Robin A. Webb

USA TODAY

A federal judge Saturday overturned the District of Columbia's ban on carrying handguns in public on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.

"There is no longer any basis on which this court can conclude that the District of Columbia's total ban on the public carrying of ready-to-use handguns outside the home is constitutional under any level of scrutiny," said Judge Frederick J. Scullin Jr. in his ruling on Palmer v. District of Columbia.

"Therefore, the court finds that the District of Columbia's complete ban on the carrying of handguns in public is unconstitutional," he said.

The court ordered D.C. to cease enforcement of the ban for residents and non-residents alike.

The ruling, which could be appealed, is seen as a victory for proponents of gun rights and the Second Amendment.