United States v. Lopez

United States v. Lopez (1995) was a Supreme Court case that limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause. Alfonso Lopez was charged with bringing a gun to his high school, and Congress had previously passed a law banning guns in schools, claiming it regulated interstate commerce. The Court ruled that carrying a gun in school did not substantially affect interstate commerce, so Congress exceeded its constitutional authority. This case marked the first time in decades that the Court limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause, emphasizing the need for a clear link between federal legislation and interstate commerce.