Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley, who was arrested by the FBI last week, has been ordered by a federal judge to surrender his firearms.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robin Meriweather made the order Thursday as Kelley awaits trial over misdemeanor charges related to his presence at the January 6 Capitol riot, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Kelley’s lawyer objected to the ruling, arguing Kelley needs to be able to carry his firearm since he has no paid security. “He asked that he be permitted to carry his firearm for his own self-defense, during the campaign,” attorney Gary Springsteen said.
Meriweather sympathized with Kelley’s argument. “I do understand the concern,” she said, according to the Free Press. However, the federal judge ultimately ruled that other factors, “including the safety of pre-trial services officials who will need to visit Kelley’s home” determined her ruling.
For his part, Kelley has acknowledged attending the events in Washington, D.C., on January 6, but he denies ever entering the Capitol building or committing any crimes. Kelley could not respond to a Daily Wire request to comment on the federal judge’s order at the time of publication.
According to a criminal complaint, Kelly is charged with four misdemeanors, including entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct, knowingly engaging in an act of physical violence against a person or property, and willfully injuring property.
A poll released Thursday conducted by the Free Press shows Kelley leading the GOP field of five candidates who qualified for the August 2 primary ballot. The Free Press reported that Kelley’s arrest last week “appears to have boosted his name recognition and favorability among GOP voters in Michigan.”
Kelley came out on top in the poll with 17%, while chiropractor Garrett Soldano came in second, and businessman Kevin Rinke came in third with 13% and 12%, respectively. Political commentator Tudor Dixon (5%) and retired Pastor Ralph Rebandt (1%) finished fourth and fifth in the poll, but with more than a month still remaining until the primary and 45% of potential voters still remaining undecided, the Republican race is still wide open.