USPS Proposes Rule to Allow Concealable Firearms to Be Sent Via Mail, Democrats Write Opposition Letter

The United States Postal Service could deliver handguns to citizens.

According to a CBS News article published Friday, February 8, USPS proposed a new rule on April 2 that would make it legal to mail concealable firearms, after the Department of Justice argued in January that a 1927 law barring that violates the Second Amendment.

The DOJ said if Congress continues to have a parcel service, “The Second Amendment precludes it from refusing to ship constitutionally protected firearms to and from law-abiding citizens, even if they are not licensed manufacturers or dealers,” per CBS News.

USPS spokesperson David Walton shared a statement with the outlet on Thursday, May 7, explaining the rule was proposed “to conform with the opinion of the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel regarding the constitutionality of Section 1715 of title 18 U.S. Code, which prohibits the mailing of concealable firearms. The public comment period ended close of business May 4th, and we are reviewing comments.”

Meanwhile, Democratic attorneys general in about two dozen states sent USPS a letter on Monday, May 4, asking the agency to reconsider.

“The Proposed Rule relatedly harms States by providing a readily-accessible mechanism for transfers of firearms that bypass” federal firearms licenses,” the letter states, according to the outlet. “Under the status quo, FFLs shoulder the burden of confirming compliance with state and federal law — including by referring each transferee for a background check and verifying that state law allows such transferee to own the particular weapon mailed.”

As of now, certain firearms, such as shotguns, can be mailed via USPS if they’re unloaded and securely packaged, CBS News reported.