DOJ Challenges Denver’s Ban on Semi-Automatic Firearms

The Department of Justice announced on Tuesday its intention to sue Denver, Colorado, over a ban on modern semi-automatic firearms, specifically mentioning AR-15s.

This ban had been in place since 1989, implemented shortly after a tragic incident in which a gunman with a prior arrest record used a firearm similar to an AK-47 to kill several children at a daycare in Stockton, California. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division argued that banning so-called “assault weapons” infringes on the rights of those who legally own AR-15s, which typically come with a 30-round magazine, their standard capacity.

“Many Americans choose to possess AR-15-style rifles with standard-capacity magazines, using them for various legal purposes, including self-defense,” the Justice Department noted in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Colorado.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon highlighted the division’s efforts to protect law-abiding citizens from unnecessary restrictions under the Second Amendment. “No one should have to fear criminal penalties for exercising a right shared by millions, regardless of where they live,” she stated.

The complaint further explained that Denver’s ban effectively restricts a weapon commonly utilized by law-abiding residents for legitimate reasons, which constitutes a violation of the Second Amendment. “This action is intended to safeguard the rights of Denver citizens, whose rights have been, and continue to be, undermined,” it added.

Denver’s Democratic Mayor Mike Johnson did not respond immediately to inquiries regarding the lawsuit.

The term “assault weapon” is often used by gun control supporters to advocate for the prohibition of certain semi-automatic firearms that may appear similar to fully automatic models. According to estimates by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, over 24 million “modern sporting rifles,” including AR-15s, were in circulation as of July 2022.

Dhillon remarked, “We are committed to shielding law-abiding Americans from these legislative restrictions. The right to own a firearm, enjoyed by tens of millions of citizens, should not come with the threat of legal penalties.”

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stressed the importance of constitutional rights, declaring, “The Constitution isn’t merely a suggestion, and the Second Amendment isn’t a second-class right. Denver’s ban violates the right to bear arms, and the DOJ will fight vigorously for the freedoms of law-abiding citizens everywhere.”

Colorado’s Democratic Governor Jared Polis has put forth a similar statewide ban, which could potentially take effect in 2025. The Justice Department has not yet commented on the possibility of challenging this law in court.

An NRA leader commended the Trump administration for its legal action against Denver’s firearm regulations. “This lawsuit aligns with what gun owners desire,” claimed NRA-ILA Executive Director John Comerford. He added that it’s crucial for progressive politicians to be held accountable for infringing upon the rights of responsible citizens.