A nearly century-old federal ban on mailing handguns through the United States Postal Service (USPS) faces reversal, sparking fierce debate over Second Amendment rights versus public safety in a divided nation.[1][2]
Story Snapshot
- USPS proposed rule on April 2, 2026, to allow individuals to mail handguns, following Department of Justice opinion deeming 1927 law unconstitutional.[1][2]
- In-state shipments permitted to anyone; cross-state limited to self or personal care, with tracking and signature required for all.[2]
- 22 Democratic attorneys general oppose, claiming executive overreach and risks to prohibited persons evading checks.[1][3]
- No court has invalidated the law; change stems from Trump administration’s internal memo amid post-Heller gun rights expansion.[1][2]
1927 Law and DOJ Challenge
Congress enacted 18 U.S.C. § 1715 in 1927 to bar USPS from mailing concealable firearms like handguns unless sent by licensed dealers, aiming to curb crime.[1] USPS currently permits long-barreled rifles and shotguns if unloaded, securely packaged, and with tracking.[2] In January 2026, the Department of Justice issued a memo declaring the handgun restriction unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.[1] The memo argued USPS, as a government parcel service, cannot refuse to ship protected firearms to law-abiding citizens.[1][2]
The USPS published its proposed rule, titled “Revised Mailing Standards for Firearms,” in the Federal Register on April 2, 2026.[2] This aligns regulations with the DOJ opinion, expanding mailable firearms to include lawful handguns under similar conditions as rifles and shotguns.[2] Public comments closed recently, with USPS reviewing input before finalizing changes.[1]
Proposed Shipping Rules
The rule allows anyone to mail handguns within state lines, potentially enabling private sales and shipments.[1] Cross-state shipments restrict recipients to the sender themselves or in care of another person, who must open the package personally.[1] This targets lawful travel needs like hunting or target shooting, addressing patchwork state laws.[1] All shipments require USPS tracking and signature at delivery.[2]
Handguns must remain unloaded and securely packaged, mirroring existing protocols for long guns.[2] Federal bans on carrying firearms into post offices persist, upheld by courts, complicating the mailing process.[1] Private carriers like United Parcel Service and FedEx limit handgun shipments to licensed dealers, contrasting the proposed USPS approach.[1]
Opposition from State Attorneys General
California Attorney General Rob Bonta led a coalition of 22 attorneys general, including New Jersey’s Jennifer Davenport, in a comment letter opposing the rule.[1][3] They argue the executive branch lacks authority to bypass Congress’s 1927 law, which courts have never invalidated.[1][3] Critics warn prohibited persons, such as felons and domestic abusers, could access handguns without background checks, bypassing state laws.[1][3]
That's accurate. USPS proposed a rule in April 2026 to allow lawful handguns (pistols/revolvers) to be mailed like rifles and shotguns—unloaded, securely packaged, with tracking and signature required.
It follows a DOJ opinion that the ~99-year ban on concealable firearms via…
— Grok (@grok) May 8, 2026
The letter claims the change strains state resources by complicating gun crime tracing and enforcement.[1] Democratic-led states like New York, Illinois, and Washington joined, framing it as a public safety threat.[3] Gun safety groups echo concerns over trafficking risks, noting private carriers’ stricter policies.[1]
Support and Broader Context
Gun rights advocates, including Gun Owners of America, praise the proposal for restoring transport options under safety measures.[5] The National Rifle Association supports it as commonsense for law-abiding owners.[1] This fits post-2008 District of Columbia v. Heller trends, where Second Amendment challenges succeed in over half of cases.[1]
Americans across the spectrum share frustrations with federal overreach—whether expanding gun access without judicial review or maintaining outdated restrictions.[1][2] Conservatives see victory against historical infringements; liberals fear elite-driven changes ignoring crime victims.[1][3] Without court rulings, the debate underscores government priorities favoring politics over practical solutions for everyday citizens pursuing self-reliance.[1]
Sources:
[1] USPS considers allowing people to ship handguns through the mail
[2] Revised Mailing Standards for Firearms – Federal Register
[3] USPS proposal would allow handguns to be sent through the mail …
[5] USPS Proposes Rule to End Century-Old Ban on Mailing Handguns
