Story perspectives

Trump DOJ Sues Colorado, Denver Over Weapon Bans

5/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, sued Colorado and Denver over their large-capacity-magazine and assault-weapon bans.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon called bans political virtue-signaling that violates the Second Amendment.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser called the suit dangerous overreach, saying the magazine limit cuts mass-shooting deaths.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston rejected the DOJ demand, saying the 1989 assault-weapon ban has protected city for 37 years.

History

Historical Context

Congress passed the Federal Assault Weapons Ban on September 13 1994, banning 19 rifle models and magazines over ten rounds; the DOJ later noted a 6 % drop in gun-related homicides from 1994-2000. Today Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon’s DOJ suit challenging Colorado’s and Denver’s magazine limits revives the same legal clash that followed the ban’s 2004 expiration.

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Story summary

The Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, sued Colorado and Denver over their large-capacity-magazine and assault-weapon bans.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon called bans political virtue-signaling that violates the Second Amendment.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser called the suit dangerous overreach, saying the magazine limit cuts mass-shooting deaths.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston rejected the DOJ demand, saying the 1989 assault-weapon ban has protected city for 37 years.

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