DEVELOPING: Governor Northam declares state of emergency to prep for gun rally in Richmond

Just hours after banning weapons from Capitol Square, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has made an executive order declaring a state of emergency in anticipating of what he calls tens of thousands descending on Richmond next week for a gun-rights rally, including some that he says will not assemble peacefully.

Northam called the move a precautionary measure and used the events of the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville in 2017 as an example of supplying safe spaces around the Capitol for all to speak their opinions. The order goes into effect on Friday to allow state resources to prepare for the rally.