About noon on Wednesday, January 15, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in Virginia and issued Executive Order 49,  which temporarily bans the possession or carrying of firearms in Richmond on Lobby Day (Monday, January 20).  On, Thursday, January 16, about noon, Gun Owners of America, the Virginia Citizens Defense League, and three individuals filed a Complaint and Application in the the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond, seeking a temporary injunction against the Governor’s order. 

A hearing was held before Judge Joi Jeter Taylor from 1:30 to 2:30 pm.  Judge Taylor issued an Order denying their Application at 4:31 pm.  (This led to them filing an Emergency Petition for Review in the Virginia Supreme Court about 6:00 pm).

About 6:00 pm January 16, GOA, VCDL, and individuals filed in the Virginia Supreme Court an Emergency Petition for Review asking the Court to enjoin Governor Northam’s Executive Order banning firearms on the grounds of the Virginia Capitol, as unauthorized by law, in violation of law (Virginia Code section 44-146.15) , and unconstitutional.

After filing their Emergency Petition for Review on the evening of January 16, at about 9:15 am January 17, the Solicitor General of Virginia filed his Response in Opposition.  GOA, et. al. filed a Reply to that Opposition about 1:00 pm.  The Virginia Supreme Court issued an Order denying their Petition for Review about 6:15 pm.