Justice Department Sues the City of Denver for Unconstitutional Weapons Bans

[mountaineer]

Justice Department Sues the City of Denver for Unconstitutional Weapons Bans
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs

Today, the Justice Department filed suit against the City of Denver, Colorado alleging that the City unconstitutionally bans certain constitutionally protected semi-automatic rifles. These laws unconstitutionally infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms in common use for lawful purposes.

As the complaint explains, the City enforces an ordinance that makes it a crime to possess so-called “assault weapons.” But that the City’s ban includes AR-15-style rifles, which are the most popular rifles in America. Law-abiding Americans own tens of millions of rifles like those banned by the City. 

“The Constitution is not a suggestion and the Second Amendment is not a second-class right,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Denver's ban on commonly owned semi-automatic rifles directly violates the right to bear arms. This Department of Justice will vigorously defend the liberties of law-abiding citizens nationwide.”

“I have directed the Civil Rights Division, through our new Second Amendment Section, to defend law-abiding Americans from restrictions such as those we are challenging in these cases,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “Law-abiding Americans, regardless of what city or state they reside in, should not have to live under threat of criminal sanction just for exercising their Second Amendment right to possess arms which are owned by tens of millions of their fellow citizens.” ...
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-city-denver-unconstitutional-weapons-bans

[mountaineer]

AAGHarmeetDhillon
@AAGDhillon
I’ve directed the @CivilRights Division, through our new Second Amendment Section, to defend law-abiding Americans from unconstitutional restrictions. No one should face criminal penalties simply for exercising a right shared by tens of millions—regardless of where they live.
12:41 PM · May 5, 2026


Excellent!

[Sighlass]

Nice, it wasn't long ago Trump wasn't keen on protecting AR-15s at all. Glad to see the reversal.

[Elderberry]

'Hell no': Denver mayor responds to federal demand the city follow U.S. Constitution on guns

WND 5/5/2026

The city of Denver, action central for the agenda established by the state of Colorado to ignore the First Amendment, now is treating the Second Amendment the same way.

As something to be followed if there's nothing else the city, or state, wants to do.

But in this case there is, and Denver's mayor, Mike Johnston, has responded to a Department of Justice call for town officials to stay within the law with a resounding, "Hell no."

The situation is that the DOJ is suing the city over its enforcement of a so-called ban on "assault weapons."

Johnston's reaction, "We're here today to let them know that our answer is 'Hell no.'"

The derogatory term "assault weapons" is vague to the point other laws citing that term have been struck down.

Exactly what differentiates a weapon from an assault weapon is far from clear. The question arises over the difference between a fist and an "assault fist," or a baseball bat, and an "assault baseball bat."

The city's ordinance, around since 1989, makes it a crime to carry, store, keep, manufacture, or sell these weapons.

It claims a semiautomatic pistol or rifle with a capacity for more than 15 rounds is an assault weapon.

"If I go buy an AR-15 and then put a magazine in it that can hold more than 15 rounds, then it definitely would be banned," said Huey Laugesen, of the Colorado State Shooting Association.

But his organization's argument is that Denver's infringement of the Second Amendment remains unconstitutional.

More: https://www.wnd.com/2026/05/hell-no-denver-mayor-responds-federal-demand-city/