed crowd in the streets outside, where citizens are allowed to carry firearms. pic.twitter.com/1HXvxJim1S
— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) January 20, 2020
A reminder for the folks of Virginia of Governor Northam’s blackface antics.
Richmond gun rights rally chants "USA!" and "Hey hey, ho ho, racist Ralph has got to go! pic.twitter.com/7BSiLPVghk
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) January 20, 2020
Alex Jones also on the ground in Richmond.
Alex Jones is on the ground in Richmond.#VirginiaRally #GunRightsRally #Virginia2A #2ARally pic.twitter.com/BIsQyaCk6O
— Liberty Nation (@libertynation) January 20, 2020
Some of the protest signs at the Virginia Gun Rights Rally pic.twitter.com/9XyJ4G6vLa
— Alec Sears (@alec_sears) January 20, 2020
Huge Crowds chanting “Northam Out!”
No wonder Antifa decided to stay home pic.twitter.com/Hsy18Er6SY
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) January 20, 2020
No anti-gun presence scene in the crowd nor any neo-Nazi types.
Long line to sign up to recall Governor Northam.
There is one way in and one way out of the capitol grounds. a choke point that trickles people in slowly after a full magnetometer and body inspection.
The photos are coming in fast and furious now. Make sure to also check out our Twitter feed @libertynation.
Long lines ahead of gun rights rally in Richmond pic.twitter.com/NQjxYm8lCJ
— Gabe Gutierrez (@gabegutierrez) January 20, 2020
According to multiple news sources, authorities are expecting trouble at today’s rally. This event has been taking place every year since 2003 without incident. What is different this year?
The narrative and spin have already begun before even the first people have arrived. Social media is awash with talk of “white nationalists” and “white domestic terrorists” descending on Richmond.
State and Capitol Police getting prepared for the rally:
RIGHT NOW: State and #Richmond police prepare for thousands of people from across the country to flood the Capitol for a gun- rights rally. @WAVY_News pic.twitter.com/bkOFtxXCLR
— Kiahnna Patterson (@KPattersonWAVY) January 20, 2020
Keep Checking Back for Live Updates.
