WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court set the stage Tuesday for a historic ruling on whether the Second Amendment protects the rights of Americans to keep guns at home. The justices said they would review an appeals court decision that struck down a 31-year-old ban on handguns in Washington, D.C. The case will be heard in early 2008 and decided by next summer. While outright bans on the private possession of guns are rare, many cities and states regulate firearms. If the court rules in favor of gun owners, the decision could open the door to challenges to regulations and restrictions on firearms across the nation. In their appeal, District of Columbia officials say their ban on easily concealed handguns dates to 1858. They argue handguns are responsible for much violent crime. Under the city ordinance passed in 1976, residents can keep shotguns or hunting rifles at home, but these weapons must be disassembled or have trigger locks. Handguns are illegal, except for police officers. Six city residents challenged the ordinance as unconstitutional and said it denied them the right to have ‘functional firearms’ at home for self-defense. The Second Amendment is among the best-known parts […]