Gun-Free School Zone Case Study

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Case Background: Alfonso Lopez, Jr. brought a firearm to a school zone without reasonable cause. Under the Gun-Free School Zone Act (GFSZA) of 1990 to knowingly bring a firearm to a school zone is unlawful. The state charged Lopez with possession of a firearm in a school zone; however, the next day the state dropped the charges so that the federal government charge Lopez under the GFSZA. The issue arose is when it was asked if the act exceeded Congress’ authority under the Commerce Clause in the Constitution.
Case Decision: The district court refused to dismiss Lopez’s charges saying that the GFSZA was a constitutional exercise, thus upholding the act as not exceeding Congress’ authority. The Fifth Circuit Court reversed the ruling that the