Post Office Carry Ban Falls as DOJ Drops Appeal (2026)

The federal post office carry ban is done. In July 2026, the Department of Justice dropped its appeal in the case challenging the ban — leaving in place a ruling that declared it unconstitutional. Here is what the ban was, how it fell, and what the DOJ’s decision means for gun owners.

The short version: A federal court in Texas struck down the post office carry ban as unconstitutional in September 2025. On July 16, 2026, the DOJ filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss its own appeal, making that win permanent for the plaintiffs and the Second Amendment Foundation’s members. The case was brought by the Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition.

What the post office carry ban was

For decades, federal law made it a crime to carry or even possess a firearm on U.S. Postal Service property — a rule that reached beyond the counter to include post office buildings and their parking lots. Lawful concealed-carry permit holders who simply drove onto postal property armed could find themselves on the wrong side of a federal statute.

The case and the ruling

The Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition, joined by two individuals, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in 2024. In September 2025, the court agreed with them, holding that the blanket ban on carrying firearms on postal property could not survive Second Amendment scrutiny, and it issued an injunction against enforcement.

A United States Post Office, subject of the federal post office carry ban — A US Post Office building Public domain

Why the DOJ dropping its appeal matters

A district-court win can still be undone on appeal, so the fight was not truly over — until now. On July 16, 2026, the DOJ moved to voluntarily dismiss its appeal. As a result, there is no higher-court review, and the ruling striking down the post office carry ban stands as the final word in the case. In the challengers’ words, the outcome brings “finality and clarity” to a hard-won injunction.

What it means for gun owners

The injunction protects the plaintiffs and the Second Amendment Foundation’s members. That said, coverage depends on the terms of the order and your own circumstances, and postal policy is federal, so this is an area where specifics matter. This article explains the case; it is not legal advice. If you plan to carry on or near postal property, confirm your situation with a qualified attorney first. We are tracking the fallout in our weekly Second Amendment news roundup.

This win lands amid a busy season in the courts. See how a federal appeals court struck down New Jersey’s assault weapons ban, and browse all of our Second Amendment News coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Is the post office carry ban still in effect?

A federal court struck down the ban as unconstitutional in September 2025 and issued an injunction. On July 16, 2026, the DOJ dropped its appeal, so that ruling now stands as the final outcome for those covered by the injunction.

Can I carry a firearm in a post office now?

The injunction protects the plaintiffs and the Second Amendment Foundation’s members. Coverage and local circumstances vary, so confirm your situation with a qualified attorney before carrying on postal property — this article is not legal advice.

What was the post office carry ban?

A long-standing federal law that made it a crime to carry or possess a firearm on U.S. Postal Service property, including post office buildings and parking lots.

Why does the DOJ dropping its appeal matter?

When the government voluntarily dismissed its appeal on July 16, 2026, it ended the case in the challengers’ favor. The district court’s ruling striking down the ban became final rather than being reviewed by a higher court.

Who brought the case?

The Second Amendment Foundation and Firearms Policy Coalition, along with two individuals, filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in 2024.

Sources: Second Amendment Foundation, Bearing Arms, Daily Caller.