post office problems?

[metalliman545]

Which post office? I don't believe this happened. It might be the first time you shipped firearms, it wasn't theirs.

Exciting story, however.

Believe what you want. The post office is in hinesville, georgia. The town right outside the gate of Fort Stewart. And no it wasn't the first time I've shipped firearms through usps. I've sent rifles from ga to oxnard ca wasr 10 and a saiga in 545 (paid 350 for a wasr with 200 rounds and 3 standard cap "parts kit" mags) Rifles from oxnard back to ga. About 3 different times with different rifles.

[Orlando]

Shipping a firearm by US Mail is not really much of an issue if you follow the rules.c. Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are generally permitted, as specified in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.2.

d. Unloaded rifles and shotguns may be mailed if the mailer fully complies with the Gun Control Act of 1968

Yes I read this but it still doesnt answer the question if you have to claim that its a firearm in the package

[metalliman545]

Yes I read this but it still doesnt answer the question if you have to claim that its a firearm in the package

[EOD Guy]

Well, I distinctly remember one of the boxes on the insurance form asks you to describe the contents of the package. I guess you aren't filling out your forms completely then. My post office workers will not accept my insurance money unless the form is filled out in full.

There is no place on the insurance receipt form to indicate contents. See the link.

Insurance Receipt

[EOD Guy]

You're looking at some other agencies vehicles....Postal vehicles have no license plates on them.

Correct. They have a 7 digit number applied to the vehicle body in lieu of a license plate.

[billybob_jcv]

The USPS appears to be a unique entity that is neither a "government agency" or a "private business". IMHO, trying to make it exactly fit in either category is incorrect.

[xrMike]

There is no place on the insurance receipt form to indicate contents. See the link.

Insurance Receipt

They changed their form then (since the last 2 times I mailed firearms through USPS).

[a1c]

The USPS appears to be a unique entity that is neither a "government agency" or a "private business". IMHO, trying to make it exactly fit in either category is incorrect.

It IS a government agency. But it is independent.

It's actually not unique in that respect. There are tons of independent government agencies. Social Security is one. The CIA is another. The FDIC is yet another. There are dozens of those.

[Justintoxicated]

Couple questions:

1) What are regs and where do I get them?
2) Do you have to bring packaged long guns in a locked container? I realize a locked container is needed near a school, and I'm not 100% on this, also near a federal building such as a post office etc. Just wondering since it would be difficult to get get a packaged rifle like a mosin nagant etc into a lockable container when packaged. Plus the instant you remove it, wouldn't you then be breaking the law? For me I HAVE to drive pas a school when leaving the house, so I guess I would have to package it when I get there? I'm doubting they would be too happy about this. Oh and no I don't have a vehicle with a separate truck (hatch back and truck only).

[hk91666]

I package C&R long guns wrapped in newspaper or bubble wrap and bolt removed separately wrapped. Place both in a cardboard box 4ft x 1ft or so. Double cardboard box if REAL collector item $$$. Then send Priority with delivery tracking ($0.72 extra). I have rec'd many like this and shipped quite a few only problems have been receiving via UPS.

[a1c]

Couple questions:

1) What are regs and where do I get them?
2) Do you have to bring packaged long guns in a locked container? I realize a locked container is needed near a school, and I'm not 100% on this, also near a federal building such as a post office etc. Just wondering since it would be difficult to get get a packaged rifle like a mosin nagant etc into a lockable container when packaged. Plus the instant you remove it, wouldn't you then be breaking the law? For me I HAVE to drive pas a school when leaving the house, so I guess I would have to package it when I get there? I'm doubting they would be too happy about this. Oh and no I don't have a vehicle with a separate truck (hatch back and truck only).

I believe the locked container is only required in GFSZs for handguns and RAWs.

[003]

Postal regulations:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.0 Other Restricted and Nonmailable Matter
12.1 Pistols, Revolvers, and Other Concealable Firearms
12.1.1 Definitions
The terms used in this standard are defined as follows:

a. Handgun means any pistol, revolver, or other firearm or device the mailing of which is regulated by this standard.

b. Pistol or revolver means a handgun styled to be fired by the use of a single hand and to fire or otherwise expel a projectile by the action of an explosion, spring, or other mechanical action, or air or gas pressure with enough force to be used as a weapon.

c. Firearm means any device, including a starter gun, designed to, or that may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosion, spring, or other mechanical action, or air or gas pressure with enough force to be used as a weapon.

d. Other firearms capable of being concealed on the person include, but are not limited to, short-barreled shotguns and short-barreled rifles.

