Proposed Act Would End Ban on Mailing Handguns, Restrict USPS Firearm Shipment Rules

A new bill, titled the "Protecting the Mailing of Firearms Act," is looking to make some major changes to how firearms, ammunition, and their components can be sent through the U.S. Postal Service. At its heart, this legislation would repeal section 1715 of title 18, United States Code – that's the current federal law that makes it illegal to mail concealable firearms like pistols and revolvers. If this Act passes, this repeal would even apply to any pending court cases under that existing law on the day it's enacted, effectively wiping the slate clean.

Opening Up the Mail Stream: What Gets Shipped?

The most immediate change from Section 2 of this bill is the green light for mailing concealable firearms. Right now, 18 U.S.C. § 1715 generally prohibits sending handguns and other easily hidden firearms through the mail, with exceptions mainly for military, law enforcement, and licensed dealers under specific regulations. This bill would remove that blanket prohibition. So, items like pistols and revolvers, previously restricted from the general mail flow, could potentially become mailable items for a broader range of senders and recipients. The bill also tidies up the legal code by striking the reference to section 1715 from chapter 83 of title 18, which deals with postal offenses.

Tying the Postmaster's Hands: New Limits on USPS Rules

Beyond just allowing these firearms in the mail, Section 3 of the Act puts some pretty firm guardrails on what the U.S. Postal Service can do about it. It explicitly prohibits the Postmaster General from creating any new rules that would either ban or "significantly hinder" the mailing of not just firearms, but also ammunition or firearm components. Think of it this way: the USPS wouldn't be able to implement special, potentially restrictive, handling procedures or outright refuse to carry these items if this bill becomes law.

Furthermore, this section also blocks the USPS from requiring licensed firearm dealers or ammunition sellers to disclose sales receipts, transaction records, or any customer data as a condition for mailing. The same goes for demanding firearm serial numbers. This means that information often tracked during firearm sales would not be accessible to the Postal Service as part of the mailing process.

Real-World Ripples: Convenience vs. Concern

So, what does this all mean for everyday folks and businesses? For licensed firearm dealers, manufacturers, and even individual gun owners looking to legally ship firearms or ammunition, this could streamline the process and potentially reduce costs. Sending a handgun to a licensed dealer in another state, or a gunsmith returning a repaired firearm, might become more straightforward.

However, these changes also bring up some serious questions. Removing the long-standing ban on mailing concealable firearms, as outlined in Section 2, and limiting the USPS's ability to regulate these shipments (Section 3) could have significant downstream effects. For instance, it could increase the sheer volume of firearms moving through the general mail system, which might raise concerns about security, potential theft, or accidental misdelivery. It also means less oversight, as the USPS would be barred from collecting data like serial numbers or sales records that could potentially aid law enforcement in tracing firearms. This shift represents a significant reduction in federal oversight on how these items are transported via public mail, a change that could impact everyone from postal workers handling these packages to the general public.