United States v. Lopez (1995)

The federal government did not have the authority to create gun-free school zones under the Commerce Clause. The Court held, “The possession of a gun in a local school zone is in no sense an economic activity that might, through repetition elsewhere, substantially affect any sort of interstate commerce.”

This case marked the first time since 1936 that the Court had ruled that Congress had exceeded its power under the Commerce Clause.

The case touched on constitutional principles including federalism and limited government.