WASHINGTON - The U.S. Postal Service is nearing completion of a rule that would allow people to ship handguns through the regular mail, undercutting the oldest federal firearms law in existence and drawing fierce criticism from both sides of the gun debate.

Gun control advocates complained that the proposal would make private sales easier, potentially circumventing background checks. They also worried that more guns in the regular mail means more chances of firearms being lost or stolen.

Second Amendment groups, meanwhile, said the change on handguns is overdue but the Postal Service is still trampling on gun owners’ rights by barring shipment of ammunition and some other firearms that are lawful to own.

“Allowing Americans to ship handguns through the mail is not going to cause the sky to fall,” said Erich Pratt, senior vice president at Gun Owners of America.

Final public comments on the rule change were are due. The Postal Service said in a statement that it is reviewing them.

Story Date: May 11, 2026