Missouri has become the latest state to legalize same-sex marriage after a St. Louis circuit judge ruled on Wednesday that the state's ban is unconstitutional.

St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison issued a ruling stating that "the freedom to marry is a fundamental right and liberty deeply rooted in the history of the United States," reports Reuters. He also declared that the state ban on gay marriage was not tied to a "legitimate government interest."

In response to the decision, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced that the state would file an appeal at the state Supreme Court. However, he said he would not seek a stay of the judge's ruling, noting that the U.S. Supreme Court refused to grant stays on lower court decision on same-sex marriage in Idaho and Alaska, reports The Associated Press.

Prior to Wednesday's ruling, the Attorney General also chose not to appeal a ruling requiring Missouri to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

"Marriage equality is now the law of the land in the state of Missouri," said Winston Calvert, the attorney that represented St. Louis and argued against the state's same-sex marriage ban. "This decision finally enforces that constitutional guarantee of equality for gay and lesbian couples."

Marc Solomon, national campaign director for the Freedom to Marry advocacy group, praised the ruling.

"As Missourians get to know married same-sex couples and their families, they will see clearly that their marriages are based on love, commitment and an interest in caring for their families," he said. "Today's ruling adds to the powerful momentum of victories from a bipartisan array of federal and state judges as we work to secure the freedom to marry nationwide."

Over a dozen states legalized same-sex marriage since the U.S. Supreme Court issued a non-decision decision on Oct. 6, upholding lower rulings that struck down gay marriage.

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