Handgun Shipping info

[KCShooter]

Shipping handguns

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Please verify all this info for yourself before shipping:

- Only an FFL may use the US Postal Service to mail a handgun. This is federal law and not just USPS policy. However, note that C&R holders (03FFL) may not use the USPS to ship handguns although they may ship long arms through the USPS. Anyone may mail a long gun to a license holder in another state or a private party within their state thru USPS.

- Taking the gun apart and mailing the pieces does not work either, it is illegal - the receiver IS the firearm and must be shipped accordingly. (I've actually had a U.S. firearm manufacturer tell me to do this before, and mark the contents as "machine parts".)

- A regular person (non-FFL holder) can send a handgun back to the manufacturer for repair and it can be sent directly back to them. Commercial carriers (e.g., FedEx and UPS) must be used and their policies followed. Both companies require you to notify them that it is a handgun/firearm, and they will require (expensive) overnight shipment. I have been told this is due to the fact that the longer it's in thier hands, the more likely they are to lose it.

- If you live in a state where guns are registered to a person, California comes to mind, the seller must follow the state as well as federal laws to sell it and ship it - usually requires involving an FFL.

- Commercial carriers, like UPS and FEDEX, will ship a handgun to an FFL from a private party but will require that it be sent overnight.

- Just as a side note, many FFLs will not accept a shipment from a non-FFL so check first before you send.

- A money saving tip: When shipping a handgun via UPS or FedEx, you might want to make the package as small as possible. A few inches less in girth, length and width can mean a big savings at the counter.


http://www.thegunzone.com/ship-guns.html

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/index.htm






(info copied from other site, please let me know if corrections need made)

[Rich-D]

Shipping handguns
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Please verify all this info for yourself before shipping:

However, note that C&R holders (03FFL) may not use the USPS to ship handguns although they may ship long arms through the USPS.

(info copied from other site, please let me know if corrections need made)


Just to clarify a point, Title 18 does not require one to be a (03FFL) to ship a Shotgun or Rifle via USPS. A non licensed person may do so, in compliance with the below regulation:

[I]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)]

Rich

[KCShooter]

Ya know, I knew that one, too, as I've done it before.

Corrected, thanks Rich!

[kenhwind]

According to the UPS website, the firearm must be shipped from UPS terminal and not a UPS store.
I did send an Auto Ordnance Tommy Gun from a UPS store (I didn't know any better), but I don't think I'd try it with a handgun. I did send an AR upper, but its not a registered part.
Never put the Gun Companies Name spelled out.
Always insure your package for a little more than replacement value.
As noted above a "Handgun receiver is a handgun" and must be shipped overnight.
I think the reason most FFLs (here in FL) don't want to send a firearm for an individual is that they have to log it in, and you have to fill out the paper work to get it back.
New York all handguns must be shipped through a FFL in or out of the state.
At least the Federal Law (for now) allows an individual to ship a firearm for repair or service, etc.

[Rekladan]

A small point, obviously all the above is in regard to transportation within the US, international shipments are another kettle of fish entirely. Even gun parts other than the frame may be treated as 'guns' and require treatment accordingly.

[Rich-D]

It would place things in prospective, if folks listed their Country of origin in their profiles. I noticed that very few folks have done so!

Rich

[Rekladan]

Yep, I didn't really feel like doing it before, but since this is a law-related site, I thought it made sense.

[kenhwind]

Yea I agree with Rich, I realized that john was Greek by his last name. it took me a little while to figure it out. I was even more impressed when I realized this. Ok I'll go and post a US flag on my Profile.

[Rich-D]

Ken, I have an extra flag if you can't find your's! :p


Rich :)

[kenhwind]

I should have asked the dog to find it!!! :confused: :D

[Rich-D]

Yep! Dogs are wonderful creatures! http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc267/Rich-D345/10_1_1331.gif You have to love them!

Rich :)

[BRSmith]

"I have been told this is due to the fact that the longer it's in thier hands, the more likely they are to lose it." Quote from KCShooter.
At a local FedEx transfer station here in MN, recently two employees were fired for stealing handguns from a shipment. Apparently they are/were noticably marked If i can find the story I'll post it.

[Rich-D]

I believe that Fed-Ex's true incentive, is to charge us the much higher fee for overnight delivery!

Rich

[Aguila Blanca]

Actually, I believe much of the incentive for the overnight requirement stems from a few years ago. Charter Arms Corporation is located near a shipping hub (don't recall whether it was FedEx or UPS) in Connecticut. Although their shipping packages didn't loudly proclaim "Look! There's GUNS inside!", the region is small-townish enough that anyone with two half-functional brain cells could figure out that packages from that address contained firearms. So packages began to go AWOL with increasing regularity.

The BATFE worked with the shipper (again, don't recall if it was UPS or FedEx) to discretely surveil the hub. Sure enough, they got video proof of some employees "diverting" packages containing (they thought) firearms to an accomplice who waited outside at break time.

The overnight requirement entails both shorter lag times in hubs, and enhanced tracking. The intent is to have the best possible accountability.

Unfortunately, while we benefit from that -- we also pay (dearly) for it.

[Frank]

Aguila Blanca, I believe that you are exactly right. That is certainly my understanding of the genius of the overnight shipping requirement.

[Rich-D]

Aguila Blanca, I believe that you are exactly right. That is certainly my understanding of the genius of the overnight shipping requirement.

I respectfully have a different opinion. I searched both the UPS and Fed-Ex's Website's and cannot find a reason stated for their policy. Hopefully, someone else will be successful!

If congress passed a law, or BATF regulated that shipping must be overnight. I would not be so dubious. The major private carriers made the shipping regulation, and from what we hear, blamed it on employee dishonesty. As all UPS and Fed-Ex packages are tracked in the same manner, via a computer reading a shipping label. The only remaining excuse. is the package will be in their custody a shorter period of time.

However, A thief looking for a gun, needs little time to operate. In fact the procedure, places guns in a much smaller shipment of packages. Making it a bit easier, as the thief knows exactly where to look for handguns.

When, I received an LTC back from Para, via private carrier. The box was clearly marked with Para's shipping label. Also, my son and I sent in separately for refitting, two Ruger LCP's. They were returned via private carrier with clearly marked Ruger Labels affixed. If theft were so prevalent, why are the gun manufacturers so openly labeling their packages.


Rich

[kenhwind]

I don't think that the Manufacturers have to ship overnight. But an individual does. It cost me almost $70 to ship overnight. Shipping charge $35, plus a fuel surcharge, and of course insurance. That was UPS. Colt returned it FEDEX for $30, shipped on Friday, received on Monday. That ain't overnight Fedex delivers on Saturday.
Naw! UPS and FedEx found a way to scam us.

BTW: "I heard that FedEx and UPS merged and now the're called FED-UPS"