Congressional authority over entirely intra-state firearms markets?

[psyfly]

It's been my (lay) understanding of the current interstate commerce interpretations (Law?):

If it may ever be possible that you become involved in any activity that may have, or may ever have the possibility of, crossing a state line then you are engaged in interstate commerce.

Thus, each of us, from birth to death (if those are, indeed, limits), are perptually, waking or sleeping, involved in interstate commerce.

Sleep well.

Will

 

[raimius]

Congress has built such a house of cards around the "expansive" interpretation of the interstate commerce clause (Wickard case especially) that many people are extremely hesitant to disturb the current state of things.

Overruling the interpretation created in Wickard would have VERY far reaching effects, and I'm not sure any current justices are really willing to go for it and see what happens.

Right or wrong, I think we are pretty much stuck with it.

 

[wayneinFL]

Now that is really pushing it.

That's like saying I fall in Ag Laws. If laws say watermelons used in commerce have to be inspected that I cant grow watermelon to eat at my own table because if I grow my own watermelon I'm not buying water melons from the neighboring farmer.

Or closer to reality, I cant build a wind generator to generate electricity because I wouldn't be buying electricity that is covered by commerce.

Where do we draw the line

.

It is pushing it. IMO, the Wickard case gives the government a better case to regulate your watermelon or generator example than to regulate firearms within a state. But that's not the way it's been interpreted in courts since then.

 

[Mike40-11]

Essentially the Commerce Clause has become the catch-all to allow the Federal government to regulate a very great many things that were intended to be under the purview of the states.

I am very much a Federalist. I'm quite convinced that the founder's would be appalled to see what we have made of the Republic.

 

[berettaprofessor]

Wait....so can I grow watermelon or not?

 

[KyJim]

Wait....so can I grow watermelon or not?

Only seedless melons since they won't be "fruitful and multiply" and thereby affect interstate commerce.

 

[CowTowner]

Only seedless melons since they won't be "fruitful and multiply" and thereby affect interstate commerce.

Provided the seeds are sourced via an intrastate provider.