By Deborah Grigsby | The Denver Gazette
A lawsuit filed in federal court by three Denver residents and two gun rights groups aims to strike down the city’s “assault weapon” restrictions, along with bans on ammunition magazines holding 15 rounds or more.
The complaint, filed on June 30 by Ray Elliott, Trevor Alley and Michael Vitco, along with the Firearms Policy Coalition and the Colorado State Shooting Association, an arm of the National Rifle Association, alleges Denver’s semiautomatic firearm ban is unconstitutional, as is its ban on 15-round or larger magazines.
Naming the city government, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser, Colorado Bureau of Investigation Director Armando Saldate III, Colorado State Patrol Chief Col. Matthew Packard and Denver District Attorney John Walsh, the complaint seeks a permanent injunction under federal rules requiring the city to end its “unconstitutional” practices, implement reforms and prevent future constitutional violations.
Passed in 1989, Denver’s longstanding ban on assault-style weapons restricts the possession and sale of guns with magazines carrying more than 15 rounds.
According to court documents, the plaintiffs are seeking to legalize the ownership of semiautomatic weapons in Denver and Colorado for “law-abiding” and “responsible” adults for “lawful” purposes, including home defense, target shooting and practice and self-defense.
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