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What: Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), joined by the Colorado State Shooting Association (CSSA), filed a new federal lawsuit, Elliott v. Denver, challenging Denver’s ban on so-called “assault weapons” and Denver’s and Colorado’s bans on magazines that can hold more than 15 rounds. The filing comes the same day the U.S. Supreme Court granted review in FPC’s Viramontes v. Cook County challenge to Cook County, Illinois’s “assault weapons” ban.

Who: The plaintiffs include FPC, CSSA, and individual FPC members. They are represented by David H. Thompson, Peter Patterson, and William V. Bergstrom of Cooper & Kirk, PLLC.

When: June 30, 2026.

Where: The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.

Why: The challenged bans unconstitutionally prohibit peaceable people from acquiring, possessing, and using firearms and magazines protected by the Second Amendment. This lawsuit is part of FPC’s nationwide strategy to eliminate bans on constitutionally protected arms throughout the United States.

Quotes:

“We filed this lawsuit to end Denver and Colorado’s war on gun owners and force these tyrants to respect the Second Amendment, whether they like it or not. This case is another critical step in our nationwide campaign to eliminate tyrannical bans on constitutionally protected firearms and magazines. Alongside our friends at CSSA and the FPC Grassroots Army, we’re proud to Fight Forward for all Coloradans and everyone who visits the Centennial State.” — FPC President Brandon Combs

“Denver’s ‘assault weapons’ ban and Colorado’s magazine restrictions don’t make anyone safer — they just turn law-abiding citizens into criminals for owning some of the most common firearms and components in America. The Colorado State Shooting Association is proud to stand alongside the Firearms Policy Coalition in challenging these unconstitutional laws, and it’s no coincidence the DOJ is challenging the same policies. The writing is on the wall for lawmakers who’ve ignored the Second Amendment for too long.” — Kolby Zipperer, Vice President, CSSA Read more

The Supreme Court of the United States denied Pennsylvania officials’ request for review (certiorari) in Firearms Policy Coalition’s Bivens case, formerly captioned Lara v. Paris and Lara v. Evanchick, leaving in place FPC’s Third Circuit victory against Pennsylvania laws that banned peaceable adults under 21 from carrying firearms outside the home.

After FPC first prevailed at the Third Circuit in January 2024, the Supreme Court vacated and remanded the case for further consideration after it issued the June 2024 United States v. Rahimi decision. The Third Circuit then issued a new decision again holding that Pennsylvania’s ban violates the Second Amendment. Pennsylvania officials asked the Supreme Court to review that decision, but the Court rejected their petition today.

The plaintiffs challenging Pennsylvania’s ban include FPC and the Second Amendment Foundation. The plaintiffs are represented by David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson, John D. Ohlendorf, and William V. Bergstrom of Cooper & Kirk, PLLC, along with Joshua Prince of Civil Rights Defense Firm, P.C.

Today’s Supreme Court action leaves in place FPC’s win securing the right to bear arms for peaceable 18-to-20-year-old adults in Pennsylvania. This win adds to FPC’s growing record of victories including those against age-based gun bans. It also strengthens FPC’s ongoing Pennsylvania carry-license challenge in Young v. Ott, which seeks to ensure that adults under 21 can apply for and obtain the carry licenses needed to lawfully carry in public, carry in vehicles, and carry in Philadelphia.

“Today’s Supreme Court order makes clear that Pennsylvania’s ban is finally dead. FPC and our Grassroots Army beat this immoral and unconstitutional ban twice at the Third Circuit, and now the Supreme Court has allowed that victory to take effect. That matters not only for this case, but for others where FPC is fighting to make sure peaceable 18-to-20-year-old adults can actually obtain carry licenses and exercise their right to bear arms throughout Pennsylvania, including in Philadelphia. Anti-rights governments do not get to deny the rights of peaceable adults, full stop. FPC and our Grassroots Army will keep Fighting Forward until every age-based ban is eliminated.” — FPC President Brandon Combs Read more