The U.S. Postal Service unveiled a draft rule that would let customers ship unloaded handguns in sealed packages, treating them like shotguns and long‑barreled rifles. The change follows a Justice Department opinion that the 1927 law barring such shipments violates the Second Amendment. The proposal, released in April, opens a regulatory gap that gun‑rights groups say corrects an outdated restriction.

Democratic attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia slammed the rule as unlawful, arguing Congress cannot be overridden by an agency. Led by Delaware, New Jersey and New York, they warn the shift will complicate tracing handguns and increase costs for local police. Their objections echo broader legal challenges the Trump administration faces on regulatory overreach. They also cite public‑safety data.

Shipping firms such as Amazon, FedEx and UPS remain outside the USPS framework, keeping their own licensing restrictions. Gun‑rights advocates hail the move as a victory for lawful owners who currently cannot mail handguns for hunting trips or moves. Law‑enforcement groups, however, fear the rule could become a conduit for prohibited weapons, prompting likely litigation if adopted.