USPS Proposes Letting Lawful Handguns Mail Like Long Guns: What Changes (and What Doesn't) for FFLs

The United States Postal Service published a proposed rule in 2026 that would allow licensed firearms manufacturers and dealers to mail handguns to other licensees using the same procedures currently permitted for long guns. If finalized, the rule would remove the longstanding USPS prohibition on mailing handguns, replacing it with restrictions and documentation requirements similar to those for rifles and shotguns.

This guide explains what the proposed rule covers, what it does not change, what requirements would apply to FFLs mailing handguns, and what dealers should watch for as the rule moves toward finalization.

Current USPS Policy on Mailing Firearms

Under current USPS regulations, codified in 39 CFR 52.1:

• Long guns (rifles and shotguns) may be mailed by licensed manufacturers and dealers to other FFLs, provided the package is not marked or labeled to indicate it contains a firearm.
• Handguns are generally prohibited from mailing, with narrow exceptions for manufacturers mailing to military or law enforcement entities and for intra-company shipments.

That means an FFL dealer shipping a rifle to another dealer can use USPS. The same dealer shipping a handgun must use UPS, FedEx, or another commercial carrier. The USPS handgun prohibition has been in place for many years and is cited in ATF guidance and carrier-comparison discussions across the firearms industry.

What the Proposed Rule Would Change

The USPS proposal, if finalized, would remove the handgun mailing prohibition for licensed manufacturers and dealers shipping to other licensees. Handguns would be treated like long guns under USPS policies:

• Licensed manufacturers and dealers could mail handguns to other FFLs for transfer, repair, wholesale, or consignment.
• The package could not be marked or labeled to indicate it contains a firearm.
• The sender would need to comply with USPS packaging and documentation requirements.

The rule does not allow individuals to mail handguns to dealers or dealers to mail handguns directly to customers. It applies only to FFL-to-FFL shipments within the licensed network.

What the Proposed Rule Does Not Change

The proposal maintains several existing USPS and federal restrictions:

1. No Direct-to-Consumer Handgun Mailing

Dealers still cannot mail handguns directly to customers. Federal law requires handgun transfers to occur through a licensed dealer in the recipient’s state. If you sell a handgun online, you ship it to the buyer’s selected receiving dealer, not to the buyer’s home address. That requirement is unaffected by the USPS rule.

2. No Individual-to-FFL Handgun Mailing

Individuals cannot mail handguns to dealers under the proposed rule. An individual who wants to send a handgun to a dealer for repair, consignment, or sale must use a commercial carrier or deliver it in person. USPS does not extend mailing privileges to non-licensees, even when the recipient is an FFL.

3. Ammunition Remains Unaffected

The proposed rule addresses handguns only. USPS policies on mailing ammunition are separate and remain unchanged. USPS allows mailing certain ammunition types under Publication 52; review those requirements if you mail ammunition. Most ecommerce dealers ship ammunition via commercial carriers due to carrier familiarity and insurance options.

4. State and Local Restrictions Still Apply

The USPS rule does not override state or local laws restricting handgun shipments. If a state requires special permits, documentation, or routing for handguns, those requirements remain in place. California, Massachusetts, New York, and other states have their own handgun-transfer rules that apply regardless of the shipping carrier.

5. Packaging and Labeling Requirements Continue

The proposal retains the existing USPS rule that packages containing firearms cannot be marked or labeled to indicate their contents. That restriction applies to both long guns and handguns. Do not write “firearm,” “handgun,” or any similar term on the package exterior. Use a return address that does not reveal the shipment’s contents.

What FFLs Would Need to Do Under the New Rule

If the proposed rule is finalized, licensed manufacturers and dealers mailing handguns via USPS would need to:

1. Confirm the Recipient Is a Licensed FFL

Before mailing a handgun, verify that the recipient holds a current federal firearms license. Obtain a copy of the receiving dealer’s FFL certificate and confirm the license number, name, and address match. Automatic FFL’s certificate network provides scanned FFLs for participating dealers, and Automatic FFL’s dealer database syncs daily against ATF source data.

That verification step is already required under ATF regulations for FFL-to-FFL shipments. The USPS rule does not add to the verification requirement; it simply makes USPS an available carrier option for handguns alongside commercial carriers.

2. Package the Handgun Securely

Use packaging that conceals the contents and protects the firearm during transit. The package should withstand typical postal handling without breaking open or revealing what is inside. USPS provides packaging guidelines for mailing firearms; follow those recommendations for handguns as you would for long guns.

