The stage is now set for a legal determination on whether abortions will be banned in Guam.

Attorney General Douglas Moylan is petitioning the federal court to lift an injunction that has prevented the 1990 statute from being implemented.

Its been more than 30 years since the statute was passed outlawing abortions on Guam. But it was never implemented as opponents back then in 1990 were able to convince a federal court to block it as unconstitutional.

But seven months ago the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. Attorney General Douglas Moylan explained its impact on the Guam abortion law.

"Because of this recent decision of the supreme court changing its position, we believe that law is now good law and should come back into effect," he said. "And this is not unique, because other states in the united states have likewise moved as has Guam to let the people enjoy the laws passed by our elected officials."

Moylan has filed a motion in Guam federal district court to vacate the injunction that's been blocking the abortion ban. He expects the court will also seek to hear from supporters of the injunction.

"We've just started to put it in play and I saw that as an important thing to do," he said. "We don't determine the law at the AG's office, we have to enforce it."

If the AG prevails and the injunction is lifted, the abortion ban would take effect immediately.

But that's not actually the end of it.

A referendum is also mandated, to decide the matter once and for all.

"The beauty of the law was that it put it before the people," Moylan said. "And quite frankly you can't have anything better than just having everybody on Guam decide versus going through senators."

The 1990 law called for a referendum to be held at the first general election after passage.