SAN FRANCISCO -- The city plans to appeal a judge's ruling overturning an ordinance banning handgun possession and firearm sales, the city attorney said Tuesday.

San Francisco County Judge James Warren ruled in favor of the National Rifle Association on Monday that the California Legislature, not the city's voters, can enact gun regulations.

City voters approved Measure H in November after the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors, who were frustrated by a rising number of gun-related homicides in the city of 750,000, put the measure on the ballot. San Francisco recorded a 10-year high of at least 94 murders last year.

"I respectfully disagree with the court's reasoning, and believe that San Francisco voters acted within their authority to restrict handgun possession and firearm sales within the limits of their own city," City Attorney Dennis Herrera said.