Do not use boxes or packing materials marked with firearm-related branding unless they are completely concealed by outer packaging. The goal is to prevent casual observation from identifying the shipment as a handgun.

3. Do Not Mark the Package as Containing a Firearm

The prohibition on external markings applies to handguns just as it does to long guns. Do not write “firearm,” “handgun,” or any similar term on the package. Do not use a return address that includes “Gun Shop,” “Firearms,” or other obvious references unless the business name is already registered with USPS and the name alone does not reveal the contents.

Some dealers use generic business names or drop-ship addresses for firearm shipments to comply with this requirement. Confirm that your return address and any printed labels do not violate the marking prohibition.

4. Maintain Shipping Records

Keep records of:

• The date mailed
• The receiving dealer’s name, address, and FFL license number
• The USPS tracking number or certified mail receipt
• A copy of the receiving dealer’s FFL certificate

Those records satisfy ATF’s record-keeping requirements under 27 CFR 478.124 and help resolve delivery questions if the package is delayed or lost. Retain the records for the period specified in your FFL record-keeping procedures, typically at least five years.

5. Understand USPS Insurance and Liability Limits

USPS offers insurance for mailed items, but coverage limits and claim procedures differ from UPS and FedEx. Review USPS insurance options and decide whether to insure handgun shipments. Some dealers prefer commercial carriers for high-value firearms due to carrier insurance responsiveness and claims history.

If you mail handguns via USPS, document the shipment value and purchase insurance where appropriate. Understand USPS’s claims process so you can respond quickly if a package is lost or damaged.

When the Rule Might Take Effect

As of October 2026, the USPS handgun-mailing rule remains proposed. USPS published the notice of proposed rulemaking and opened a public comment period. The agency must review comments, address substantive concerns, and publish a final rule before the change takes effect.

Typical timelines for federal rulemaking suggest a final rule could be published within several months to over a year after the comment period closes. When USPS publishes the final rule, it will include an effective date. Until that date, the current handgun-mailing prohibition remains in force.

Do not begin mailing handguns via USPS based on the proposal alone. Wait for the final rule and its effective date before changing your shipping procedures.

Comparing USPS to Commercial Carriers After the Rule

If the rule is finalized, FFLs will be able to choose between USPS and commercial carriers for handgun shipments. Each option has trade-offs:

Evaluate the cost, speed, insurance, and claims responsiveness for your business. Some dealers may use USPS for lower-value handguns and commercial carriers for higher-value or time-sensitive shipments. Test both options after the rule takes effect and track delivery performance and cost.

Practical Implications for FFL Ecommerce Stores

If you sell handguns online and ship them to receiving dealers, the USPS rule would add a carrier option. Your checkout and fulfillment workflow would not change; you still ship to licensed dealers, not directly to customers. The only difference is the available carrier selection.

Continue using your existing FFL compliance tools for dealer selection, license verification, and order documentation. Automatic FFL supports BigCommerce and WooCommerce stores with dealer search, state routing, certificate access, and order-level license details. The carrier you choose for outbound shipments is a separate fulfillment decision.

Monitor USPS’s final rule publication and effective date. When the rule takes effect, test USPS Priority Mail for a sample handgun shipment to confirm packaging, tracking, and delivery performance before making it a standard option.

What to Tell Staff and Customers

When the proposed rule is discussed with staff or customers, explain:

• The rule is proposed, not final. Do not mail handguns via USPS until the final rule takes effect.
• The rule would allow FFL-to-FFL handgun mailing, not direct-to-consumer shipments.
• Handguns would be treated like long guns under USPS policies: no external markings, proper packaging, and shipment to licensed dealers only.
• State and local handgun laws still apply regardless of the carrier used.

Avoid language that suggests the rule changes federal handgun-transfer requirements or allows individuals to mail handguns. The proposal is narrow: it removes the USPS carrier prohibition for licensee-to-licensee shipments while maintaining existing federal and state transfer laws.

Practical Takeaways for FFL Dealers

• The USPS handgun-mailing proposal would let licensed manufacturers and dealers mail handguns to other FFLs using the same procedures as long guns.
• The rule does not allow direct-to-consumer handgun mailing or individual-to-FFL mailing.
• Packaging, labeling, and record-keeping requirements remain in place.
• The rule is proposed, not final. Wait for USPS to publish a final rule and effective date before mailing handguns.
• Compare USPS cost, speed, and insurance to commercial carriers after the rule takes effect.
• Continue using FFL compliance tools for dealer selection, license verification, and order documentation regardless of carrier choice.

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