Shipping handguns

[zinfull]

I just bought a C&R handgun online and did the DROS. After checking it carefully I was going to return it to the out of state FFL. Thankfully we came to an agreement and I am keeping the gun.

My problem came when I was getting ready to package the gun for FedEx. How does a non FFL01 package the gun? You have to take it to the main station to send. By all rights it is concealed. So do you put it in a locked case and send the keys with it or just throw it in the box and hope no one cares?

Jerry

[ETD1010]

According to the fedex and UPS websites, you have to delcare it as a handgun and ship it overnight. Only FFLs can use the USPS (according to their website), but there is no mention of locking up the firearm. just DO NOT send ammunition in the same box as the hand gun is being shipped in.

I do know a LOT of people (mostly on gunbroker.com) that ship their guns USPS priority and DO NOT delcare it. Or UPS and FedEx ground and not declare it. I'm not sure about legality, but i know it's against the companies policies and procedures.

[hoffmang]

zinfull,

On the concealed carry issue, if the package is inside your locked trunk or the package is in a piece of locked luggage while in transit to Fedex, you would be legal. I think you're safe carrying the concealed package between trunk and Fedex door. In the alternative, just carry in the locked luggage and unlock it to hand over the package.

-Gene

[zinfull]

Gene

Thats what I was thinking. Just do not want to run in to a AH while doing this. People yell gun and you have to spend a lot of time explainig your rights. It is only a problem when some one wants to make it one.

Jerry

[swift]

UPS allowed me to send a handgun to the HK repair factory for repair (and I do not have an 01FFL). It cost $60.

[xenophobe]

You do not need to declare a package as a firearm if you are a FFL on file with USPS.

[tiki]

I tried to ship a hangun via FedEx and they guy at the counter told me that they only take firearms to an FFL or from an FFL. I assume that he is mistaken, since I think that is illegal to ship out of state without going through 2 FFLs. I wanted to ship my Walther P22 out of state and was going to ship it to my home in another state, addressed to myself. I was going to ship it the day of my flight and then just sign for it the next day when I got there. The BATF agent told me that this was legal. Anyway, I didn't feel like arguing with this clown, so I just packed it in my checked luggage. So, if you are going to go down there, call up and make sure the person working there knows what the laws and rules are.

[EOD Guy]

I tried to ship a hangun via FedEx and they guy at the counter told me that they only take firearms to an FFL or from an FFL. I assume that he is mistaken, since I think that is illegal to ship out of state without going through 2 FFLs. I wanted to ship my Walther P22 out of state and was going to ship it to my home in another state, addressed to myself. I was going to ship it the day of my flight and then just sign for it the next day when I got there. The BATF agent told me that this was legal. Anyway, I didn't feel like arguing with this clown, so I just packed it in my checked luggage. So, if you are going to go down there, call up and make sure the person working there knows what the laws and rules are.

The only person that needs an FFL is the recipient. The sender does not need one. There are a few exceptions where neither party needs an FFL, such as shipping to yourself.

[ATS76]

I have a UPS Daily Pick Up account and consulted my UPS Rep several times on this subject. For private party, the cheapest and safest way is to ship handgun by UPS Next Day Air Saver. Please note:

It is legal for anyone over 21 to ship his gun to a licensed FFL holder.
Recipient must be federally licensed; no private party to private party
delivery. Although UPS may not ask for it every time, please bring your I/D and recipient’s FFL to show UPS.
Do not include ammunition with your firearm.
All guns must be sent from a UPS Customer Center, no UPS Stores, no drop box etc.
The package cannot be labeled as containing firearms.
"Adult Signature Required" must be on the box.
Identify to UPS staff that this is a firearm. Failure to disclose the contents can result in voiding any insurance claim.
I suggest you putting replacement value on the declared /insured value section.

[mblat]

Ok it is all well and good.

I can ship my gun to gunsmith because he has an FFL...... Not what about on the way back?
Can he ship it directly to me, or it has to go through FFL?

[DRM6000]

Ok it is all well and good.

I can ship my gun to gunsmith because he has an FFL...... Not what about on the way back?
Can he ship it directly to me, or it has to go through FFL?

iirc, the gunsmith can send it back to you. as long as the gun isn't an aw or .50 bmg, it can be shipped back directly to the owner if it's being returned from a gunsmith or manufacturer after repairs.

[xrMike]

Wow, never knew it was so complicated!

I've heard of guys shipping their pistols off to other guys for refinishing, and they sent their guns via USPS, 2nd day priority (or something like that), but they disassembled the pistols before packaging them, and when they went to the post office they declared the contents as "machined metal parts" and insured the package for full replacement value, and there were no problems and everybody was happy.

[EOD Guy]

Ok it is all well and good.

I can ship my gun to gunsmith because he has an FFL...... Not what about on the way back?
Can he ship it directly to me, or it has to go through FFL?

It can be shipped directly to you.

[Knauga]

Calling your gun "Machined Metal Parts" and insuring them will bite you in the butt when you file the claim if it is lost. You will have to prove the value of said "machined metal parts" and to do that you will have to tell them it was a gun albeit disassembled it is still a gun and not legal to ship via USPS. The insurance provider (USPS) will turn you over to the Postal Inspector in a heart beat. If you were to send parts of the gun and declare them as gun parts (not a whole) to be refinished you would still have to verify that is legal, but it would keep you above board and allow your claim to be processed without going to jail.

[xrMike]

You will have to prove the value of said "machined metal parts" and to do that you will have to tell them it was a gun albeit disassembled it is still a gun and not legal to ship via USPS.

Hmmmm, it shouldn't be too difficult to find several small machined metal parts in a catalog somewhere whose cost equals the value of the gun/insurance... Heck, I might even have some old receipts for such kinds of parts in my garage. And who's to say those weren't the actual machinced metal parts in the package?

The package isn't going to narc on you. It's gone.

I'm not suggesting that anybody break the law (if that really is against the law). I'm just saying I've heard of people doing that before and it worked for them.