Former Virginia cops banned from owning guns ahead of trial for Capitol invasion

On Thursday, WSLS reported that a pair of former police officers from Rocky Mount, Virginia have been barred from possessing firearms ahead of their trial for their alleged role in the invasion of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.

At their virtual court hearing, Jacob Fracker, 29, and Thomas Robertson, 47, have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, which include obstructing an official proceeding and aiding and abetting disorderly conduct in a government building.

"Both men are currently released on recognizance, and because of that, they must follow certain requirements, one of which is not possessing firearms," said the report. "The prosecution felt the firearm restriction was, 'fully appropriate given the seriousness of the charges.'"

According to the report, the attorney for Fracker protested the order, saying that he needs to be able to protect himself as a retired police officer who has arrested suspects who live near him.

Fracker and Robertson are among dozens of accused Capitol rioters facing federal and state charges around the country for their role in the attack, which left five people dead. A disproportionate number of the rioters are current or former military or law enforcement; the so-called "eye gouger" is a retired NYPD officer who guarded Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks.