Trump administration sues Denver over assault weapons ban
Updated
Updated · Denverite · May 5
Trump administration sues Denver over assault weapons ban
13 articles · Updated · Denverite · May 5
The Justice Department says Denver’s 1989 law criminalising possession, sale and manufacture of certain firearms violates the Second Amendment after city officials rejected demands to stop enforcing it.
Mayor Mike Johnston and City Attorney Miko Brown called the federal challenge an overreach, while Police Chief Ron Thomas said fewer than 40 of 2,100 guns recovered last year were assault-style weapons.
The case appears to be the first federal challenge to Denver’s ban, and Colorado also rejected a DOJ demand over its 2013 large-capacity magazine restrictions.
How can 18th-century laws guide the legality of modern firearms that America's founders could never have imagined?
DOJ's 2026 Lawsuit Against Denver's 37-Year Assault Weapons Ban Sparks National Second Amendment Showdown
Overview
In April 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued an ultimatum demanding Denver end its assault weapons ban, claiming it violated the Second Amendment by banning commonly used firearms like AR-15s. Denver rejected this demand, backed by Colorado's Attorney General and citing public safety data showing the ban's effectiveness. The DOJ then filed a federal lawsuit, initiating a legal battle expected to move through courts and possibly reach the Supreme Court, which is already reviewing similar cases nationwide. This conflict highlights a deep tension between federal authority and local gun control efforts, with potential nationwide impacts on gun laws and public safety depending on the final rulings.