Justice Department memo says federal law may permit guns in public post offices for self-defense

In an August 12 memorandum, the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel evaluated whether 18 U.S.C. § 930(a) bans a law-abiding person from bringing a firearm into a post office for self-defense. The memo points to an exemption in § 930(d)(3) that allows "lawful carrying" of firearms in federal facilities for lawful purposes. It interprets this to include individuals who are legally allowed to possess a gun and who enter a publicly accessible post office with the intent of self-defense.

The document clarifies that the exemption excludes people barred from gun ownership, such as convicted felons, domestic-violence offenders, those institutionalized for mental health reasons, and illegal immigrants, as well as anyone lacking a valid state license where required. The analysis further argues that the statutory language does not demand a direct link between the reason for entering the building and the reason for carrying the weapon. The memo was authored by Lanora C. Pettit, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General.