DOJ Lawsuit Targets D.C. AR-15 Ban Using Civil Rights Law, Sparks Alarm
A federal lawsuit challenging Washington, D.C.’s ban on AR-15-style rifles is escalating into a broader legal fight over how gun laws can be enforced and contested.
The case is drawing concern from former Justice Department attorneys, who warn the government’s legal strategy could stretch federal authority in ways that extend beyond firearms policy.
According to The Washington Post, the Justice Department argues D.C.’s restriction on semiautomatic weapons violates the Second Amendment and improperly blocks firearms considered in “common use.” The lawsuit also leans on a civil rights statute from 1994 typically used to investigate police misconduct.
That approach is now at the center of the dispute. Former DOJ officials and advocacy groups, including Brady United and Giffords Law Center, filed legal briefs backing D.C., arguing the statute is being misapplied to challenge legislation rather than policing practices.
“This lawsuit by the Trump Justice Department is just an extremely bizarre use of this statute,” said Douglas Letter of Brady United.
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The stakes extend beyond the District. Critics say if the argument succeeds, it could open the door for federal challenges to a wide range of local laws using tools originally designed for civil rights enforcement.
At the same time, the DOJ maintains the case is about protecting constitutional rights, pointing to Supreme Court precedent that protects commonly owned firearms for lawful purposes like self-defense.
D.C. officials have moved to dismiss the lawsuit, calling it an unprecedented attempt to override locally enacted gun restrictions.
The next phase will likely hinge on how federal courts interpret both the Second Amendment and the scope of the civil rights statute being used.
For now, the case is poised to become a key test of how far federal power can go in reshaping local gun laws.
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