THE US Supreme Court will consider whether a ban on handguns by the city of Washington, DC, complies with the Second Amendment of the US Constitution.

The ruling, set to be out in summer next year, will be its first in 70 years and could have a bearing on the presidential elections in November.

A ruling against Washington would give gun-rights advocates a long-sought legal victory and raise questions about weapons restrictions in New York, Chicago and other cities. Currently, all states have their own restrictions concerning firearms, which vary wildly.