Denver Democrats Reject DOJ’s Demand to Repeal City’s Unconstitutional ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban
by David Lindfield
Denver’s Democrat leadership is refusing to back down after the Trump administration demanded the city repeal its decades-old “assault weapons” ban, setting up a major Second Amendment showdown between Washington and Colorado officials.
Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon sent a formal demand letter on April 28 to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and City Attorney Miko Brown, ordering the city to repeal the ordinance or face potential legal action.
The law, which has been on the books since 1989, broadly bans the possession, sale, manufacture, storage, and carrying of so-called “assault weapons” inside Denver city limits.
But Denver officials made clear this week they have no intention of complying.
Denver Democrats Reject DOJ Demand
In a May 4 response letter, City Attorney Miko Brown defended the ordinance, claiming it has survived legal challenges for decades and helped reduce violent crime in the city.
“Reversing a common-sense ban that has worked for 37 years and bringing assault weapons back into the City’s neighborhoods is not one of them,” Brown wrote.
Mayor Mike Johnston echoed that position in a separate statement released the same day.
“Denver’s law has stood for 37 years because it works, it saves lives, and it reflects the values of our community,” Johnston said.
“No demand or lawsuit from Washington is going to change that,” he added.
Trump DOJ Warns Ban Violates Second Amendment
Dhillon’s letter warns that Denver’s ordinance directly violates the Second Amendment under Supreme Court precedent established in District of Columbia v. Heller.