In a ruling issued on April 27th a Virginia Circuit Court ruled that Governor Northam’s order closing indoor shooting ranges was unconstitutional. The court said that the,
“The plaintiffs have demonstrated a depravation of the constitutional right to keep and bear arms, financial hardship for the business and employees, and lack of training access for its customers. There is also a risk in having new, untrained gun owners relying on those guns in self-defense without previously having had an opportunity to frre them at a range. The Court recognizes the immense pressure and responsibility the Governor has in reducing the spread of COVID-19. However, SafeSide has shown a willingness to conform with what is commonly called “social distancing” as well as the executive order limiting the range to ten patrons at a time. Other evidence like the dividers between shooters, a ventilation system drawing airflow away from shooters, and the HEP A filtration system, leads the Court to conclude that the balance of equities favors granting the temporary injunction.”
Read the Opinion Letter here: Lynchburg Range & Training, LLC d/b/a SafeSide Lynchburg, etc. v. Hon. Ralph S. Northam, et al.,