USPS mulls allowing handguns to be shipped through mail

The Trump administration proposed a rule allowing the U.S. Postal Service to mail handguns directly to consumers, marking a major shift in federal firearms shipping policy. Currently, USPS prohibits mailing handguns entirely, while permitting long-barreled rifles and shotguns under strict protocols that require licensed dealers to handle transfers.

The proposed regulation would apply safeguards similar to existing rifle and shotgun rules to concealable weapons including pistols and revolvers. Under current law, handguns can only move through licensed firearms dealers, not the mail system. The administration's proposal eliminates that restriction.

Gun rights advocates argue the change aligns federal rules and reduces barriers to legal firearm purchases. Opponents contend mailing handguns increases risks of weapons reaching prohibited buyers, criminals, or dangerous individuals. Law enforcement groups have historically opposed mail handgun schemes citing public safety concerns.

The proposal faces scrutiny from Democrats who control parts of Congress and from postal worker unions concerned about employee safety. USPS management has not publicly endorsed the change. The rule requires a comment period before the Postal Service can implement it.

This move aligns with Trump's broader deregulation agenda and reflects Republican priorities on Second Amendment access. It directly contradicts prior USPS policy and decades of restrictions on small arms through the mail. The change would fundamentally alter how Americans purchase and receive handguns, potentially bypassing existing dealer background check systems in some transactions depending on final rule language.

Implementation faces legal challenges from gun control advocates who argue the rule violates public safety requirements embedded in postal law. The administrative process could take months to resolve.

THE TAKEAWAY: The Trump administration's proposal reshapes federal firearms policy by removing longstanding barriers to mail-delivered handguns, triggering conflicts between gun rights expansion and public safety concerns.