§ 1706
Injury to mail bags
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever tears, cuts, or otherwise injures any mail bag, pouch, or other thing used or designed for use in the conveyance of the mail, or draws or breaks any staple or loosens any part of any lock, chain, or strap attached thereto, with intent to rob or steal any such mail, or to render the same insecure, shall be or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 779 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB).)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to cut, tear, or damage a mail bag or its locks or straps, intending to steal the mail or make it unsafe.