Postal Service considers allowing handguns to be shipped through the mail – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
The U.S. Postal Service is reviewing a proposed rule that would permit individuals to ship lawful handguns through the mail under the same standards already applied to rifles and shotguns. The change would mark the first broad relaxation of a federal restriction enacted in 1927. That long-standing prohibition has limited handgun shipments to licensed dealers only, forcing most private owners to rely on private carriers for transfers.
The 1927 Restriction and Its Origins
Congress passed the ban on mailing concealable firearms nearly a century ago as part of broader efforts to regulate interstate gun movement. The statute, now codified as 18 U.S.C. § 1715, declared pistols, revolvers, and other concealable firearms nonmailable except when sent by or to authorized parties such as licensed dealers.[1] For decades, the rule meant that ordinary gun owners could not use the Postal Service to send handguns to family members, buyers in other states, or repair facilities. Long guns such as rifles and shotguns remained mailable if unloaded and properly packaged, creating a clear distinction that has persisted until now.
Recent Legal and Regulatory Developments
On January 15, 2026, the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel issued a memorandum concluding that the 1927 statute violates the Second Amendment when applied to constitutionally protected firearms. The opinion directed the Postal Service to revise its regulations accordingly.[2] In response, the USPS published a proposed rule on April 2, 2026, in the Federal Register. The proposal would expand mailable firearms to include lawful handguns, provided they meet the same requirements currently applied to long guns. Public comments on the change closed on May 4, and the agency is now evaluating those submissions before issuing a final decision.[3]
Conditions That Would Apply to Handgun Shipments
Under the proposed standards, handguns would need to satisfy several safety and packaging rules already familiar to shippers of rifles and shotguns. These include: – The firearm must be unloaded.
– It must be securely packaged to prevent movement or accidental discharge.
– The package must include tracking and, in many cases, signature confirmation upon delivery.
– Shipments would remain subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding firearm transfers. The Postal Service has indicated that these measures would continue to apply uniformly to all mailable firearms.
Stakeholder Reactions and Potential Impacts
Gun-rights advocates have welcomed the proposal as a restoration of Second Amendment protections and a practical convenience for owners who previously paid higher fees to private carriers. Some state attorneys general, however, have expressed concern that expanded mailing options could complicate enforcement of state-level restrictions and increase risks of prohibited transfers across state lines.[4] For everyday gun owners, the change could reduce costs and simplify transfers between individuals who already comply with background-check requirements. Licensed dealers would continue to operate under existing rules, while private parties would gain an additional shipping option alongside UPS and FedEx.
What Matters Now
The Postal Service continues to review public comments received through May 4. A final rule could take effect later this year, though legal challenges from opposing states remain possible. Gun owners and shippers should monitor official USPS guidance and consult state laws before attempting any handgun shipment.
