The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on a case that could yield a landmark decision on a major divisive issue.

The justices heard a challenge to a Washington, D.C., law that bans possession of handguns in most cases.

Dick Heller, a 66-year-old security guard, was turned down for a permit to keep a handgun in his home. He said he feel unsafe because of high crime in the District.

This led to a 2003 lawsuit against Washington’s handgun ban, which has been in place for 32 years. Heller and his attorneys say the ban violates the Second Amendment,