DOJ Says Law-Abiding Americans Can Carry Guns in Public Post Offices

Ammo Land ^

[LouAvul]

The United States Department of Justice has released a formal Office of Legal Counsel memorandum opinion clarifying that law-abiding Americans may carry constitutionally protected firearms into publicly accessible post offices for self-defense without violating federal criminal law. The opinion, dated August 12, 2026, and authored by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Lanora C. Pettit, interprets 18 U.S.C. § 930(a), the longstanding prohibition on possessing firearms or other dangerous weapons in federal facilities, as not reaching ordinary self-defense carry in post offices open to the public.

Section 930(a) makes it a federal crime to knowingly possess a firearm in a federal facility, defined as a building or portion thereof owned or leased by the federal government where federal employees regularly perform official duties. Post offices clearly qualify under this definition. However, subsection (d)(3) creates an explicit exception for the “lawful carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons in a Federal facility incident to hunting or other lawful purposes.”

The OLC concludes that self-defense constitutes a paradigmatic “lawful purpose.” Critically, the opinion holds that no special nexus is required between the reason a person enters the post office and the reason for carrying the firearm. Simply entering a public post office while lawfully armed for self-defense falls within the statutory exception. The memorandum further determines that the longstanding Postal Service regulation at 39 C.F.R. § 232.1(l), which imposes a blanket ban on firearms on postal property, cannot be enforced against individuals covered by the statutory exception. A congressional statute prevails over an agency regulation. Therefore, neither federal prosecutors nor the Postal Service may impose criminal penalties under § 930(a) or the regulation against otherwise law-abiding citizens who carry for self-defense in post offices generally open to the public.

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[LouAvul]

Govt bureaucrats. As it stands, I cannot even come onto USPS property with a two shot derringer in my pocket. But I can go in the post office with an AR15 w/30 round mag to mail to an FFL.

They're worse than retired teachers.

[aynrandfreak]

Need a fighting chance against someone going postal

[joesbucks]

We’re all law abiding until we’re not.

[joesbucks]

We’re all law abiding until we’re not.

[T-Bird45]

The logic explained in the article should apply equally to National Park buildings such as interpretive centers, gift shops, etc. It is already legal to carry pursuant to the laws of the state where the park is located but buildings, even restrooms, are prohibited areas. This needs to be changed.

[Resolute Conservative]

I carry everywhere, concealed means concealed.

[ansel12]

Imagine a city where horse cops, and foot beat cops, and bicycle cops, had to play the game of removing their pistol and hiding it to go in here or there during their day.

[1Old Pro]

They're worse than retired teachers.

and that's a high hurdle.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Something you want to confess?

[Seruzawa]

The biggest danger in any post office is the SSRI-addled employees.

[stevio]

In the eyes of the government, we’re all criminals. They just haven’t charged us yet.

[Macoozie]

PO is Federal Property.
Different rules apply.

[LouAvul]

Not to worry. The RATs are already bragging how they’re going to suspend the Constitution as payback when they get back into power. They intend to go total Mao on us.

[grcuster]

Well the DemoncRats favorite poster child, Bill Ayers, said he needed to eliminate 25m Americans who couldn’t be “re-educated”. So we already know their intent as they have demonstrated the use of violence since Trump took office and their rhetoric.

Paladin’s motto is important in this age: Have gun will travel.