What was the Supreme Court's ruling in US v. Lopez regarding the Gun-Free School Zones Act?

The Supreme Court's ruling in United States v. Lopez centered on the constitutionality of the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990. The Court held that the act was unconstitutional based on the Commerce Clause. The reasoning behind this decision was that the possession of a firearm in a school zone did not substantially affect interstate commerce, which is a requirement for Congress to legislate under this clause.

The Court reasoned that the Gun-Free School Zones Act was an overreach of Congressional power as it did not regulate economic activity or a commercial enterprise but rather intruded into an area of law (criminal law related to gun possession) that was traditionally regulated by the states. This case was significant as it marked the first time in decades that the Supreme Court limited Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause, reaffirming the importance of federalism by emphasizing the distinction between federal and state powers.

This ruling highlights the Court's stance on the principle of limited federal power while allowing states to maintain authority over local matters such as crime and education.