Ship My Own Shotgun TO California?

[Go Navy]

Long story, but I'll make it brief. Bought a nice 20 gauge Browning Silver Hunter; shipped it via UPS service centers from myself in Calif. (I'm a Calif. resident), to myself in Indiana for some quail hunting with brother in law. When that was over, I took it to the UPS service center there and they refused to ship it to me in California; said it must go to an FFL.

I'm back in Calif. without my shotgun. Contacted my two local gun shops for copies of their FFL so I can ship my shotgun back to me from Indiana (I'm visiting there again in a few days), Diablo Valley Gun Works in Pleasant hill, and Canyon Sports in Martinez. Diablo Valley wasn't interested in helping....said they'd have to send my shotgun to a "dealer" after receiving it so it can be registered. I bought it from an FFL in Calif. in the first place and all the necessary paperwork was done. Canyon Sports said they'd provide their FFL and I could ship it to them, but must pay them $135 up front.

I think an FFL should earn a fee for providing this service so that's not my issue, although Canyon's quote seems pretty high to me.

Here are what I think my legal options are, in no particular order; please tell me if I'm right, wrong, or have missed another option:

1. Pay Canyon Sports their $135 and then ship the shotgun to them via UPS or Fedex or whoever.
2. Mail the shotgun via USPS, declared, to my adult son who lives in Calif. (or to me???)
3. Break down the shotgun; pack in two boxes, ship it to myself via Fedex.
4. Using a good, lockable hard case, check it as declared baggage with Southwest Airlines on my way back from Indiana. (Southwest's website says they'll do this....but see below.)

This is my first time through this nightmare. I know my questions have been asked and answered here before but I failed to find the thread. I do not know what all the acronyms used in this forum mean, like "OLL" etc., so I would greatly appreciate it if you please don't throw too much of that at me.

The whole idea that a man can't go hunting or shooting in another state with his own legal firearm(s), and then ship said firearm(s) back to himself, really upsets me. And who's to say that any given airline, on any given day, wouldn't refuse to accept the proper baggage containing the firearm, just on a whim or ignorance? What happens then? You miss your flight and start over?

[EOD Guy]

The easiest option is to bring it back with you on the airline. Airlines accept firearms from passengers thousands of times a day. It should be no problem. Just check the airline web site for their requirements and be sure to notify them when you check your baggage.

[Ratboy]

I'm sure you'll be fine flying back with it. I'm flying on Virgin soon and have read their carriage rules several times to make sure I'm following their rules.

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/special-luggage-pol.html#baggage_special_luggage_pol_tab_list_tab_7

[Oceanbob]

I up for option 3. Break her down into two boxes and Fed Ex to your house.

I don't see any legal problems with that.

[hawk1]

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/unlicensed-persons.html

May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity?

Yes. A person may ship a firearm 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. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.

Also you can ship it USPS mail

http://www.cgwgun.com/shipping/batf.aspx

(B7) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?

A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

[CHS]

You own the firearm. It DOES NOT have to go to an FFL. You can USPS, FedEx, or US Mail it to your doorstep.

[paul0660]

Take a few minutes to tear the UPS counter person a new one, then mail it. Perfectly legal.

UPS accepts packages containing firearms (as defined by Title 18, Chapter 44, and Title 26, Chapter 53 of the United States Code) for transportation from and between licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors (as defined in Title 18, Chapter 44 of the United States Code), law enforcement agencies of the United States (or of any department or agency of the United States), law enforcement agencies of any state or department agency (or political subdivision of any state), from and between persons not otherwise prohibited from shipping firearms by federal, state or local law, and when such shipment complies with all federal, state and local laws applicable to the shipper, recipient, and package.

[Go Navy]

Paul0660: I've read that and it seems plain and simple to me. I even printed it and showed it to the UPS personnel in at the service center I tried to use in Indiana to return the shotgun to myself. They refused to do anything but ship it to an FFL in Taxifornica. It just illustrates how gun owners are often at the mercy of any employee who wants to stiff you.

I am very grateful for all the timely responses from everyone here. I think I'll try either USPS or just check it as declared baggage with Southwest on my way back from the midwest this time.

[jasilva]

I wouldn't ship it with United Package Smashers even if they did it for free. Break it down and wrap it up in one box(long packages pay a premium and are more like to get damaged) and ship it USPS or Fedex.

[stag1500]

I wouldn't ship it with United Package Smashers even if they did it for free. Break it down and wrap it up in one box(long packages pay a premium and are more like to get damaged) and ship it USPS or Fedex.