The case of United States v. Lopez involved a student who was arrested for carrying a concealed handgun on school premises in Texas. The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was found to exceed Congress' authority to regulate commerce among the states. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision, stating that Congress has the power to regulate commerce among the states, but this power has limitations, as it does not extend to commerce that is completely internal to a state and does not affect other states. The Court also noted that the commerce power extends to intrastate activities that substantially interfere with or obstruct the exercise of the granted power. It is important to note the various opinions expressed by the Justices in this case.

In Wickard v. Filburn, the Supreme Court expanded Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate activities that have a substantial economic effect on interstate commerce. However, there are limits to this power, and the Court has since clarified that a rational basis must exist for such regulation. Congress can regulate activities that use interstate commerce channels, persons or things participating in interstate commerce, and activities that significantly impact interstate commerce. The test for whether an activity can be regulated is whether it "substantially affects" interstate commerce. The Court has upheld various Acts regulating intrastate economic activity when it has been determined that the activity substantially affects interstate commerce.

The case of United States v. Lopez established that Congress cannot regulate the possession of firearms in local school zones under the Commerce Clause, as it interferes with the traditional state concern of education and restricts the states from exercising their own judgment. The Constitution grants federal authority over activities that substantially affect interstate commerce, but Congress cannot regulate commerce that is completely internal and only occurs within a state or between different parts of the same state. The Gun-Free School Zones Act can regulate areas traditionally regulated by the States, and the Act passes rationality review according to Justice Breyer's opinion, but the dissent disagrees with the decision.

The presence of guns and violence in schools negatively affects the economy and Congress can regulate it under the Commerce Clause. The Court's decision that the statute falls outside the scope of the Commerce Clause restricts Congress' ability to enact laws aimed at behavior that threatens the economic and social well-being of Americans. The provided sources cover topics related to education, skills, and the American economy, which could be useful in developing policies and programs related to school safety, workforce development, and economic progress.