In what way did U.S. v. Lopez impact state government power?

The case of U.S. v. Lopez significantly impacted the power dynamics between federal and state governments by affirming the limits of federal authority under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. This landmark decision held that Congress had overstepped its bounds by trying to regulate gun possession on school grounds through the Gun-Free School Zones Act, which was seen as an area of state jurisdiction rather than federal.

As a result, the ruling reinforced the principle of federalism, where the states maintain a degree of sovereignty and authority over matters not expressly governed by federal law. This judicial interpretation effectively expanded state government power, as it allowed states to have greater control and discretion in handling issues like gun laws and education without unnecessary federal intervention.

In this context, option C captures the essence of the ruling's impact, highlighting how it empowered state governments by affirming their rights to govern local matters without federal overreach.