United States v. Lopez (1995) - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to United States v. Lopez and the Commerce Clause, as presented in the notes.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Supreme Court case that held the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 unconstitutional, narrowing Congress's Commerce Clause power.

Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 (GFSZA)

Federal law prohibiting possession of a firearm in a school zone; struck down in Lopez as exceeding Congress's commerce power.

Commerce Clause

Constitutional provision giving Congress authority to regulate interstate commerce; central to the legal question in Lopez.

Substantial effect on interstate commerce

The standard used to determine if an activity falls under the Commerce Clause; Lopez held that gun possession in a school zone did not have a substantial effect.

10th Amendment

Constitutional amendment reserving powers not delegated to the federal government to the states; cited in Lopez to support states’ rights.

Rational Basis Test

A low-level legal standard described in the notes as used to test commerce clause laws, making them more likely to be upheld.

SCOTUS

Supreme Court of the United States, the court that decided United States v. Lopez.

Holding

The court’s ruling on the central issue; in Lopez, the GFSZA was unconstitutional under the Commerce Clause.

Interstate commerce

Trade or movement of goods across state lines; central concept in determining federal regulatory power via the Commerce Clause.

States’ rights

Principle that states retain certain powers; Lopez is noted to strengthen states’ rights by limiting federal power.

Not every activity affects interstate commerce

A key takeaway from Lopez: Congress cannot regulate all activities merely because they are related to interstate commerce.

Levels of government to regulate guns in schools

Question of which level (state, federal, or both) can regulate guns in school zones; Lopez implies limits on federal regulation.