Shipping HandGun

[PokerGun]

I need to ship my son's handgun to him. He's in SoCal and I'm in NorCal. What is the best way to ship it and which carrier to use. FedEx, UPS or USPS?

I am shipping the gun, 5 magazines, and the case. I assumed that I need to lock the case and put the key in the box.

TIA

[teg33]

I always use FedEx, no hassle.

[edgerly779]

make sure no mags over 10 rounds must go second day air .

[PokerGun]

I always use FedEx, no hassle.

Should I declare what's inside the package? USPS always ask.

[PokerGun]

make sure no mags over 10 rounds must go second day air .

Yes no over 10 rounds.

Thank you.

[fiddletown]

I need to ship my son's handgun to him. He's in SoCal and I'm in NorCal. What is the best way to ship it and which carrier to use. FedEx, UPS or USPS?...

Under federal law handguns may not legally be mailed (USPS) by anyone who is not an FFL (18 USC 1715):

Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable and shall not be deposited in or carried by the mails or delivered by any officer or employee of the Postal Service. Such articles may be conveyed in the mails, under such regulations as the Postal Service shall prescribe, for use in connection with their official duty, to officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps; to officers of the National Guard or Militia of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District; to officers of the United States or of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitments; to employees of the Postal Service; to officers and employees of enforcement agencies of the United States; and to watchmen engaged in guarding the property of the United States, a State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District. Such articles also may be conveyed in the mails to manufacturers of firearms or bona fide dealers therein in customary trade shipments, including such articles for repairs or replacement of parts, from one to the other, under such regulations as the Postal Service shall prescribe....

FedeEx policies on shipping firearms can be found here:

B. Firearms

1. Carrier will transport and deliver firearms as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, between areas served in the U.S., but only between:
   
   
   1. Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof; or
      
      
   2. Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).
   
   
   
2. Carrier cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D.
   
   
3. Upon presenting the goods for shipment, the person tendering the shipment to Carrier is required to notify Carrier that the shipment contains a firearm. The outside of the package(s) must not be marked, labeled or otherwise identify that the package(s) contains a firearm.
   
   
4. The shipper and recipient must be of legal age as identified by applicable law.
   
   
5. The shipper and recipient are required to comply with all applicable government regulations and laws, including those pertaining to labeling. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can provide assistance.
   
   
6. Carrier will transport small-arms ammunition when packed and labeled in compliance with local, state and federal law, and the Hazardous Materials section of this Service Guide. Ammunition is an explosive and must be shipped separately as hazardous materials. You agree not to ship loaded firearms or firearms with ammunition in the same package.

UPS policies on shipping firearms can be found here:

Special Procedures for Shipping Firearms

UPS accepts packages containing firearms (as defined by Title 18, Chapter 44, and Title 26, Chapter 53 of the United States Code) for transportation only (a) between licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors (as defined in Title 18, Chapter 44 of the United States Code), and government agencies and (b) where not otherwise prohibited by federal, state or local law (i) from an individual to a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector; and (ii) from a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to an individual.

The shipper must comply with and must ensure that each shipment containing firearms complies with all federal, state and local laws applicable to the shipper, recipient, and package, including, without limitation, age restrictions.

Use These UPS Services for Your Firearm ShipmentPacking and Labeling Requirements for Firearms

All firearms must be shipped in new corrugated packaging which meets the UPS Single Wall Box Strength Guidelines.

All firearms are to be packaged in accordance with UPS Packaging Guideline Specifications. Ammunition must be shipped separately from packages that contain firearms (including handguns).

Packages containing handguns must be separated from other packages tendered to UPS for delivery.

[protohyp]

nor cal and so cal are worth the drive to make sure that it doesn't get lost in the mail, carrier or whatever other method you are considering. I wouldn't mail/ship it at all. Be a good reason to go visit the son or visa versa.

[pc_load_letter]

Should I declare what's inside the package? USPS always ask.

Not unless you use a Postal Annex.

[PokerGun]

Under federal law handguns may not legally be mailed (USPS) by anyone who is not an FFL (18 USC 1715):
FedeEx policies on shipping firearms can be found here:
UPS policies on shipping firearms can be found here:

If I read those policies right, then it doesn't sound like I can ship the gun because I am not one the following:

"Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof"

Then how do you ship a firearm to manufacturer for warranty?

[edgerly779]

an individual may ship to handgun to dealer repair facility, ffl . etc. Not to another individual. An individual may ship a long gun to themselves anywhere in US via usps. Firearm must be declared and package should not be marked as long gun. Lots of posts on this.

[fiddletown]

If I read those policies right, then it doesn't sound like I can ship the gun because I am not one the following:

"Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof"...

That is correct.

...Then how do you ship a firearm to manufacturer for warranty?

A manufacturer is a federal firearms licensee (as are, in general, gunsmiths) and therefore a permissible recipient.