Taking my gun on Vacation... But how?

[Exdc]

As many of you know, I recently purchased all the parts for an AR-15. Currently in the process of assembling them, as they come in the mail. The final pieces (ironically, the ones I need most) are going to be here last; on Wednesday.

So, for Christmas, I (and my family) are going to the free state of Oregon. For some very complicated reasons, revolving around my father being a felon, I don't want to figure out a way to take the gun in the car with me (even in my gun safe). At first I thought "I could drive separately..." But after some quick calculations, it would be about $200 in gas, just to drive. Then, I though "Well, I could ship it up", then realized that all I really need to ship is the lower. I have a locking box for ammunition, and I'll probably get more while I'm up there, since I'm planning to be shooting quite often, so I can keep that in the car. (It's a suburban; no trunk to lock it in)

Anyway, I was wondering which (if any) precautions I need to take when mailing an assembled lower. I've heard that the post office people aren't too happy when you tell them what you're shipping, even though it's not against the law, or even their policy. Also, if I ship it up with two day shipping, and I don't get their in time to receive it (at the door of my relative's house) then what kind of legal repercussions could there be? If I'm sending it to me, but at a relative's address, am I breaking any kind of law? Should I write to myself, but in care of "relative's name"?

Has anyone done this, or something similar? Any help/advice is greatly appreciated. I leave somewhere around the 16th of December.

[digitalelf]

As far as I know, anytime you send a firearm through the mail (be it UPS, USPS, FedEx, etc.), the person(s) receiving the firearm have to have an FFL...

Meaning, you'd have to ship it to a dealer...

Like I said, that's how I understand it. I’m sure someone more knowledgeable than I will chime in on this later...

[Exdc]

See, that's what I thought; then I read that that's only if I'm making a transfer... But I'm not sure... thus, the purpose of the thread.

[tast101]

Wouldn't we be able to, say, mail a firearm to yourself in a locked pelican case and be fine?

[Chaos47]

You can mail a rifle to yourself for hunting or any other lawful reason. It does not need to go to an FFL in that case

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/unlicensed-persons.html

look at 7, 8 and 9

Q: 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)]

Q: 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]

Q: 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.

[heycorey]

It's perfectly legal to ship a gun to yourself ... the idea being that you're the person who'll open the box after you (and your gun) arrive at your destination. Put your name as the shipper/receiver and whatever the correct addresses are.

And while a receiver is regulated by the ATF, for shipping purposes, you're not shipping a "gun". So if it were me, I wouldn't feel compelled to tell anyone at the shipping counter what's inside the box.

[tujungatoes]

And while a receiver is regulated by the ATF, for shipping purposes, you're not shipping a "gun". So if it were me, I wouldn't feel compelled to tell anyone at the shipping counter what's inside the box.

That's about the dumbest thing I've read all day. The receiver IS the firearm.

Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm.

You just encouraged the OP to break federal law.

[Exdc]

Thanks guys. What I'm planning to do: Ship the lower receiver in a box from myself, to myself with the address of where I'm going to be. I will NOTIFY the person at the counter that I am shipping a firearm. I'll be the one to open the package, and all's well.

Anyone to verify whether or not this is okay?

[Chaos47]

Thanks guys. What I'm planning to do: Ship the lower receiver in a box from myself, to myself with the address of where I'm going to be. I will NOTIFY the person at the counter that I am shipping a firearm. I'll be the one to open the package, and all's well.

Anyone to verify whether or not this is okay?

Sounds like it follows the law

[heycorey]

That's about the dumbest thing I've read all day. The receiver IS the firearm.

You just encouraged the OP to break federal law.

Well ... as with any endeavour, if I'm going to something dumb, I try to do it the best I can.

For clarification, per federal law, how would you suggest that the OP notify the carrier that the shipment contains a firearm", ensuring that he doesn't violate that law?

[Chaos47]

Just like you do when flying with a checked firearm

Hi I would like to declare that I am shipping (inset checking in for flying) an unloaded firearm in accordance to your rules (and federal law)

(Have print outs of the ATF laws and the carriers rules handy)

[tujungatoes]

When you go to the post office you tell the clerk "I'm mailing a firearm".

I've never done this before, but wouldn't be at all surprised if the clerk told you it was illegal. I would read up on the regs concerning mailing firearms through the usps and be prepared to speak intelligently to the post master if necessary.

[twinjetguy]

Just curious here, despite the fact that you are traveling with a convicted felon, is it illegal to have your firearm with you in a locked container? If you are the registered owner of said firearm, it shouldn't be an issue as long as you are with it.

Maybe I am not educated on the law? I don't know. I know that I have a friend that has a felony on his record and it is 100% legal for his wife to own firearms. If it were me, I wouldn't feel comfortable shipping one of my firearms. I wouldn't want it out of my site really.

[Chaos47]

Also do not try to do this at a 3rd party mail box place.

Take it to a a big branch location of the USPS bigger the better (They will be more up on their laws and may have seen it done before)

I'm pretty sure if you try to do it with UPS or Fedex you have to take it to a distribution center that accepts package drop offs

[heycorey]

When you go to the post office you tell the clerk "I'm mailing a firearm".

I've never done this before, but wouldn't be at all surprised if the clerk told you it was illegal. I would read up on the regs concerning mailing firearms through the usps and be prepared to speak intelligently to the post master if necessary.

Gotcha. I guess now I have to be worried that if I tell the clerk I'm mailing a firearm, they accept the package ..., but then the package is somehow intercepted and opened by Federal law enforcement and they want me to prove that I followed the law.