Virginia Declares State of Emergency After Armed Militias Threaten to Storm the Capitol

The governor said law enforcement had intercepted “extremist rhetoric” similar to the lead-up to Charlottesville days before pro-gun activists are holding a rally.

In response to what he described as “credible intelligence” of threats of violence at an upcoming gun rights rally in Richmond, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency and will temporarily ban individuals from carrying firearms on Capitol grounds.

The governor said at a press conference Wednesday that authorities believe “armed militia groups plan to storm the Capitol” during the January 20 rally.

He also said that law enforcement had intercepted threats and “extremist rhetoric” similar to what was observed prior to the violent Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in August 2017. “We will not allow that mayhem and violence to happen here,” he said.

The decision to ban all weapons, including firearms, won’t sit well with the thousands of gun lovers who are expected to descend on Richmond to participate in what was billed as an open-carry affair and an opportunity to flex Second Amendment rights.

ICE releases photos after violent Minneapolis protests leave multiple alleged agitators arrested

Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Virginia nanny’s story, dentist murders charges, Barry Morphew’s plea

Libs Pounce on Trump’s ‘No Midterms’ Joke, but Forget They Seriously Called to End Midterms Under Obama

‘Worthless piece of crap’: GOP blasts DNC chief for equating Trump’s America with Iran’s repressive regime

Democrats claim shutdown victory after GOP defections revive Obamacare fight

WATCH: Hegseth Exhausts Japan’s Defense Minister with Intense Workout – US Medical Personnel to the Rescue

Canada drops US-aligned tariffs on Chinese EVs in ‘landmark’ trade deal

Unity wins out as Republicans swallow $643M in funding for Trump-opposed media agency

Schumer Pleads for Money and Denigrates ICE in White House Meeting with Trump

NTSB: Boeing Was Well Aware of Flaws Linked to UPS Cargo Plane Before Deadly Kentucky Crash

Renee Good was shot four times, including in the head, fire report shows

Trump admin warns of ‘widescale doxxing’ of ICE if House Dem’s new bill passes

Sen John Fetterman calls for Democrats to ‘resist’ advocacy of ‘extreme’ stances like abolishing ICE

Socialist mayor pays ethics fine after failing to disclose $10K contribution from parents

Photos reveal Virginia nanny took slain wife’s place in master bedroom weeks after love triangle murders

“No weapons will be allowed on Capitol grounds,” said Northam, a Democrat. “Everything from sticks and bats to chains and projectiles…. The list also includes firearms. It makes no sense to ban every other weapon but allow firearms when intelligence shows that armed militia groups plan to storm the Capitol.”

On the Facebook page for the rally, several attendees are already saying they won’t comply and leave their weapons at home — even though Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has vowed a hard line on rule-breakers. “Violations of the law will not be tolerated,” Stoney said.

The January 20 event, dubbed “Lobby Day,” was organized by the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a pro-Second Amendment nonprofit, in response to new gun control legislation introduced by the Democrat state Legislature. Northam acknowledged that the organizers had been planning the rally for some time. “I believe them when they say this is a peaceful event — that’s what democracy is,” said Northam. “Unfortunately, they have unleashed something much larger, something they may not be able to control.”

Upwards of 5,000 people said on the Facebook page that they plan to attend. Event organizers have warned the state that as many as 100,000 could show up.

A website for the rally shows that at least 60 buses are scheduled to transport attendees into Richmond on Monday. And there’s word that carpools are being organized. What’s more, armed militia groups are also planning to attend, and some have even described the event as a “boogaloo” — a term that the far right uses to describe a second civil war.