CHICAGO (CBS) ― The U.S. Supreme Court says Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting, and the ruling will likely invalidate the 26-year-old ban on handguns in the City of Chicago.
In fact, the Illinois State Rifle Association has already filed a lawsuit challenging the Chicago ban.
The 5-4 ruling specifically struck down a ban on handguns in Washington, D.C. The court ruled that the District of Columbia's 32-year-old ban on handguns is incompatible with gun rights under the Second Amendment. The decision goes further than even the Bush administration wanted, and leaves most gun laws intact, but could invalidate Chicago's.
The Supreme Court ruling does not automatically invalidate the Chicago handgun ban, but opens up the possibility of a court challenge that could get it declared unconstitutional.
The Illinois State Rifle Association filed a lawsuit with just that purpose in mind at 9:15 a.m.
The National Rifle Association also plans to file lawsuits in Chicago and several suburbs, as well as San Francisco, challenging handgun restrictions there based on Thursday's outcome.
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/supreme.court.handguns.2.757471.html
