Judge Robert Payne, Eastern Virginia U.S. District Court

Judge Robert Payne

Eastern Virginia U.S. District Court

Robert E. Payne was born in 1941 in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. He earned an undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University and received a Juris Doctor from Washington and Lee University Law School. He served in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps of the United States Army for four years, then entered private practice in Richmond, Virginia. 

President George H.W. Bush nominated Payne to a seat on the bench of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. He was confirmed by the Senate and received his commission in May 1992.  He assumed senior status in May 2007. 

In the News…

Judge Robert E. Payne of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruled that a constitutional right exists to possess firearms and that federal laws blocking the sale of handguns to purchasers under the age of 21 violate that right. 

Judge Payne issued a temporary order blocking the enforcement of the law. A final order is expected in the coming weeks. The ruling affects federal laws but does not impact similar state laws passed by 19 of the states. 

In his ruling, Judge Payne wrote, “Because the statutes and regulations in question are not consistent with our nation’s history and tradition, they, therefore, cannot stand.” 

The Justice Department is expected to challenge the ruling. 

Contact this Leader…

Did you pray for Judge Payne today? You can let him know at:

The Honorable Robert Payne 
Eastern Virginia U.S. District Court 
Federal Courthouse 
701 East Broad Street 
Richmond, VA  23219


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