United States v Lopez

Definition

In the case of United States v Lopez (1995), the Supreme Court ruled that Congress exceeded its power under the Commerce Clause by passing a law prohibiting guns in school zones. This decision limited Congress's authority to regulate activities that have only an indirect effect on interstate commerce.

Related terms

Commerce Clause: This term refers to the section of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8) that gives Congress the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce.

Gonzales v Raich: In this case, decided in 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress has the authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate homegrown marijuana for medical use, even if it is legal under state law.

Wickard v Filburn: In this landmark case from 1942, the Supreme Court held that Congress can regulate even personal agricultural production if it has a substantial economic effect on interstate commerce.