e. Short-barreled shotgun means a shotgun that has one or more barrels less than 18 inches long. The term short-barreled rifle means a rifle that has one or more barrels less than 16 inches long. These definitions include any weapon made from a shotgun or rifle, whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise, if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches. A short-barreled shotgun or rifle of greater dimension may be regarded as nonmailable when it has characteristics to allow concealment on the person.

f. Licensed manufacturer and licensed dealer mean, respectively, a manufacturer of firearms or a bona fide dealer of firearms, duly licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms of the Department of the Treasury, under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-618), 18 USC 921, et seq.

g. Antique firearm means any firearm (including those with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898, or any replica thereof, if such replica:

1. Is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.

2. Uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and that is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

12.1.2 Handguns
Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person (referred to as handguns) are nonmailable unless mailed between the parties listed in 12.1.3 and 12.1.5 after the filing of an affidavit or statement required by 12.1.4 and 12.1.6.

12.1.3 Authorized Persons
Subject to 12.1.4, handguns may be mailed by a licensed manufacturer of firearms, a licensed dealer of firearms, or an authorized agent of the federal government or the government of a state, territory, or district, only when addressed to a person in one of the following categories for use in the person’s official duties:

a. Officers of the Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps.

b. Officers of the National Guard or militia of a state, territory, or district.

c. Officers of the United States or of a state, territory, or district, whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.

d. USPS employees authorized by the Chief Postal Inspector.

e. Officers and employees of enforcement agencies of the United States.

f. Watchmen engaged in guarding the property of the United States, a state, territory, or district.

g. Purchasing agent or other designated member of agencies employing officers and employees included in 12.1.3c. through 12.1.3e.

12.1.4 Affidavit of Addressee
Any person proposing to mail a handgun under 12.1.3 must file with the postmaster, at the time of mailing, an affidavit signed by the addressee setting forth that the addressee is qualified to receive the firearm under a particular category of 12.1.3a. through 12.1.3g, and that the firearm is intended for the addressee’s official use. The affidavit must also bear a certificate stating that the firearm is for the official duty use of the addressee, signed by one of the following, as appropriate:

a. For officers of Armed Forces, by the commanding officer.

b. For officers and employees of enforcement agencies, by the head of the agency employing the addressee to perform the official duty with which the firearm is to be used.

c. For watchmen, by the chief clerk of the department, bureau, or independent branch of the government of the United States, the state, the territory, or the district by which the watchman is employed.

d. For the purchasing agent or other designated member of enforcement agencies, by the head of such agency, that the firearm is to be used by an officer or employee included in 12.1.3c. through 12.1.3e, Authorized Persons.

12.1.5 Manufacturers and Dealers
Handguns may also be mailed between licensed manufacturers of firearms and licensed dealers of firearms in customary trade shipments, or for repairing or replacing parts.

12.1.6 Certificate of Manufacturers and Dealers
A licensed manufacturer or dealer need not file the affidavit under 12.1.4, but must file with the postmaster a statement on Form 1508 signed by the mailer that he or she is a licensed manufacturer or dealer of firearms, that the parcels containing handguns (or major component parts thereof) are customary trade shipments or contain such articles for repairing or replacing parts, and that to the best of his or her knowledge or belief the addressees are licensed manufacturers or dealers of firearms.

12.1.7 FBI Crime Detection Bureaus
Handguns may be mailed without regard to 12.1.3 through 12.1.6 if:

a. Addressed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or its director, or to the scientific laboratory or crime detection bureau of any agency whose members are federal law enforcement officers or officers of a state, territory, or district authorized to serve warrants of arrest or commitment; or

b. Offered by an authorized agent of the federal government as an official shipment to any qualified addressee in categories 12.1.3a. through 12.1.3g, or to a licensed manufacturer or dealer of firearms or to a federal agency.

12.2 Antique Firearms
Antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces may be accepted for mailing without regard to 12.1.3 through 12.1.6.

12.3 Rifles and Shotguns
Although unloaded rifles and shotguns not precluded by 12.1.1e and 12.1.2 are mailable, mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968, Public Law 90-618, 18 USC 921, et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, 27 CFR 178, as well as state and local laws. The mailer may be required by the USPS to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not precluded by 12.1.1e.

12.4 Legal Opinions on Mailing Firearms
Postmasters are not authorized to give opinions on the legality of any shipment of rifles or shotguns. Contact the nearest office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for further advice.

[Orlando]

Its all clear as mud.