Nebraska and 37 other states are supporting a challenge to Chicago's ban on handguns.

The U.S. Supreme Court said earlier this fall that it would hear the lawsuit four people filed challenging the city ban.

One of the plaintiffs, Otis McDonald of Chicago, said he wants to own a firearm within city limits so he can protect himself in his home.

Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning says he and his fellow attorneys general want the high court to protect the constitutional right to bear arms and make it clear that cities and states have to follow the court's earlier rulings.

The goal of the Illinois lawsuit is to require state and local officials to follow the Supreme Court's 2008 ruling that eliminated Washington, D.C.'s handgun ban.