TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and a coalition of 22 states are opposing a U.S. Postal Service proposal that would allow certain firearms to be shipped through the mail, arguing the change would undermine public safety and violate federal law.
In a multistate comment letter, the attorneys general said the proposed rule conflicts with a longstanding federal statute dating back to 1927 that bars the mailing of certain concealable firearms. The law has remained in place for nearly a century without being invalidated by courts.
The opposition follows a January 2026 opinion from the U.S. Department of Justice declaring the statute unconstitutional and directing the Postal Service to issue regulations reflecting that stance. The USPS published its proposed rule April 2.
State officials argue the executive branch does not have the authority to override a law enacted by Congress and warn that allowing firearms to be shipped through the mail without going through licensed dealers could increase access for prohibited individuals, including felons and domestic abusers.
“The federal government’s refusal to follow a century-old common sense firearm safety law threatens the rule of law and public safety,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Turning the Postal Service into a tool to ship guns into our states, in violation of our laws, will make it more difficult to keep guns out of the hands of felons and other dangerous people. And it will make it harder for law enforcement to solve gun crimes. The U.S. Postal Service should follow federal law, instead of undermining the safety of our families.”
Officials said the proposed change could also make it harder for law enforcement to trace firearms used in crimes, increasing investigative costs and placing additional strain on state budgets.
According to the letter, 79% of crime guns recovered in New Jersey are traced to out-of-state federally licensed dealers, and eliminating that tracking structure could hinder investigations.
The attorneys general also argued that the Second Amendment does not require the Postal Service to adopt the rule, noting the law regulates mailing practices, not the right to own firearms.
Davenport co-led the letter with the attorneys general of New York and Delaware. Other states joining the effort include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia.
