DOJ sues Denver over ban on ‘assault weapons’
Fox News • • nation
Key Points:
- The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Denver, Colorado, alleging the city's ban on certain semi-automatic rifles violates the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
- The complaint argues that Denver's ordinance, which criminalizes possession of so-called "assault weapons" like AR-15 style rifles, uses politically charged terminology and unlawfully restricts commonly owned firearms.
- Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and city officials rejected the DOJ's demand to repeal the ban, emphasizing the law's 37-year history of protecting public safety and reflecting community values.
- The DOJ's Civil Rights Division, led by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, stated it will vigorously defend Americans' rights to possess firearms commonly owned nationwide.
- The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to overturn Denver's ordinance, with the city maintaining it has the legal authority to regulate firearms within its borders.
