On Wednesday, the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) at the Department of Justice conveyed to Attorney General Todd Blanche that existing laws do not prevent individuals from carrying firearms in post offices, thanks to wide-ranging exceptions that include many concealed carry holders.
There have been conflicting decisions from federal district courts, and previously, the Trump administration had withdrawn an appeal challenging a district court’s ruling which deemed the ban unconstitutional, following the Supreme Court’s Wolford ruling. In a memo, the OLC informed Blanche that 18 USC 930, a statute commonly referenced in gun possession restrictions within United States Postal Service (USPS) locations, contains an exemption for individuals who carry firearms for lawful reasons, including self-defense. This means that the risk of facing criminal charges for possessing a gun in a post office or on USPS grounds is significantly reduced.
🚨Breaking news🚨
According to @mayu_1212, Americans are allowed to carry in @USPS buildings due to the “lawful purpose” exception found in 18 USC 930.
The Justice Department’s argument is so expansive that it might apply to various other federal facilities as well. pic.twitter.com/01LTnBZfcO
— America’s Gun Owners (@GunOwners) August 13, 2026
The OLC memo states, “Congress made an exemption for ‘lawful carrying’ of firearms and other dangerous weapons related to ‘hunting or other lawful purposes.’ Carrying a weapon for self-defense when entering a public building represents a clear ‘lawful purpose’, thus permitting the legal carrying of a constitutionally protected firearm within a post office.”
The Department of Justice reiterated its position in a July document that stated an injunction against the enforcement of certain aspects of the National Firearms Act (NFA) is anticipated to be issued in September 2025. This would prevent the enforcement of the import ban, marking a significant win for gun rights proponents.
Some advocates of the Second Amendment have shown their displeasure with how the Trump administration has handled particular gun regulations, like the NFA, in the face of legal challenges. However, senior officials within the administration have indicated that such critiques may not be justified. Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, suggested in a June interview that discussions regarding these policies should begin in Congress rather than in the public sphere, stating that those who are responding to lawsuits on behalf of the United States may not align with her defense stance.
In an April memo, the Department of Justice pointed to the Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, which questioned the legality of mailing firearms, prompting the USPS to consider new regulations to permit their shipment.
