Shipping a Rifle Interstate

[runway1]

Buddy is joining me for a hunt her in CA from MO. He wants to ship his rifle prior to flying out. What's the best, legal, way of getting it here? If it goes to an FFL, what are the fees for handling? Thanks all!

[Bangzoom]

i think he can ship it to himself via USPS

lets see what smarterer members say bout that

[Chaos47]

Bangzoom is correct

http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2011/pb22321/html/updt_001.htm

12.2 Rifles and Shotguns
[Revise renumbered 12.2 as follows:]
Except under 12.1.1d and 12.1.2, unloaded rifles and shot*guns are mailable. Mailers must comply with the rules and regulations under 27 CFR, Part 478, 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 rifle or shotgun is unloaded and not ineligible for mailing under 12.1.1d. The following conditions also apply:
a. Subject to state, territory, or district regulations, rifles and shotguns may be mailed without restriction when sent within the same state of mailing. These items must bear a “Return Service Requested” endorsement, and must be sent by Express Mail (“signature required” must be used at delivery) or Registered Mail, or must in*clude either insured mail service (for more than $200) requiring a signature at delivery.
b. A shotgun or rifle owned by a non-FFL may be mailed outside the owner’s state of residence by the owner 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. These mailpieces must:
1. Be addressed to the owner.
2. Include the “in the care of” endorsement immedi*ately preceding the name of the applicable tem*porary custodian.
3. Be opened by the rifle or shotgun owner only.
4. Be mailed using services described in 12.2a.

[runway1]

Thanks guys! Very helpful. I googled words/phrases several times and couldn't find this info - even on the DFG site. Much appreciated!

[joemoia]

When I mail a rifle to myself to another state I bring the following to the local USPS:

1. A copy of USPS DMM 601, because some USPS counter employees are not familiar with their own rules or have no experience with individuals mailing rifles to themselves.

1. Written certification the the rifle is unloaded and is not an SBR, otherwise they have the option to open the package and inspect the rifle. The only USPS form they have is for FFLs mailing firearms.

I ship Ca. to Ma. via parcel post, insured, and depending on the dimensions of the package/weight costs me about $40-$50.