Judge Says Northam’s Gun-Range Shutdown Violates State Law – By Stephen Gutowski (Free Beacon) / April 27 2020
Ruling could set off domino effect on ranges in state
A Virginia judge ruled on Monday that Democratic governor Ralph Northam’s shutdown of indoor gun ranges violates state gun-rights protections.
Judge F. Patrick Yeatts of the 24th Judicial Circuit of Virginia ruled in favor of a Lynchburg firing range that challenged Northam’s statewide shutdown order. He said the governor’s emergency powers are limited under Virginia law and cannot restrict the “otherwise lawful possession, carrying, transportation, sale, or transfer of firearms.”
“The governor appears to argue that, when he declares a state of emergency, he can ignore any law that limits his power, even laws designed to limit his power during a state of emergency,” Yeatts wrote. “The Court cannot agree with such an expansive interpretation of the Governor’s authority.”
Yeatts limited the scope of his ruling even as he granted a temporary injunction barring the state from closing Lynchburg Range & Training LLC. The decision does not apply to all ranges in the state, but guns-rights groups that helped file the suit said it lays the groundwork for eventually overturning the statewide ban. Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, said it could have a domino effect as other gun ranges file suit.
Continue to article: https://freebeacon.com/coronavirus/judge-says-northams-gun-range-shutdown-violates-state-law/
