The top US court, in a blow to gun control advocates, ruled today that Americans have the right to own a gun.

The United States’ top court said tonight it will decide whether the city of Washington can ban handguns, a case that could produce the most in-depth examination of the constitutional right to bear arms in nearly 70 years.

The manufacturer and dealer of the rifle used in the Washington sniper shootings have agreed to pay around €2.2m in a settlement with victims’ families.