The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the city of Denver on Tuesday, challenging the municipality's ban on certain semi-automatic rifles that the city classifies as assault weapons.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the legal action, stating that "Denver's ban on commonly owned semi-automatic rifles directly violates the right to bear arms." The lawsuit represents the federal government's position that the local ordinance conflicts with constitutional protections under the Second Amendment.

The Denver ban targets specific categories of semi-automatic firearms that city officials have designated as assault weapons. The ordinance was enacted as part of local gun control measures, though specific details about when the ban took effect and its exact provisions were not immediately available.

The legal challenge comes as cities and states across the country have implemented varying approaches to gun regulation, particularly regarding semi-automatic rifles. Federal courts have issued mixed rulings on similar local and state-level restrictions in recent years.

The case is expected to proceed through federal court, where Denver will likely defend its ordinance while the Justice Department argues for its removal. The outcome could have implications for similar municipal gun restrictions nationwide.