Comment on FR Doc # 2026-09182

To the Director and Staff of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed rule changes that would roll back critical firearm safety measures, specifically the elimination of the century-old U.S. Postal Service ban on mailing firearms and the loosening of restrictions on firearm possession by individuals with severe mental illness or substance abuse disorders. As a law-abiding citizen and gun owner who respects the Second Amendment, I believe these rollbacks are not only unnecessary but dangerously misguided. They would directly undermine public safety in favor of convenience for a small minority of sellers, at the expense of every American family. The USPS Mailing Ban: The current ban on mailing firearms through the U.S. Postal Service is not an antiquated rule—it is a vital layer of oversight. The USPS has a strict chain of custody and a highly regulated process for hazardous materials. Rolling this back would allow firearms to be shipped through the same channels as routine parcels, increasing the risk of theft, loss, and diversion into the hands of criminals, all while bypassing the rigorous tracking and signature requirements that private carriers like UPS and FedEx currently provide. This is a solution in search of a problem, and it will make it easier for straw purchasers to illegally transfer weapons. Expanding Access for Those with Mental Illness and Substance Abuse: I am a direct victim of the very danger this proposed change would amplify. A few years ago, my neighbor—who was suffering from a severe drug addiction and untreated mental health crisis—attempted to shoot me and my family during a violent episode. We were forced to barricade ourselves in our home while law enforcement responded. That individual should never have had access to a firearm. The current restrictions are not about stigmatizing mental illness; they are about preventing a lethal combination of impaired judgment and access to deadly force. Drug addiction and severe, untreated psychotic disorders directly impair a person's ability to safely handle a weapon. Weakening these restrictions tells the public that the ATF prioritizes increasing the commercial gun market over the basic safety of communities like mine. The ATF’s stated mission is to protect the public from violent crime. These proposed rollbacks do the exact opposite. They ignore the reality that the majority of gun violence is committed by individuals with histories of instability, substance abuse, or criminal intent. I urge you to withdraw these dangerous provisions immediately. Do not trade the safety of my children and my neighbors for a marginal reduction in shipping costs for a few online dealers. Keep the USPS ban in place. Keep the prohibitions on drug addicts and dangerously mentally ill individuals owning firearms. And remember that real people, like my family, are the ones who will pay the price for your administrative decisions.