Denver Rejects Federal Demand to Repeal Assault Weapons Ban

Denver Rejects Federal Demand to Repeal Assault Weapons Ban

Published on May 04, 2026

Mayor Mike Johnston was joined today by public safety and civic leaders in rejecting a demand from the U.S. Department of Justice to repeal the city's longstanding ban on assault weapons. The demand, which suggested a lawsuit would be filed if Denver does not comply, came last week in a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mayor Johnston called the action a sweeping overreach of the federal government. He was joined Monday by Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas, City Councilwoman Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, the Denver City Attorney's Office, leaders from Everytown for Gun Safety, and Tom Mauser, whose son Daniel was murdered in the shooting at Columbine High School.

"Our first job is to keep Denverites safe, and we will not be intimidated out of doing it," said Mayor Mike Johnston. "Denver's law has stood for 37 years because it works, it saves lives, and it reflects the values of our community. No demand or lawsuit from Washington is going to change that."

"This ordinance has helped keep Denver safe for decades," said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. "Repealing it would put my officers and our residents at greater risk and would violate our duty to protect and serve our city."

Denver's law was passed in 1989 and restricts the possession and sale of guns with magazines carrying more than 15 rounds. Denver retains clear legal authority to regulate firearms within its borders to protect public safety, and the ordinance is consistent with both Colorado law and the U.S. Constitution.

"Assault weapons take lives- that's what they're made for," said Councilwoman Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez. "I'm proud of our city's longtime decision to ban these weapons, and we will fight back to protect our students, our families, and our loved ones should the Trump Administration try to take these protections away."

"If the DOJ's threat succeeds, Denver residents will be less safe. Assault weapons are weapons of war, and they have absolutely no place in our communities. It is heartbreaking that this would even be a question after the horrific events in Columbine, Aurora, and Boulder," said Janet Carter, managing director of Second Amendment litigation at Everytown Law. "Denver's life-saving ban is constitutional, and courts nationwide - including six federal appeals courts - have overwhelmingly upheld similar measures. We are proud to stand with Mayor Johnston and the city of Denver as they lead with courage, and will fight tirelessly to ensure this vital public safety measure remains in place."

Denver's city attorney sent a formal response to the DOJ today, which you can read here alongside the initial letter. The DOJ's demand comes as the Trump administration has moved to weaken gun safety regulation more broadly, including recent rollbacks at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that loosen oversight of firearm dealers and reopens the gun show loophole.

Mayor Johnston has made public safety the centerpiece of his administration, with homicides falling last year to the second lowest rate since 1990. In addition, Denver has filed five lawsuits and five amicus briefs against the Trump Administration to preserve Congressionally appropriated funding, push back against National Guard and ICE deployments in cities, protect reproductive rights, and preserve the city's values around equity, diversity, and immigration. In March, a federal judge sided with Denver and Colorado in dismissing an attempt by the Trump Administration to overrule local immigration policies.

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