US Postal Service refuses to ship firearm parts!

[8200rpm]

Guy behind the counter at the Newport Beach (Riverside Ave.) office wouldn't accept a rifle barrel.

After I said NO to the "hazardous, liquid, flammable...", he asks me "what's in the package". I'm thinking to myself, oh boy this is going to be interesting. Honesty got the better of me, and I told him that it was "a barrel of a rifle". It was actually a AR15 barreled upper but I didn't tell him that.

He proceeds to tell me that firearms AND firearm parts cannot be shipped through the US Postal Service. I told him that's true for firearms (handguns actually), but not for firearms parts. He said that he just had a conversation about this with another clerk, and it's for both firearms and firearm parts unless you are a licensed dealer. He begins to tell me how this is a "big deal" and that's why he has to ask.

I wasn't in the mood to argue or waste my time. So, I left. I was tempted to go back with my C&R FFL and try again... not that it makes one bit of difference legally, but I'd rather not confused them even more. Errr!!! So, fricking irritating!!!

So just to verify, I called the Santa Ana District USPS Business Office and explained the situation. The service rep their says, "so basically you're just mailing a pipe. Oh geez." He explains that maybe due to the nature and ambiance of the local office, they didn't take the time to read and fully understand the policy. He suggests for me to try another USPS branch, go back and have them call him, or use UPS/Fedex.

[ocabj]

I've never had anyone ask me at a USPS Post Office what was inside a package except one time I shipped a book via Media Mail.

If and when they ask, I wouldn't mention the words 'gun' or 'firearm'. If you're shipping a barrel, just say you're shipping machined tool parts. It's not a lie.

I've never had any problems shipping firearms related items. I ship quite a few actual firearms through UPS and I usually get the same guy at the local UPS staffed office. He pretty much recognizes me and never gives me issues. I always tell him if I'm shipping a gun and whether it's a rifle, pistol, or stripped receiver.

[rorschach]

I got grief once from a clerk (who barely spoke English BTW) at the Downey post office for sending out an HK plastic lower for a C/P job. Supervisor was called to the front, luckily he gave his blessing.

[Shane916]

I've shipped a rifle through USPS before without a problem. WASR-10 to be exact Had no problems. I think a new post office should do the trick for you...although I have shipped thousand's of packages I have never once been asked what is inside of the package.. Like stated above machined tool parts sounds superb

[Rumpled]

Go back to the same office and chew him up one side and down the other. Make him get a supervisor and their rule book. Cause a big stink.
You're in the right, and they are either/or idiots or antis. Set 'em straight.

[8200rpm]

I just went back to the same post office hoping to get the same clerk. I ended up with a very nice lady, and I explained what happened when I was in earlier. She actually pulls out the regulations book, says she's curious about it herself, and goes over it but realizes she can't really make clear sense of it. She's very polite and personable, and she asks me if I got the name of the person who I spoke to at the District office. She apologetically explains that she won't hear the last of it from the other clerk if she doesn't make sure. I give her the number and name of the service rep at the District office, and she goes to the back and calls clarify. She comes back, completes the transaction, and it's over. Randall should have it tomorrow.

The other guy just seems to have issues. He also gave me a hard time when I shipped some reloading dies a couple months ago...

"What's in the package"?
"Reloading dies".
"Gun parts"?
"No, reloading dies... to make ammunition".
"Not gun parts"?
"No".

[RudyN]

It seems like the first clerk was looking for an excuse to not ship "gun parts" and just wanted to stick their personal feelings into the transaction.

[GSequoia]

Tell me...

Do you really want to furnish guns to postal workers?

[CALI-gula]

Guy behind the counter at the Newport Beach (Riverside Ave.) office wouldn't accept a rifle barrel. ...

Just go to the USPS website, print up their own rules and regulations and package allowances/prohibitions, and shove it in the jerk's face.

THEN go elsewhere, because by that point, after making a fool out of the guy (preferably in front of other people AND to his 'supervisor') who knows what would happen to your package.

.

[8200rpm]

If you're shipping a barrel, just say you're shipping machined tool parts. It's not a lie.

I never get asked what's in the package anywhere except by this turd. Knowing this clown, if I told him it was machined tool parts, he would have asked, "what kind of tool"?

[8200rpm]

Just go to the USPS website, print up their own rules and regulations and package allowances/prohibitions, and shove it in the jerk's face.
.

The part that they seem to get hung up on is highlighted in red...

432 Mailability
432.1 General
The following conditions apply:

a. Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person (referred to as "handguns") are nonmailable in the domestic mail, except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.1.

b. The disassembled parts of a handgun or other type of nonmailable firearm that can be readily reassembled as a weapon are nonmailable, except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.1 or 601.11.2.

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 (Public Law 90-618) and 18 USC 921. The mailer may be required to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not excluded from mailing because of the restrictions in 432.2 b and c.

It's pretty clear to you and me, but not to the clerks at the post office. They read it selectively and apply it over-cautiously (incorrectly) in fear of their job security.

[Fjold]

I never get asked what's in the package anywhere except by this turd. Knowing this clown, if I told him it was machined tool parts, he would have asked, "what kind of tool"?

Some of the answers are :

Particle accelerator
High speed ion delivery device.


or my favorite:

The same kind that works at the post office.

[ibanezfoo]

The same kind that works at the post office.

Something like: "Its a little different than the one standing in front of me..."

-Bryan

[tiki]

How about "None of your ****ing business". I would ask what their prohibited items are and then say "it's not any of those."

[jkasandiego]

I haven't tried USPS for shipping rifle or any gun parts.UPS store won't ship any firearms, i tried shipping a gun and instead i was directed to the main ups building.