USPS Bans Mailing Concealable Firearms: Guns No Longer Go Postal
Published Date: 4/2/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Postal Service is updating its rules to ban mailing concealable firearms, following a legal opinion from the Department of Justice. This change affects anyone who ships guns through the mail and aims to keep things safer and clearer. Comments on the new rules are open until May 4, 2026, so speak up if you have thoughts!
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Lawful handguns may be mailed
The Postal Service proposes to allow lawful handguns (pistols and revolvers) to be mailed under the same terms and conditions as lawful rifles and shotguns, following the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel opinion dated January 15, 2026. Mailed firearms must be unloaded and remain subject to federal and state laws, including the Gun Control Act (18 U.S.C. 922) and 27 CFR part 478.
Authorized officials can receive otherwise nonmailable handguns
Handguns that would otherwise be nonmailable may be mailed to authorized persons (including military officers, National Guard officers, law enforcement officers, authorized Postal Service employees, federal enforcement officers, watchmen, and designated purchasing agents) when the required affidavit or certificate is filed as described in sections 432.21–432.24.
Non‑FFL owners may ship out‑of‑state with conditions
Non-Federal Firearms License (non-FFL) owners may mail mailable firearms to themselves or another person in another state if the mailpiece is addressed to the recipient, includes an 'in the care of' endorsement before the temporary custodian's name, is opened by the recipient, and is mailed using tracking and signature capture.
FFL-to-FFL shipments are unrestricted
Mailing firearms between licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealers, manufacturers, or importers is unrestricted, and the Postal Service recommends using a mail class or service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.
Tracking, signature, and packing rules required
If you mail a mailable firearm, the Postal Service requires use of a USPS product or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery, forbids any outside markings that indicate the contents, and requires the firearm to be unloaded; USPS may require opening the package or written certification that the firearm is unloaded.
NFA items and undetectable guns stay nonmailable
Firearms subject to the National Firearms Act (for example, short-barrel rifles, machineguns, and destructive devices) and firearms that, after removal of grips/stocks/magazines, are not detectable by metal detectors or x-ray machines remain nonmailable, except as provided in limited authorized circumstances (see section 432.2).
High‑speed air guns require Adult Signature
Air guns that are mailable may be shipped, but any shipment containing an air gun with a muzzle velocity of 400 feet per second (fps) or more must include an Adult Signature service per DMM 503.8, and mailers remain responsible for compliance with state and local rules.
Indemnity claims allowed for lost or severely damaged firearms
If a firearm is lost during Postal Service handling, you may file an indemnity claim; if a firearm is damaged, a claim may be filed when a reputable dealer's estimated repair cost exceeds the declared or actual value at the time of mailing (see DMM 609).
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Key Dates
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