The Rohrbaugh Forum

Miscellaneous => The Water Cooler -- General Discussions => Topic started by: Billmack on January 20, 2009, 06:20:48 PM

Title: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: Billmack 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
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: sslater 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.  
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: Billmack on January 22, 2009, 03:19:46 PM
sslater,

Thank you.

Bill
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: yankee2500 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
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: Billmack on January 28, 2009, 09:49:53 PM
Thank you for your help.

Bill
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: ccoorreeyy 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.
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: Billmack on January 28, 2009, 10:25:53 PM
Thanks for the help.

Bill
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: ccoorreeyy 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]
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: yankee2500 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
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: theirishguard on January 29, 2009, 12:43:17 PM
a FFL also has to ship handguns via UPS or FedEx next day air.  Tom
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: ccoorreeyy 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
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: theirishguard 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
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: Billmack 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
Title: Re: Firearm shipping question.
Post by: ccoorreeyy on January 29, 2009, 11:39:16 PM
Tom, thanks for the explanation.  Thats what I though but was not positive.
Corey