New Rule May Allow for Montana Residents to Mail Handguns

In recent months, the main headline when talking about the United States Postal Service (USPS) has been that of whether they would be able to stay afloat financially.  But behind the headlines, the agency has also been reviewing federal laws that govern them.

via GIPHY

One of those federal laws has been on the books for nearly a century, but a proposed rule change may see a reversal very soon on the legality of shipping a handgun through the postal service.

Get our free mobile app

New Rule May Allow for Montana Residents to Mail Handguns

For the average person, mailing a handgun through the USPS has been illegal under federal law since 1927.  In order to be able to ship a firearm, an individual needed to Federal Firearm License (FFL) holder.

READ MORE:  Veteran's Memorial Day Celebration Details in Great Falls

But since a legal opinion in January 2026 by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the postal service has proposed a new rule allowing for the mailing of handguns, such as pistols and revolvers.  The DOJ argued that the 1927 law "violated the Second Amendment, stating if Congress operates a parcel service, it cannot refuse to ship constitutionally protected firearms by law abiding citizens."

New Proposal Would Follow Old Rules; No Final Decision Yet by USPS

If the new proposal were to become law, handguns would be required to follow the same safety requirements that are already in place for "long" guns.  Those laws include secure packaging, and the weapon must be unloaded among other rules.

USPS proposed the rule change in April of this year and allowed for public comment on the update until May 4, 2026.  With the comment period now closed, the United States Postal Service is now reviewing feedback from the public before making a final decision on the matter.