Justice Department Sues Denver over Assault Weapons Ban

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Denver, Colorado, alleging the city unconstitutionally bans certain constitutionally protected semi-automatic rifles.

"These laws unconstitutionally infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms in common use for lawful purposes," the Justice Department said.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement, "The Constitution is not a suggestion and the Second Amendment is not a second-class right. Denver's ban on commonly owned semi-automatic rifles directly violates the right to bear arms. This Department of Justice will vigorously defend the liberties of law-abiding citizens nationwide."

The DOJ said the city enforces an ordinance that makes it a crime to possess so-called "assault weapons." The ban includes AR-15-style rifles, the most popular rifles in America. Law-abiding Americans own tens of millions of such rifles.