Gun Free School Zone Essays

What was the court’s decision in the case? What reason did they give? What landmark case did they cite?

However, Lopez’s trouble did not stop here. Soon after, the Federal government petitioned for the Supreme Court to review the case, and they accepted. Attorneys for the United States contended that the law was an appropriate use of power under the interstate Commerce Clause. The government was obligated to show that Section 922 was a valid exercise of Congressional power under the Commerce Clause, and that this section regulated a matter that affected interstate commerce. The government’s case was made up from one principle argument. They argued that the possession of a firearm in an educational environment would most likely lead to violent crimes, which, in turn, would affect the general economic condition in one of two ways: First, because violent crime causes damagers and creates expenses, it would raise insurance costs. These insurance costs would be spread

President George H.W. Bush signed the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 into law on November 29, 1990, making it a federal offense for “any individual to knowingly possess a firearm at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone.” Subsequently, in United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549 (1995), the Supreme Court held that the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was unconstitutional as it violated the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. In reaching this 5-4 Supreme Court decision, Chief Justice Rehnquist, in concurrence with Justices O’Connor, Scalia, Kennedy, and Thomas wrote the majority opinion, correctly determining that Congress lacked authority to pass this law as, even if replicated throughout schools across the United States, the carrying of a gun to school was not a sufficient economic activity that would substantially affect interstate commerce. Contrarily, Justices Breyer, Stevens, Souter and Ginsberg dissented, opining that the Act’s prohibition against firearms in schools had a sufficient connection with interstate commerce and thus, Congress’ application of the Commerce Clause was appropriate. In finding a substantial connection between gun-related school violence and interstate commerce the minority dissenting opinion relied on evidence that gun-related violence near schools is a commercial problem that interferes with the quality of education and thus relates to economic viability, giving Congress

The federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 forbade the possession of firearms in public schools

Throughout the course of American history, the court systems of the Judicial Branch have determined what is and isn’t acceptable in today’s society. Without the precedents set forth by the Supreme Court, the people of America would run wild and not have any disciplinary consequences. Although some cases that appear before the judges may be simple and easily acquire a unanimous decision, many hearings cause much controversy not only for the justices, but for the American people as well. Even though the Constitution of the United States states in the Second Amendment citizens can legally bear arms, it is still a hot topic that tends to cause much debate. Despite the substantial tensions about the right to bear arms, the Second Amendment was not

Lopez, 514 U.S. 549 (1995) where Congress made it unlawful to have a gun in a school zone under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. In March of 1992, high school senior Alphonso Lopez Jr. was arrested with an unloaded concealed firearm and bullets while school property and violating the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990. Lopez was convicted and he appealed the courts decision all the way to the Supreme Court. He appealed his conviction on the grounds that Congress exceeded its constitutional authority under the Commerce Clause and had no authority to pass this law affecting public schools.

On March tenth of 1992, Alfonso Lopez, Jr., an eighteen year-old high school senior, walked onto the Edison High School campus of San Antonio. To many it seemed like an ordinary day. Almost everything appeared normal; however, Alfonso Lopez, Jr. was carrying an unloaded .38 caliber revolver and five cartridges of bullets in his pockets and backpack. An anonymous agent tipped off the school authorities that Alfonso Lopez may have been in the possession of a weapon, and would be transporting it that

If you recently picked up a newspaper or turned on to see the news you may have question what is happening in our schools and begin to think whether our schools are still safe places for children. Recent school shootings have set feared in many parents about their children's safety in our schools. Since last year number of school shootings by students have occurred regularly. On Tuesday February 29, 2000 in Mount Morris Township, Michigan a six-year old boy shot his classmate to death in their first grade classroom. Police reports show that the two youngsters had an argument the previous day. A single shot was fired inside the classroom at Buell Elementary School around 10 a.m. The young boy said he brought the gun to school to frighten

A school's staff are our children's first and foremost defense against violent attacks. Posting "Gun Free Zone" signs has proven time and time again, that it will not stop a criminal from leaving a trail of victims. Leaving our staff untrained and unarmed ultimatley leaves all those in the school vulnerable, defenseless, and in the position to potentially be harmed, or worse, killed. Arming our teachers, prinicipals, and staff will give our children and all else in the school a chance to fight for their lives, if ever threatned.

I believe in the United States 2nd Amendment Constitution Right, which is the right to bare arms. Gun Free Zones do not protect citizens and I believe it creates a false sense of security, by disarming innocent people. I fell Gun free zones puts peoples lives at more risk and it makes a criminals job easier, because they know where the defenseless victims are. This is putting them in more danger and not able to defend them selves. The Gun free Zones are based on the honor system, which means the ban only applies to people that voluntarily obey the gun ordinance. If someone has their mind set on committing a crime, they will go in and do what they have set their mind too. They are not worried about breaking a gun ordinance ban, and will target those areas knowing the law-abiding citizens inside, are defenseless like sitting ducks.

In this proceeding, the trial court ruled in favor of plaintiffs which were a devastating blow to the Constitution. The Court of Appeal of California reversed the trial court’s ruling on

In recent years there have been many places putting up signs saying “no guns” or “gun free zone.” These have been put up because of the belief that they make a place safer for everyone. The problem with this is that if a criminal aspires to commit a violent crime, these places make an easier target. With this being said the main idea and purpose of a gun free zone is supposed to be for safety, but in reality it makes a place more susceptible to danger from criminals.

Columbine High School, Littleton, Colorado, 1999; Trolley Square Mall, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2007; Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Virginia, 2007; Westroads Mall, Omaha, Nebraska, 2007; New Life Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2007; Pearl High School, Pearl, Mississippi, 1997. All of these, except Colorado Springs were in areas designated as gun-free zones, places where state, federal, and/or private property laws and regulations forbid people from carrying a firearm, except law enforcement or security personnel. The only difference between the first four incidents and the last two is the gunman was confronted by someone else with a gun before law enforcement could arrive. Do you feel

Despite our whereabouts everyone main concern is gun violence; there is always an argument concerning guns. Should be mandated or not? Is it life or death situation or plain old homicide? With that question being asked by Americans nationwide, should students be allowed to carry guns or campus? Or should we fear that they all will use it for all the wrong reasons intended?

The discussion of bearing arms has been prominent in American history since the writing of the Bill of Rights. Many believe that having the right to bear arms is part of their national identity. It is something that most tend to hold close to their hearts. According to the Washington Post, it was reported in 2015 that about 43% of American families had guns in their homes and/or on their properties (Washington Post, 2016). But should individuals be able to carry guns everywhere? The “Gun Free School Zones Act” of 1990 ensures that the areas in and around school buildings and facilities are gun free (article 1). The repeal of this act would create a variety of issues for the society such as an increase in gun related violence and child safety.