{"id":2645601,"date":"2026-08-16T06:24:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T10:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mundane-doj-memo-on-post-office-gun-bans-is-actually-bigger-deal-than-you-think\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T06:25:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T10:25:38","slug":"mundane-doj-memo-on-post-office-gun-bans-is-actually-bigger-deal-than-you-think","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mundane-doj-memo-on-post-office-gun-bans-is-actually-bigger-deal-than-you-think\/","title":{"rendered":"Mundane DOJ Memo on Post Office Gun Bans Is Actually Bigger Deal Than You Think"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmundane-doj-memo-on-post-office-gun-bans-is-actually-bigger-deal-than-you-think%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2645601&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses a recent legal clarification from the Department of Justice\u2019s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), which informed Attorney General Todd Blanche that, under current law, firearms are not prohibited in post offices due to an exemption for lawful carrying. This decision follows conflicting rulings by federal courts regarding bans on firearms in USPS facilities.The OLC memo explains that the statute 18 USC 930 includes an exemption for the lawful carrying of firearms for purposes such as self-defense,which permits carrying guns inside post offices. Consequently, the DOJ filed a notice with the Fifth Circuit to drop an appeal of a court decision that blocked enforcement of the carry ban, allowing the injunction to remain in effect. Additionally, the DOJ has taken steps to challenge restrictions on mailing firearms, citing supreme Court rulings that support the right to do so. The article also touches on internal debates within the government about gun regulations and the role of Congress in policy decisions.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Department of Justice\u2019s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) informed Attorney General Todd Blanche Wednesday that under current law, firearms were not banned in post offices under a broad exception covering many who carry concealed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Federal district courts have issued conflicting rulings, with the Trump administration previously electing to <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/saf.org\/saf-victorious-in-post-office-carry-case\/\">drop an appeal<\/a> of a district court ruling that found the ban unconstitutional after the Supreme Court\u2019s Wolford decision.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">In the <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/olc\/media\/1457751\/dl\">memo<\/a>, the OLC advised Blanche that the provisions of 18 USC 930, one of the more commonly used statutes to justify a ban on carrying guns in United States Postal Service (USPS) buildings, contained an exemption that applied to those who lawfully carry firearms for lawful purposes including self-defense self-defense, removing the threat of criminal prosecution for having a gun inside a post office or on USPS property.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cCongress has exempted the \u2018lawful carrying\u2019 \u05bbof firearms or other dangerous weapons \u2018incident to hunting or other lawful purposes,\u2019\u201d the OLC memo says. \u201cBecause carrying arms for self-defense when entering a building held open to the \u05bbpublic is a \u05bbparadigmatic \u2018lawful purpose,\u2019 that exception permits the lawful carrying of constitutionally protected firearms in post offices.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The Department of Justice (DOJ) made its position known in a July <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/saf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Post-Office-Appeal-dismissal-7.16.26.pdf\">filing<\/a> with the Fifth Circuit that dropped the appeal, allowing a nationwide <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/assets.nationbuilder.com\/firearmspolicycoalition\/pages\/7502\/attachments\/original\/1759265414\/35_summary_judgment_order.pdf\">injunction<\/a> issued in September 2025 blocking enforcement of the carry ban, to stand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The decision comes one day after the DOJ allowed an injunction against the enforcement of certain provisions of the National Firearms Act (NFA) by declining to appeal a ruling that found restrictions on suppressors and other items unconstitutional because the removal of associated taxes ended any connection with raising revenue, marking a significant victory for gun-rights advocates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Although certain Second Amendment supporters have voiced dissatisfaction with the Trump administration\u2019s defense of specific gun regulations, such as the NFA, against legal challenges, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-denies-politics-played-role-in-decision-to-keep-space-command-in-colorado\/\" title=\"White House denies political influence in ... to keep Space Command in Colorado.\">senior administration official informed<\/a> the DCNF that these criticisms were unwarranted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cI understand people have policy differences with DOJ\u2019s enforcement of federal laws, but, in my opinion, and I\u2019ve said this to many gun groups, the appropriate place to launch those policy discussions is in Congress, not with us,\u201d Assistant Attorney General for Civil Right Harmeet Dhillon told the DCNF during a June interview.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">\u201cWe have, I mean, not me, but other people in this building regularly respond to all kinds of litigation on behalf of the United States where I don\u2019t necessarily agree with what we\u2019re defending.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The DOJ issued a <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/olc\/media\/1423701\/dl\">memo<\/a> in April questioning a ban on mailing firearms, citing the Supreme Court\u2019s decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, prompting the USPS to prepare new regulations to allow the mailing of firearms.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimer\">\n<p>All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter\u2019s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact <a href=\"http:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/mailto:licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org\">licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]] = document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display = 'block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src = firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id'] = firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting = jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display = 'block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The DOJ\u2019s OLC told AG Blanche that firearms aren\u2019t banned in post offices due to a broad legal exception for concealed carry. Courts have conflicting rulings; the Trump admin dropped an appeal after a ruling found the ban unconstitutional<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2645602,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_1388.jpeg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[7076,5045,50385,34157],"class_list":["post-2645601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-doj","tag-government","tag-gun-control-2","tag-postal-service"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_1388.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645601","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2645601"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645601\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2645605,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645601\/revisions\/2645605"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2645602"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2645601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2645601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2645601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}