Author Topic: Firearm shipping question.  (Read 3516 times)

Offline Billmack

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Firearm shipping question.
« on: January 20, 2009, 06:20:48 PM »

A friend of mine recently asked if I could answer his question.  I couldn’t.
Is it permitted by federal law to ship a firearm to yourself?
I know if/when I send a gun for service etc., the gunsmith is permitted to return the gun to me. (non FFL)
He has a second home in Florida. Would like to ship a long gun to himself.
Perhaps someone more versed in shipping firearms can help me.

Thanks in advance.

Bill

Offline sslater

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2009, 02:50:43 PM »
I see you aren't getting any answers.
I just checked the USPS website, but couldn't find a FAQ or Contact area.
Best thing to do, IMHO, is go to the post office and speak to the postmaster himself.  

Offline Billmack

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2009, 03:19:46 PM »
sslater,

Thank you.

Bill

Offline yankee2500

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2009, 08:30:39 PM »
You can not ship firearms by USPS, only an FFL holder may ship USPS and they must fill out a Postal Service form.
Firearms may only be shipped FFL to FFL from state to state to be legal. They may be transported in a vehicle or on a plane in an airline approved carrier with your luggage.  John
"THE KING OF BATTLE"


"Cha togar m' fhearg gun dìoladh"

"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."
Thomas Jefferson

Offline Billmack

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2009, 09:49:53 PM »
Thank you for your help.

Bill

ccoorreeyy

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2009, 10:24:10 PM »
I'll confirm tomorrow but I think you can in fact ship a firearm from yourself to yourself from one state to another through UPS or FedEx.  I'll be right back with facts.
« Last Edit: January 28, 2009, 10:24:46 PM by ccoorreeyy »

Offline Billmack

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2009, 10:25:53 PM »
Thanks for the help.

Bill

ccoorreeyy

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2009, 10:33:11 PM »
The following is copied straight from the BATF's Firearm Shipping Regulations  Look at the last part.

[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(32), 922(g)(8 ) and 925(a)(1)]

(B7) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?

A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.
[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

(B8 ) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier?

A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.
[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

[glb](B9) May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity?

Yes. A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the State where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.[/glb]
« Last Edit: January 28, 2009, 10:34:12 PM by ccoorreeyy »

Offline yankee2500

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2009, 10:53:49 PM »
And shipping by a nonlicensee via UPS or Fed-X requires overnight shipping and with insurance can run  fifety dollars and up. An FFL can ship ground.  John
"THE KING OF BATTLE"


"Cha togar m' fhearg gun dìoladh"

"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."
Thomas Jefferson

Offline theirishguard

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2009, 12:43:17 PM »
a FFL also has to ship handguns via UPS or FedEx next day air.  Tom
Tom Watson, DVC , Quis Separabit ,  Who dares wins, Utrinque Paratus

ccoorreeyy

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2009, 01:12:35 PM »
Tom I thought a FFL could send through USPS also but much cheaper and a couple days longer.
Corey
« Last Edit: January 29, 2009, 01:13:03 PM by ccoorreeyy »

Offline theirishguard

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2009, 01:28:19 PM »
Corey, Sorry, I didn't explain correctly. A FFL can ship to another FFL by USPS, priorty mail.  I do that all the time to keep shipping costs down. If a FFL ships by UPS or FedEx a handgun it needs to go next day air by carrier rules. That way they can make more money shipping somthing they don't really want to ship. It's like $50+   Tom
Tom Watson, DVC , Quis Separabit ,  Who dares wins, Utrinque Paratus

Offline Billmack

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2009, 04:38:50 PM »
Folks,

Thanks to all that have helped with regards to my inquiry. I’ll pass this information along to my friend.

As always, this forum remains a great resource.

Best regards,

Bill

ccoorreeyy

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Re: Firearm shipping question.
« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2009, 11:39:16 PM »
Tom, thanks for the explanation.  Thats what I though but was not positive.
Corey