AUBURN -- MidMichigan gun owners are calling Monday’s Supreme Court ruling on handguns a victory for supporters of the Second Amendment. 

“The Supreme Court upheld the Constitution of which they should do,” said Kevin Williams, owner of Williams Gun Shop-Auburn, in Bay County.      

In the case McDonald V. City of Chicago, high court justices held in a 5-4 decision that local and state handgun laws were too strict.  The decision bans local authorities from restricting handgun ownership for cases of self-defense.  Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority opinion. 

“Statistics show that when honest citizens own firearms, it brings the crime rate down over and over every year.  It’s been proven and it’s about time they are getting their constitutional rights back,” Williams said. 

The decision picks up where the 2008 case, District of Columbia V. Heller, left off.  That case struck down a blanket ban on handgun ownership in Washington D.C. 

It is important to note only associated laws in the Chicago-area will likely be overturned with this case.  Handgun laws in other states, or enforced by other local governments may be challenged with this decision, but will not automatically be overturned.