Florida Civic Literacy Exam | FCLE | U.S. v. Lopez (1995) #civicstest #fcle

Florida Civic Literacy Exam | FCLE | U.S. v. Lopez (1995) #civicstest #fcle

Summary

In this episode of FCLE Seminar, host Mercedes Musto explores the landmark Supreme Court case United States vs. Lopez (1995), which challenged the limits of federal power under the Commerce Clause. The case arose when Alfonso Lopez Jr. was charged with possessing a handgun on school grounds, leading to a federal charge under the Gun-Free School Zones Act. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the Act exceeded Congress's authority, emphasizing that the possession of a gun in a school does not constitute an economic activity that substantially affects interstate commerce. This decision marked a significant limitation on federal power and clarified the scope of the Commerce Clause, reinforcing the balance of power between federal and state governments.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to United States vs. Lopez

02:11 Case Background

04:04 Supreme Court's Decision

06:23 Key Takeaways and Conclusion

Keywords

United States vs. Lopez, Supreme Court, Commerce Clause, Gun-Free School Zones Act, federal power, constitutional law, civic literacy

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and should not be taken as such.