Staff Reports
The Justice Department just walked into a Colorado courtroom and picked a fight with the City of Denver. The federal government filed suit this week saying Denver’s long‑standing ordinance that bans so‑called “assault weapons” illegally takes away the rights of law‑abiding citizens. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche made the point bluntly: “The Constitution is not a suggestion and the Second Amendment is not a second‑class right.”
What the DOJ is arguing
The DOJ’s complaint says Denver’s law outlaws AR‑15‑style semi‑automatic rifles and standard‑capacity magazines that are “in common use” for lawful purposes. That phrase matters: it goes back to the Supreme Court’s Heller decision, which protects weapons commonly used by citizens. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon has steered the Civil Rights Division’s new Second Amendment Section to take these cases. The Justice Department even tried to get Denver to stop enforcing the rule and to negotiate first. When that failed, the feds filed suit — and they quickly filed a separate case against Colorado over magazine limits, so this is clearly a coordinated push.
Denver pushes back — loudly
Predictably, the city didn’t roll over. Denver’s City Attorney Michiko “Miko” Brown called the DOJ demand “baseless, irresponsible, and a clear overreach,” and Mayor Mike Johnston answered the federal request with a one‑liner everyone remembered: “Our answer is, ‘Hell, no.’” Colorado’s Attorney General Phil Weiser also vowed to defend state law. In other words, this fight is now both legal and political, with city and state leaders pledging courtroom resistance while the Justice Department argues constitutional protection for citizens who own these guns.
Why this lawsuit matters beyond Denver
This is not just a local dust‑up. The case tests where the line is between public‑safety rules and constitutional rights after the Supreme Court’s recent rulings such as Bruen. Lower courts have split on whether bans on certain rifles and magazines survive judicial review. If the DOJ wins here, it could rip a hole in similar local ordinances across the country. If Denver prevails, local governments will feel encouraged to keep strict rules in place. Either way, expect fast motions, appeals, and lots of legal fireworks up the ladder to higher courts. The stakes are high for gun owners and for cities that claim they are protecting public safety.
Constitutional arguments should be about rights and clear law, not political theater. The DOJ says it is defending a right millions of Americans exercise today. Denver says it is defending local safety rules. Both sides will get their day in court. For now, the national debate over guns has moved from city hall to federal court, and it promises to be a loud, legal showdown that will shape policy for years. Buckle up — this fight is only just beginning.
