relegating the second amendment to a second class right. the supreme court in 2008 struck down a handgun ban in the district of columbia, ruling that the second amendment protects a person's right to bear arms for self-defense in the home. but in the years since, lower federal courts have narrowly applied the landmark decision, allowing what they consider atasonable gun restrictions, bans on large-capacity semi- automatic firearms, like the commonly owned ar-15. seven states and d.c. have laws banning possession of those weapons. the city of highland park passed its ban in 2013. mayor nancy rotering said it was due in part to the shooting at sandy hook elementary school. >> it's well past time to take action to reduce the gun violence that threatens our community's safety, our nation's safety and inflicts fear and pain on countless families and communities. >> reporter: but gun rights supporters say the bans cover guns lawfully used by millions of americans for self-defense and for sport. [gunfire]. today's order is unlikely to encourage sweeping change. 39 states where such guns are legal have laws blocking cities from passing local restrictions.