Discuss how Printz v. United States informs us about the difficulties in applying abstract principles of federalism to specific political controversies such as the gun control issue raised in the 1993 Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act. What model of federalism does Scalia writing for the majority seem to endorse? What logic does he follow to justify his view of federalism in this case and what sources does he look to in order to justify his position concerning the constitutionality of the gun regulation in question in the case? Remember from earlier course materials, and especially his debate with Justice Breyer, that Scalia strongly endorsed the originalist model of constitutional interpretation. Compare Scalia’s view of federalism with that offered by Justice Stevens in his dissenting opinion.
