The United States Postal Service is considering a proposed rule change that would allow handguns to be shipped through the mail, reversing a policy that has been in place for nearly 100 years.

The proposal, filed last month during the Trump administration, would permit Americans to mail concealable firearms such as pistols and revolvers to recipients across the country. Currently, federal law prohibits the mailing of handguns through USPS, though long-barreled rifles and shotguns can be shipped with certain protections and requirements.

The Justice Department has argued that the current patchwork of varying state gun laws creates difficulties for lawful gun owners who need to transport firearms across state lines for legitimate purposes including target shooting, hunting, and self-defense.

If approved, the new rule would establish protections for handgun shipments similar to those already required for mailing rifles and shotguns. The specific safety measures and verification requirements that would govern handgun shipments have not been detailed in the available information about the proposal.

The proposed rule change represents a significant shift in postal policy regarding firearms. The USPS has maintained restrictions on handgun shipments for decades, requiring such firearms to be transported through private shipping companies or other means when crossing state lines.