Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete F.
What was the Constitution’s original meaning about telecommunications, air travel, machine guns or nuclear weapons, slavery, or gender equality?
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The original meaning of amendment to the Constitution was allowed in it. Slavery was addressed by the 13th amendment. The other items, for the federal government to be able to control in some manner, would have to fall within some enumerated power in the Constitution. The treaty clause in the Constitution can be used to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The Equal Protection Clause in the Constitution can uphold equality under the law for all individuals. Insofar as there is actual commerce involved in telecommunications or air travel that crosses state lines, the federal government can regulate that through the Commerce Clause. If there are no constitutional enumerations that can include a subject, the power to impose restrictions is left to the states.