DOJ Ruling May Prompt Revisions in Handgun Shipment Protocols

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Since its inception nearly a century ago, the rule prohibiting the mailing of handguns has stood firm. Now, the Department of Justice is considering a significant shift, sparking a lively debate among advocates and opponents alike.

In a landmark decision this January, the DOJ deemed the United States Postal Service’s policy against mailing handguns unconstitutional. Following this, the USPS introduced a proposal last month that would potentially allow individuals to send concealable firearms, such as pistols and revolvers, through the mail.

On the local front, opinions diverge, even among supporters of the Second Amendment. Both a local police chief and a gun rights activist expressed their backing of the constitutional right to bear arms, yet they acknowledged different concerns regarding the potential implications of this policy change.

“I do have maybe a little concern about just anyone being able to send handguns through the mail,” commented Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler, highlighting a common worry about the ease of access such a change might bring.

Wheeler said he sees both the pros and cons of the USPS allowing handguns to be shipped by anyone and to anyone. Right now, individuals or businesses must have a federal firearms license — or FFL — to deal guns and ammunition.

“There’s very strict policies on them to do that,” Wheeler said.

With the proposed changes, he said he’s worried about the potential downstream impacts.

“Number one, will robbery increase through the post office?” Wheeler said.

And he said tracking these guns will be a new challenge.

“And who’s the new owners? Who is going to be, responsible, you know, from point A to point B to make sure it gets the right person’s hands?” Wheeler said.

But Guns Save Life executive director John Boch said this will make it easier to transfer legal guns to legal owners.

“I don’t have to take the handgun to a dealer, pay him a fee to put it on to his books, pay him to ship it overnight via UPS or Federal Express, and then have it delivered to an FFL of your choice,” Boch said. “And then for you to pay another 50 bucks to your FFL to have the gun transferred to you.”

He said he isn’t worried about the security concerns.

“If there’s a firearm in the package, it’s going to be well cared for,” Boch said. “It’s not going to be lost or stolen in the mail, unless it’s an organized ring. And that won’t last long with the postal inspectors. They don’t mess around.”

Wheeler said he hopes to find a balance.

“I can see people saying that law abiding citizens have a right to ship weapons,” Wheeler said. “But then again, from a law enforcement standpoint, we have to look at the safety of our cities.”

Chief Wheeler said if the changes do go through, he thinks it will take a long time to implement. Boch on the other hand thinks it will get put in place fairly quickly. Right now, the government hasn’t given a timeline for when changes could go into effect.

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DOJ Ruling May Prompt Revisions in Handgun Shipment Protocols

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