The United States Postal Service is proposing a rule that would allow individuals to mail handguns for the first time since 1927 [1].
The change would fundamentally alter how firearms are transported across the U.S. and has sparked a legal battle between the federal government and several state officials.
The proposed rule was published on April 2, 2026 [4]. If approved by the Trump administration, it would permit the shipment of handguns through the postal system, reversing a restriction that has been in place for 99 years [2].
The Justice Department said the current patchwork of state gun laws makes it difficult for people to transport handguns across state lines. The department said the change would facilitate lawful activities such as hunting, target shooting, and self-defense [5].
However, the proposal faces significant opposition from state leaders. Democratic attorneys general from approximately 24 states sent a letter opposing the rule [3]. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford also joined the opposition, and said the change would undermine state-level efforts to combat gun violence [1].
Opponents suggest that allowing handguns in the mail could create new avenues for the illegal trafficking of firearms, while supporters argue it protects the rights of lawful gun owners to move their property across state lines without navigating conflicting local laws [5].
“The proposal would end a nearly century-old ban on shipping handguns through the U.S. Postal Service.”
This proposal represents a significant shift in federal oversight of firearm transport. By removing the USPS restriction, the federal government would reduce the practical barriers for transporting handguns between states, potentially overriding the efficacy of strict state-level gun control laws that rely on restricting the movement of firearms into their jurisdictions.
