The United States Supreme Court has ruled, for the first time in the country's history, that individual Americans have the right to own guns for personal use. It struck down a strict gun control law in the U.S. capital, Washington.

Gun rights supporters hail the decision, while some others show their strong disappointment. Our Washington correspondent shanshan has more.

The Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling struck down the District of Columbia's ban on handguns. It's the first time in the US history that the court has clearly interpreted the Second Amendment of the Constitution since its ratification in 1791.

The amendment reads: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." The basic issue for the justices was whether the amendment protects an individual's right to own guns no matter what, or whether that right is somehow tied to service in a state militia.

So far, forty-four states in the US protect their people's rights to have guns, while six others impose gun restrictions. The capital's gun law was among the nation's strictest. The law adopted by Washington's city council in 1976, bars residents from owning handguns. Shotguns and rifles may be kept in homes, if they are registered. But they must be kept unloaded and either disassembled or equipped with trigger locks.

In 2003, 6 residents of Washington sued the District for violating their rights to hold guns. They say the District law goes against the Second Amendment.

The Supreme Court ruling on Thursday means it affirms that the Second Amendment protects the right of Americans to keep and bear arms.

Mayor of Washington, Adrian Fenty shows his disappointment toward the ruling.

"As mayor, although I'm disappointed in the court's ruling, and believe as I said in the past years that more handguns in the district of Columbia will only lead to more handgun violence. But it's important to both respect the court's authority, and act quickly".

Fenty says he has already directed the Metropolitan police department to implement a process for allowing citizens to register handguns for lawful possessions at home.

David Young is an engineer in Washington. He says he's thrilled by the decision.

"Awesome, that's the most excellent news I've heard in a long time, It's great news, I'm a resident of DC, and it's crazy that the government here has acted toward the people. People can have guns, they can use it to defend themselves responsibly. I won't buy a gun, it's not for me, I don't live in a dangerous neighborhood, but there are lots of people do. They have to right to defend themselves. "

The anti-gun groups are disheartened by the ruling. Christine Brickley is one of them.

Nurse practiontioner, "I'm one of those anti-gun Americans, so I'm very saddened by this ruling. I think that the high crime rate and a lot of problems in the US will not happen if there is a gun ban in this country".

Experts believe the ruling will have a far-reaching impact, as it may challenge gun restriction laws on various levels.

SS, CRI news, Washington.