Justice Dept. Sues Denver and Colorado to Overturn Local Gun Safety Laws

The Justice Department has launched a brazen legal offensive against Colorado’s gun safety laws, filing lawsuits to dismantle Denver’s ban on assault weapons and the state’s restrictions on large-capacity magazines. These moves are part of a broader Trump administration pattern of siding with gun manufacturers and the NRA to undermine local efforts aimed at reducing gun violence.

Denver’s assault weapons ban, in place for 37 years, prohibits the possession of military-style rifles like the AR-15, which officials argue are not needed for self-defense but instead pose a grave threat to public safety. Mayor Mike Johnston fired back at the federal lawsuit with a defiant “hell no,” emphasizing that the ban has saved lives and reflects the community’s values.

Meanwhile, Colorado’s statewide ban on magazines holding more than 15 rounds is designed to slow down shooters, giving potential victims a critical window to escape mass shooting attacks. Governor Jared Polis vowed to “vigorously defend” this law, which embodies the will of Coloradans demanding sensible gun regulations.

The Trump administration, represented by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, claims these laws violate the Second Amendment rights of “law-abiding citizens” to own commonly used firearms and accessories. The DOJ insists the Constitution’s guarantee to bear arms is not “a suggestion” or “a second-class right,” framing these local restrictions as unconstitutional overreach.

This legal battle echoes similar Justice Department lawsuits targeting gun restrictions in other jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia. Civil rights and gun violence prevention groups like Brady and the Giffords Law Center have joined those local governments in fighting back, arguing that these bans are critical to public safety and consistent with constitutional precedent.

The Supreme Court’s 2008 Heller decision affirmed an individual’s right to possess firearms for lawful purposes such as self-defense in the home, but it left open the question of reasonable regulations on dangerous weapons. Denver officials maintain that assault rifles and high-capacity magazines fall outside the scope of protected arms because of their lethal potential and lack of necessity for personal defense.

At stake is whether communities can enact laws tailored to prevent mass shootings and gun-related deaths or whether the Trump Justice Department will continue to weaponize the courts to roll back decades of progress. For Coloradans and the nation, this fight is about more than legal technicalities — it’s about the right to live in safe neighborhoods free from the terror of gun violence.

We will keep tracking this case as it unfolds, holding the Trump administration accountable for its relentless assault on democratic efforts to protect public health and safety.

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