Justice Dept. Sues Denver Over Gun Ban
The U.S. Department of Justice sued Denver, Colorado, on May 5, 2026, over its ban on semi-automatic rifles, citing Second Amendment violations.
Cuneyd Erdogan ·
DOJ Sues Denver Over Weapons Ban The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against the City of Denver, Colorado, on May 5, 2026, alleging that the city's ban on certain semi-automatic rifles violates the Second Amendment rights of its citizens. The lawsuit contends that Denver's ordinance, which criminalizes the possession of so-called “assault weapons” including AR-15-style rifles, infringes upon the right to bear arms for lawful purposes.
The DOJ's complaint highlights that AR-15-style rifles are among the most popular rifles in the United States, with tens of millions owned by law-abiding citizens. This action follows the U.S. Supreme Court's 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller , which affirmed the right of individuals to possess weapons in common use for lawful purposes.
The Civil Rights Division's newly established Second Amendment Section is leading the enforcement effort. This legal challenge aims to prevent local ordinances from restricting the possession of commonly owned firearms, asserting that such bans are unconstitutional. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for similar weapons bans in other municipalities across the nation.