Trump administration sues Denver over assault weapon ban, a day after mayor vowed to fight feds
DENVER - The U.S. Department of Justice sued Denver on Tuesday over the city's longstanding ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, making good on its threat to do so if city officials did not end the ban voluntarily.
City officials responded to the Trump administration's threat to sue with defiance Monday, vowing to defend the city's 37-year-old ordinance. The city law prohibits the sale or possession of assault weapons, defined as semiautomatic pistols or centerfire rifles with a fixed or detachable magazine that can carry more than 15 rounds, as well as any semiautomatic shotgun with a folding stock or a magazine capacity of six or more rounds.
The Justice Department lawsuit argues that the city's ban is unconstitutional and runs afoul of the Second Amendment's right to bear and keep arms.
"The Constitution is not a suggestion and the Second Amendment is not a second-class right," Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a news release. "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."
The Justice Department filed the lawsuit a day after city officials stood on the steps of the Denver City and County Building and vowed to defend the ban after receiving the demands and threat of a lawsuit last week.
"There are too many Coloradans we've had to say goodbye to in too many places because of the impact of assault weapons," Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said during Monday's news conference. "…We've actually refused to accept the status quo and made significant changes that made the state safer."
The Justice Department also demanded Colorado officials end the state's ban on large-capacity magazines or face a lawsuit. No complaint had been filed against the state by mid-afternoon Tuesday.
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This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 3:49 PM.