USPS Proposal to Allow Handgun Shipments Faces Legal and Safety Backlash

Key facts

• USPS confirmed six banned items and asked senders not to mail them.
• Attorney General Raoul opposes a proposed USPS rule that would allow handguns to be mailed.
• Brady warns the proposal would increase gun trafficking by enabling unlicensed mail-order sales.
• The proposed rule would allow handguns to be shipped through the U.S. Postal Service.
• Current law restricts mailing of handguns, with exceptions for licensed dealers and law enforcement.
• A man was stabbed in an alleged robbery gone wrong on a busy beachside street in Adelaide.
• Post Office acknowledged an ECCO+ user’s calls for help from three decades ago.
• Egypt opened a modernised Beni Suef Post Office as part of a nationwide digital transformation drive.

A Rule Change That Could Reshape Gun Commerce

The United States Postal Service is considering a regulatory change that would permit handguns to be mailed through the postal system for the first time in decades, a move that has ignited fierce opposition from state attorneys general and gun-control advocates. The proposal, which would amend existing restrictions that largely bar the mailing of handguns, is framed by the USPS as a modernization of its service. But critics argue it would create a dangerous loophole, allowing individuals to circumvent background checks and state firearm laws by purchasing guns through the mail.

Attorney General Raoul Leads Legal Challenge

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has formally opposed the proposed rule, warning that it would unlawfully enable access to guns through the mail. In a statement, Raoul argued that the change would undermine existing firearm regulations and increase the risk of weapons falling into the wrong hands. Raoul’s opposition is part of a broader pushback from state officials who fear the rule would preempt state-level gun control measures. The attorney general’s office has not yet specified whether it will pursue litigation if the rule is finalized.

Brady Campaign Warns of Trafficking Surge

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, in a formal comment submitted to the USPS, warned that the proposal would lead to a significant increase in gun trafficking. The group highlighted that allowing handguns to be mailed would enable unlicensed individuals to purchase firearms without background checks, a practice currently prohibited under federal law. Brady’s analysis points to data showing that a substantial portion of illegal guns are trafficked across state lines, often through private sales that bypass background checks. The group argues that the USPS rule would exacerbate this problem by creating a new, unregulated channel for gun distribution.

Current Restrictions and the Proposed Loophole

Under existing U.S. law, the mailing of handguns is heavily restricted. Licensed firearms dealers may ship handguns to other licensed dealers, and law enforcement agencies may receive them for official use. Private individuals are generally prohibited from mailing handguns, a rule designed to prevent anonymous gun sales. The proposed USPS rule would relax these restrictions, allowing non-licensed individuals to ship handguns through the postal service. Critics say this would effectively create a mail-order gun market, making it easier for people to buy and sell firearms without the oversight of a licensed dealer.

Wider Context: Postal Service and Public Safety

The USPS has also confirmed a list of six banned items that should not be sent through the mail, though it did not specify whether handguns would be added to that list under the new rule. The agency’s move comes amid broader debates over gun control in the United States, where mass shootings and gun violence remain persistent issues. Internationally, postal services are undergoing transformations. Egypt recently opened a modernised Beni Suef Post Office as part of a nationwide digital transformation drive, while in Australia, the Post Office acknowledged an ECCO+ user’s calls for help from three decades ago. In Grenfell, a local post office faces closure, highlighting the challenges faced by postal services worldwide.

What Comes Next: Public Comment and Potential Litigation

The USPS is currently accepting public comments on the proposed rule, with a deadline expected in the coming weeks. The agency will then review the feedback before deciding whether to finalize the change. If the rule is adopted, legal challenges from states like Illinois are likely. Attorney General Raoul has signaled his readiness to take action, and gun-control groups are preparing to lobby Congress to block the measure. The outcome will have significant implications for gun commerce and public safety in the United States.

A Debate That Reflects Deeper Divides

The USPS handgun proposal has become a flashpoint in America’s ongoing struggle over gun rights and regulation. Supporters argue it would streamline legitimate firearm commerce, while opponents see it as a dangerous erosion of safeguards. As the comment period closes and the agency deliberates, the controversy underscores the enduring tension between the Second Amendment and efforts to curb gun violence. The decision, whatever it may be, will likely reverberate through courts, legislatures, and communities across the country.

The bottom line

• The USPS proposal would allow handguns to be mailed, overturning decades of restrictions.
• Attorney General Raoul and the Brady Campaign oppose the rule, citing increased gun trafficking and bypassed background checks.
• Current law limits handgun mailing to licensed dealers and law enforcement; the rule would open it to private individuals.
• The USPS is accepting public comments before deciding on the rule; legal challenges are expected if it passes.
• The debate highlights broader national divisions over gun control and the role of federal agencies in regulating firearms.