The man, whose original lawsuit against the City of Chicago resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the city’s ban on handguns, is celebrating again after a federal appeals court on Tuesday ruled Illinois’ ban on concealed carry unconstitutional.

Otis McDonald celebrated with millions of other citizens and received thank yous and well wishes from around the world after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals 2-1 ruling. For McDonald, the ruling is a justification of what he and others have been fighting for.

In 2010 McDonald successfully defeated the city in a landmark case that laid the groundwork for Tuesday’s ruling. The state will now have six months to put together legislation that will allow Illinois residents the right to be able to protect themselves with a handgun while on some of the city’s most dangerous streets, as well as other areas around the state.

McDonald, 71, an active hunter, became fed up after gangbangers in his South Side neighborhood begin threatening and targeting him and the house he shares with his wife.

A military veteran, McDonald’s home was broken into several times and when he would walk on his block, young teens would curse him and threaten him with bodily harm. McDonald said the police could only do so much and after a certain point, he decided to stand up for himself.

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