There was predictable reaction Thursday to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision upholding a citizen's right to own guns and striking down Washington D.C.'s 32-year-old ban on handguns.

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The decision was hailed by advocates of handgun ownership rights and condemned by those supporting restrictive gun laws, such as those in the District of Columbia and Chicago,

"Everyone knew it was unconstitutional, " said Chris DeYoung, owner Glenwood Gun & Pistol Range, Glenwood. "... It won't have no effect. No one was concerned about it as far as I'm aware. It hasn't affected a thing."

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley called the ruling "a very frightening decision," and contended that any effort to strike down Chicago's handgun ban would likely increase taxes because of the increased need for police presence. Violence sparked by the end of the ban would also increase hospitalizations, Daley said.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich called the decision "very scary."

However, the decision does not prohibit cities and states from implementing comprehensive gun regulations consistent with the Court's opinion, according to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. The organization said it hopes that any regulations in jeopardy because of the ruling will be quickly amended in order to reduce the risk of gun violence.

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D- Ill., said he is disappointed in the Supreme Court's ruling as it comes "at a time when many of our communities are reeling from the violence, death, and destruction caused by handguns."

"The Constitution guarantees a right to bear arms, but its preamble also insures domestic tranquility," he said. "We must redouble our efforts to protect our families and communities by implementing reasonable, common-sense restrictions on guns that pass Constitutional muster."

His father, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Rev. Michael Pfleger were arrested outside Chuck's Gun Shop & Pistol Range in Riverdale during their June 2007 protest for stricter gun laws in June 2007. The gun shop's manager, who identified himself only as " Jack" Thursday, said "it's the second amendment," when asked to comment about Court's ruling on the possession of firearms.

"Everyone has that right," he said.

Without commenting on the Supreme Court's action, U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky, D-Ind., said in a statement, "I support the possession of legal firearms by responsible law abiding citizens."

Ill. Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, who is running for the 11th District Congressional seat, and her Republic opponent Marty Ozinga both supported the Court's decision.

Richard Pearson of the Illinois State Rifle Association said many pro-gun groups have been waiting for the decision before pushing for changes to restrictive gun laws. He doesn't know of any lawsuits currently challenging gun laws in the state, but expects that to change in the days and weeks to come.

The Illinois Rifle Association will give municipal governments in the state a little time to change their restrictive laws. But if they don't, Pearson said they can expect to face lawsuits soon.

Ed Hill, general manager of Blythe's Sports Shops in Griffith and Valparaiso, also said the Supreme Court's ruling isn't unexpected and won't have an effect on handgun sales, which comprise a large percentage of Blythe's sales.

"Legal people should be able to have a gun for self defense and targeting and those things," Hill said. "I wish there were a way to keep them (guns) away from those who shouldn't have them, and use them illegally. We have laws on the books preventing certain people from buying them, but they aren't being enforced."

Cabela's, which sells handguns, rifles and shotguns, didn't comment on the ruling Thursday even after several promises to do so. The retailer has made it a practice to work against restrictive gun laws. At its urging, the communities of Hoffman Estates and Kansas City, Kansas both dumped handgun regulations when the sports superstore opened in the towns.

In the fall of 2007, the retailer also sent a mass mailing to Cook County residents opposing a proposed county ordinance banning the sale of firearms, accessories and ammunition. The proposal by County Commissioner Larry Suffredin was never called to a vote because he couldn't get enough votes for its passage.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.