Story perspectives

DOJ Sues Colorado on Magazine, Assault-Weapon Bans

5/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

DOJ filed lawsuits on May 6, 2026 in Colorado court against the large-capacity magazine ban and Denver’s assault-weapon ordinance.
The suits cite Bruen “historical tradition” test and argue that high-capacity magazines and AR-15 rifles are used by Americans.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser defended magazine limits as reducing shooting deaths while Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and City Attorney Miko Brown called the DOJ action overreach and vowed to defend the ban.

History

Historical Context

Congress enacted the Federal Assault Weapons Ban on September 13 1994, signed by President Bill Clinton and authored by Senator Dianne Feinstein, prohibiting new semi-automatic rifles and magazines over ten rounds. The ten-year ban saw a 17 % drop in assault-weapon crimes before expiring in 2004. On May 6 2026, the DOJ sued Colorado’s attorney general and Denver’s mayor, invoking the Supreme Court’s Bruen test to challenge the state’s magazine restrictions.

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Story summary

DOJ filed lawsuits on May 6, 2026 in Colorado court against the large-capacity magazine ban and Denver’s assault-weapon ordinance.
The suits cite Bruen “historical tradition” test and argue that high-capacity magazines and AR-15 rifles are used by Americans.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser defended magazine limits as reducing shooting deaths while Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and City Attorney Miko Brown called the DOJ action overreach and vowed to defend the ban.

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