The USPS is considering rules to allow concealable firearms to be mailed domestically under safeguards similar to rifles and shotguns, prompting state challenges and questions about enforcement, safety, and access. Below are the key questions readers are likely to search for, with clear answers grounded in current reporting and policy context.
The proposed USPS rule would treat handguns like long guns for mailing, with safeguards such as unloading and secure packaging. If adopted, this could allow mail of certain concealable firearms within state lines, but interstate mailing remains more restricted. The change could affect how owners, dealers, and licensed recipients handle mail, storage, and verification of eligibility. It does not grant new legal rights to possess firearms; possession rules still depend on state and federal law.
Democratic attorneys general in about two dozen states have filed or signaled legal opposition, arguing the rule undermines state gun laws and could enable access for individuals not legally permitted to possess firearms. The challenges emphasize that federal policy should respect state regulatory frameworks and existing prohibitions, and raise concerns about safety and enforcement across state lines.
If the rule moves forward, law enforcement and regulators would need to adapt to new mailing practices, verify eligibility, and ensure consignments comply with unloading and secure packaging requirements. Supporters argue it could align mail regulation with other types of weapons shipments, while opponents worry about loopholes that could enable prohibited access and complicate enforcement, especially across states with strict gun laws.
The Department of Justice has argued that the 1927 law barring mailing concealable firearms is unconstitutional and a violation of the Second Amendment, and that Congress has authorized a parcel service to handle certain firearms. This stance underpins the legal debate and informs the arguments raised by states challenging the plan.
There are historical exemptions for antique firearms and a patchwork of state regulations that complicate nationwide policy implementations. Understanding these exemptions and how state laws interact with federal proposals is key to predicting how the rule would function in practice and where conflicts might arise.
Until the rule is finalized, it’s important to follow existing federal, state, and local laws. If a nationwide mail-in firearm policy is adopted, it would come with specific safeguards to follow. Stay tuned to official updates from USPS and state attorney generals for concrete guidance on eligibility, packaging, and shipping procedures.
The United States Postal Service is considering a rule change that would allow anyone to send handguns through the mail for the first time in nearly 100 years.