Trump Administration Pushes USPS to Allow Mailing of Concealable Handguns
The Trump administration is currently pressuring the United States Postal Service (USPS) to permit the mailing of concealable handguns, following a Department of Justice (DOJ) determination that a nearly century-old ban on the practice is unconstitutional. The move has ignited a sharp legal and political battle between federal authorities and a coalition of state leaders who argue the change creates a perilous gap in gun safety laws.
- Policy Shift: The USPS proposes reclassifying revolvers and other handguns as mailable firearms, aligning them with the rules for long-barreled rifles and shotguns.
- Legal Trigger: The DOJ issued an opinion in January declaring the 1927 federal ban on mailing concealable firearms unconstitutional.
- Opposition: California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 22 other attorneys general oppose the rule, citing risks of weapons trafficking.
- Shipping Rules: Under the proposal, guns can be shipped to individuals within the same state; interstate shipping would require a third-party “in care of” recipient.
The End of a 99-Year Ban
Since 1927, members of the public have been prohibited from mailing concealable firearms through the USPS. However, this long-standing restriction was challenged by gun rights groups, leading the Department of Justice to issue an opinion in January stating the federal law is unconstitutional.
The DOJ opinion argues that as long as the federal government operates a parcel service, the Second Amendment prevents it from refusing to ship constitutionally protected firearms to and from law-abiding citizens, regardless of whether those individuals are licensed dealers or manufacturers.
Proposed Changes to Mailing Standards
Following the DOJ’s legal conclusion, the USPS outlined revised mailing standards last month. The proposed change would reclassify handguns and revolvers as mailable firearms. This means they would be subject to the same safety requirements as shotguns and rifles: they must be shipped unloaded and securely packaged.
Interstate vs. Intrastate Shipping
The proposed policy includes specific restrictions on how these weapons move across the country:
- Within a State: Individuals may ship a handgun directly to another person within the same state.
- Across State Lines: To ship a firearm to a different state, the sender must ship it “in care of” another person, who then allows the recipient to open the package.
A Coalition of Opposition
The proposal has met fierce resistance from Democratic-led states. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who recently joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in submitting a formal comment letter of opposition to the Postal Service, describes the policy as a “dangerous loophole.”
“Once again, the Trump Administration is recklessly disregarding the safety of the people it is sworn to serve,” Bonta stated. He warned that the rule could allow prohibited individuals to obtain weapons without background checks and undermine state-level firearms laws.
Opponents, including the coalition of AGs, argue that the DOJ—as part of the executive branch—lacks the authority to unilaterally invalidate a federal statute. They further contend that allowing the bypass of licensed sellers makes it easier for domestic abusers and felons to acquire weapons while hindering the ability of law enforcement to trace firearms used in crimes.
“It is categorically unfair and outright dangerous to expect postal workers to navigate complex federal, state, and local firearm laws,” said Kris Brown, president of the gun violence prevention group Brady. “Under this new system, we will undoubtedly see an increase in firearm trafficking and theft — putting all of us at risk.”
Support from Gun Rights Advocates
Conversely, gun rights organizations have praised the administration’s move as a victory for constitutional liberties. Advocates argue that the current ban is an arbitrary restriction that inconveniences law-abiding citizens who need to ship handguns for repairs, relocation, or sports shooting during vacations.
John Commerford, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, stated that the Trump administration is delivering a “key victory” for gun owners, noting that the USPS has “arbitrarily blocked handguns from being mailed” for nearly a century.
What Happens Next?
The USPS has stated it will review all public comments before finalizing any changes to the policy. As the agency weighs the arguments from state attorneys general and gun rights advocates, the outcome will likely determine the future of firearm logistics in the United States and the extent to which the Second Amendment overrides long-standing postal regulations.