People could soon ship handguns through US postal service
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- The Trump administration proposed a rule allowing handguns to be mailed through the USPS for the first time since 1927, challenging a long-standing law that restricted mailing concealable firearms to licensed dealers only.
- The Department of Justice argues the ban violates the Second Amendment and that mail is sometimes the only viable method for lawful firearm transportation across state lines.
- Democratic attorneys general from about two dozen states oppose the change, citing concerns it would undermine state gun laws, make guns more accessible to criminals, and hinder law enforcement investigations.
- Nevada AG Aaron Ford emphasized the rule would undo state efforts to reduce gun violence, especially in light of the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, and criticized it as harmful to survivors and law enforcement.
- Gun rights groups praised the proposal as a victory for lawful gun owners, while gun safety advocates warned it could facilitate illegal gun trafficking and weaken crime prevention efforts.
