No guns allowed for fired Virginia officers charged in Capitol riot, judge says

(Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

A judge has declined to allow two fired police officers from Virginia to carry firearms while they await trial on charges related to the U.S. Capitol riot.

The Roanoke Times reported that a federal judge in Washington reaffirmed the weapons ban at a hearing on Thursday for the former officers from the town of Rocky Mount.

READ MORE: Two Virginia police officers charged in connection with US Capitol riot

Judge Christopher Cooper had instituted the firearm restriction for Jacob Fracker, 29, and Thomas Robertson, 47, shortly after their arrests in January.

A defense lawyer for Fracker said Thursday that the weapons ban should not apply to his client.

"He has made many, many arrests on violent and dangerous people over his career path," Fracker attorney Bernard Crane said. "He needs his firearm for personal protection."

Crane said he may present a sealed motion in the future on Fracker’s behalf that identifies "specific people that he’s arrested that have a propensity for violence" and also disclose "their proximity to his residence."

Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and Weather

Robertson’s attorney said he wanted the same leeway for his client.

The men have maintained in interviews that they took no part in the violence that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. They each face charges of obstruction of an official proceeding, remaining in a restricted building and disorderly conduct.