Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Gun Owners of America just scored a major agreement from the federal government. However, GOA is not ready to declare the post-office carry fight over.
The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel now says federal law permits law-abiding citizens to carry constitutionally protected firearms for self-defense inside post offices generally open to the public.
That is a dramatic reversal from the blanket prohibition gun owners have faced for decades.
The question is whether the win will last.
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DOJ Sides With Gun Owners
GOA, Gun Owners Foundation, the NRA and three individual plaintiffs filed Hornbake v. Blanche in May.
The lawsuit challenges 18 U.S.C. § 930(a), which generally restricts firearms inside federal facilities. It also targets 39 C.F.R. § 232.1(l), the Postal Service regulation barring firearms across postal property.
The plaintiffs argue that ordinary post offices cannot be treated like courthouses, prisons or other secured government buildings. Americans have visited post offices since the country’s founding, yet broad firearm restrictions did not appear until much later.
On August 12, the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel released an official opinion addressing firearm carry at post offices.
The opinion focused on an exception already written into federal law. Section 930(d)(3) protects the lawful carrying of firearms connected to hunting or “other lawful purposes.”
According to the OLC, self-defense is exactly that kind of lawful purpose.
The opinion concludes that the executive branch may not enforce the federal statute or USPS regulation against a law-abiding person carrying a protected firearm for self-defense inside a post office generally open to the public.
That is about as clear as a government legal opinion gets.
Why GOA Is Still Fighting
GOA says the DOJ and USPS are responding by changing their position, revising regulations and removing gun-free-zone signs.
That sounds like a win. The problem is what happens after the next change in presidential administrations.
An Office of Legal Counsel opinion guides the executive branch, but it is not the same as a final court judgment or binding settlement. A future administration could withdraw the opinion, reinterpret the statute and attempt to restore the old prohibition.
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GOA says the government is now trying to get the lawsuit dismissed without producing that permanent result.
From GOA’s perspective, dismissing the case would leave gun owners dependent on the current administration’s interpretation. A settlement, declaratory judgment or permanent injunction would be much harder for a future Justice Department to erase.
In other words, GOA does not just want the government to promise it will stop enforcing the ban. It wants the legal door slammed shut.
Don’t Assume Every Postal Property Is Covered
The OLC opinion is significant, but it is not a universal permission slip for every postal location.
It specifically addresses post offices generally open to the public. It does not cover postal facilities closed to the public or every other type of federal property.
Post offices located inside secured airport areas or on military installations can also fall under additional restrictions. State and local carry laws still apply, and the person carrying must otherwise be legally eligible to possess the firearm.
The opinion also does not cleanly settle every question involving parking lots, loading areas and other property surrounding a post office.
There may also be some confusion during the transition. The current online version of the USPS regulation still contains language broadly prohibiting firearms on postal property, even though the OLC says it cannot be enforced against qualifying self-defense carry at public post offices.
Gun owners should verify the laws and restrictions applying to a particular location before carrying there.
A Big Win, But Not Yet a Permanent One
The DOJ opinion gives GOA’s legal argument some serious firepower. The government’s own attorneys now agree that carrying for self-defense qualifies as a lawful purpose under federal law.
That alone represents a major change for millions of gun owners who routinely visit the post office.
GOA’s concern is what comes next. If the lawsuit disappears without a lasting court order or settlement, the policy could disappear with the next administration.
For now, the old blanket-ban theory appears to be crumbling. GOA wants to make sure nobody can quietly rebuild it later.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
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– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
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