USPS proposal would allow handguns to be sent through the mail

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is considering a rule change that would allow handguns to be mailed through the mail system for the first time in nearly a century. This proposal follows a Department of Justice (DOJ) opinion that the 1927 law prohibiting the mailing of concealable firearms is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. Currently, USPS permits the mailing of long-barreled rifles and shotguns if they are unloaded and securely packaged, but handguns have been excluded. The proposed rule would permit anyone to mail pistols and revolvers, with certain restrictions, including stricter regulations for shipping firearms across state lines. The DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel argues that the current prohibition infringes on constitutional rights and that as long as Congress operates a parcel service, it cannot refuse to ship firearms to law-abiding citizens, even if they are not licensed dealers. The new rule aims to address difficulties faced by gun owners who travel or relocate and need to transport firearms legally, especially given the complex patchwork of state gun laws. For interstate shipments, the rule would require the recipient to be the firearm’s owner and to personally open the package, limiting potential misuse. The proposal has drawn strong opposition from Democratic attorneys general in 24 states, who argue that it undermines state efforts to control gun violence. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, whose state endured the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history in 2017, criticized the move as a threat to public safety and a setback for gun violence prevention measures. Nevada, among other states, has enacted laws requiring background checks on private gun sales to curb illegal firearm access. Critics warn that easier mailing of handguns could facilitate access for criminals and abusers, complicating law enforcement efforts. The USPS is currently reviewing public comments submitted during the comment period, which ended in early May. The outcome of this rulemaking process could significantly alter federal firearm shipping regulations and impact ongoing debates over gun control and constitutional rights across the country.