In a victory for gun rights proponents, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Constitution that protects citizens' right to keep and bear firearms in a landmark ruling, extending their use nationwide.

In a case involving Chicago laws that effectively ban handgun possession by almost all private citizens, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to rule that the Second Amendment, which enshrines individuals' gun rights, applies nationwide, The court previously ruled that the Second Amendment only applies to federal laws and places like Washington D.C., the capital of the country which is under federal jurisdiction. It struck down the federal city's law banning handgun possession in the home two years ago.

After the D.C. ruling, suits were filed against the Chicago ban, the most restrictive in the country. The petition to strike down the laws were turned down by federal circuit court, as is bound by Supreme Court precedent.

The Supreme Court's Monday decision did not strike down the Chicago ban. It ordered a federal appeals court to reconsider its ruling. But U.S. media reports say there's "little doubt" the laws would eventually fall.

Gun control is a sensitive issue splitting the United States. The nation has the highest rate of private gun ownership in the world, with its private citizens holding over 200 million pieces of firearms. Homicide rate involving guns is also high.

Monday's vote was split by ideological line, with conservative members of the court voting for gun rights, while the liberal wing voted against it.