A federal district court in Texas has ruled that the ban on possessing and carrying firearms in U.S. post offices is unconstitutional. The decision was issued on September 30 by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, siding with the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners who challenged the restrictions.
The court granted summary judgment in favor of SAF, providing both declaratory and injunctive relief. This means that the ban cannot be enforced against the plaintiffs, including members of SAF. The lawsuit, originally filed in June 2024 under the case name FPC v. Bondi, questioned whether laws prohibiting firearms carry inside post offices and on postal property were constitutional. SAF was joined by the Firearms Policy Coalition and two private citizens.
Adam Kraut, executive director of SAF, commented: “Millions of people across the country visit the U.S. Post Office as part of their daily routine. As we’ve stated throughout this case, there is no historical tradition of banning firearms at post offices, and peaceable Americans all over the country should not be forced to choose between using basic postal services and the exercise of their fundamental rights. Today’s ruling is an encouraging step towards restoring these rights.”
The court’s opinion stated: “The Court determines that both 18 U.S.C. § 930(a) and 39 C.F.R. § 232.1(1) are inconsistent with the principles that underpin this Nation’s regulatory tradition. Thus, they are unconstitutional as-applied to carrying firearms inside an ordinary post office or on post office property.”
Alan M. Gottlieb, founder and executive vice president of SAF, said: “This is a huge win for SAF and its members. There is no historical analogue to justify a ban on carrying a firearm on postal property, and we are pleased the court rightly saw through this thinly veiled attempt at preventing citizens from fully exercising their constitutional rights.”
Republished with permission from Second Amendment Foundation.
