Ja Rule Charge Stands

Ja Rule lost his bid Jan. 20 to keep a loaded gun found in his luxury car from being used against him in a New York weapons-possession case.

The 33-year-old Ja Rule has pleaded not guilty to a charge stemming from 2007, when the gun was found during a police stop after a concert.

The defense claims the stop was unjustified. Prosecutors say the stop was warranted because the car did not have insurance and its registration was suspended.

The judge denied Ja Rule’s argument and threw out the rapper’s statement to police that he had a bit of marijuana in his pocket.

The rapper isn’t charged with drug possession.

He faces four years in prison if convicted of criminal possession of a firearm.