Attorney General Jay Jones announced on May 6 that he has joined a coalition of 22 states in signing a comment letter opposing a proposal by the United States Postal Service to allow certain firearms to be mailed across state lines. The group says this change would make it easier for people barred from owning guns under state law to obtain them and could undermine public safety.
The multistate effort argues that the proposed rule, which follows a January 2026 opinion from the Department of Justice declaring an existing federal statute unconstitutional, would let individuals avoid background checks and access illegal firearms. “This loophole puts guns in the hands of those barred by Virginia law from buying weapons, and it allows people to blatantly dodge background checks and access illegal firearms,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “The federal government continues to undermine the law and putting our communities at risk in the process.”
For nearly a century, federal law has prohibited mailing certain concealable firearms through USPS. However, after the recent DOJ opinion, USPS published a proposed rule on April 2 to align with this guidance. The coalition’s letter contends that only Congress can change such statutes and warns that loosening these restrictions could allow prohibited persons—including felons or domestic abusers—to receive guns through the mail despite state laws against their possession.
According to the letter, allowing firearms shipments without oversight will complicate efforts by law enforcement agencies already dealing with budget challenges and reduce their ability to trace gun crimes effectively. It also notes concerns about types of weapons potentially shipped—including assault weapons or silencers—that may be banned under some state laws.
Jones was joined by attorneys general from New Jersey, New York, Delaware (who co-led), as well as Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont Washington and Washington D.C., according to the official website. The Attorney General of Virginia provides legal counsel for state agencies while promoting public safety; offers services such as consumer protection resources; addresses issues like human trafficking; supports civil rights enforcement; serves all residents of Virginia; and is currently led by its 48th officeholder according to the official website.
The attorneys general maintain that this policy shift is not required under Second Amendment protections because it regulates postal delivery rather than firearm ownership itself—a distinction consistent with historical practice since Congress first enacted such limits in 1927.
