A gun-rights group filed an emergency appeal late Thursday of a judge's ruling upholding a ban on firearms at a pro-gun rally expected to draw thousands of gun activists to
Virginia next week.
The Virginia Citizens Defense League and Gun Owners of America had filed a lawsuit earlier in the day seeking an injunction against the ban, which Gov. Ralph Northam imposed for a rally scheduled to take place Monday on the grounds of the Virginia Capitol.
Judge Joi Taylor ruled Thursday that the governor has the authority under state law to take action related to "the safety and welfare" of the state.