Newest regulations on shipping guns?

[Mike Armstrong]

Where is there a published copy of the new Federal regulations on shipping firearms?

The ATFE site that I find with Firefox doesn't mention any of the most recent changes--they still show that it is OK for an individual to ship a firearm to an FFL in another state.

But UPS and USPS shipping clerks and postmasters tell me that they can't do that any more in spite of the fact that I show them the recipient's FFL.

And what about gun PARTS, barrels not attached to a receiver, for example? Do THEY also have to be shipped from an FFL to an FFL? (Gonna make for some real expensive trigger guard screws, etc!).

Can a C&R firearm contain anything that could be defines a "precursor part" or is this term only applicable to modern, modular guns?

Where do we find what the Feds actually have done!

Mike Armstrong

[Librarian]

Not a Federal law at all - it's a business decision by the shippers.

[Milsurp1]

[Mike Armstrong]

USPS isn't a private company is it? Hard to see how imposing extra restrictions and costs on customers is in the interest of shippers, especially right now!

Are there shippers who don't have these policies? If so, I'd like to give them some business.

[edgerly779]

You can ship long guns usps.

[Milsurp1]

USPS did not recently change its firearm shipping standards. UPS did.

[Milsurp1]

In the past I have had to show postal employees a printout of the USPS regulations that allow shipping firearms. They have glanced at it and happily mailed them for me.

[rromeo]

USPS probably has people that are antigun, don't know the rules, or both. I live between the Appalachians and the Blue Ridge Mountains in full red blooded Virginia. The local satellite post office has deer mounts on the walls that the postal clerk actually did himself. We talk hunting and guns often, but he still won't take a gun to ship, so I go downtown to the main office.

[Mike Armstrong]

The postmaster in a large Orange County city's main post office told me this morning that they were not allowed to ship any firearms for individuals at all now, even to an FFL. I showed him a copy of my customer's FFL. He said "That used to be OK, but now it isn't. Have an FFL dealer ship it to him for you."

I'm very familiar with the ignorance of shipping clerks at ALL the major shipping organizations--you have to find an old hand who is also a shooter, or married to one. This guy seemed very aware of the former laws and procedures. I tried to get hold of somebody at the Postal Inspection Service, the Federal LEA that enforces USPS-related cases. Haven't been able to yet--they are probably swamped with pissed off shooters.

[Librarian]

I really don't know why USPS staff will not refer to their own regulations.

https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm

432.2 Handguns

Handguns and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable unless mailed between the parties listed in this section, after the filing of an affidavit or statement described in 432.22 or 432.24, and are subject to the following:

and

432.3 Rifles and Shotguns

Except under 431.2, unloaded rifles and shotguns 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.

[1909]

I have had that same argument with USPS clerks.
This is how I solved it:
1. Printed out a copy of Publication 52, section 43 "Firearms"
2. Took a highlighter and marked under 432.3 Rifles and Shotguns first sentence "Except under 431.2, unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable"
Then marked under 432.3 d "Rifles and shotguns may be mailed by a non-FFL owner domestically to a FFL dealer".

Take this printout with you to the post office and speak slowly and clearly. Take your time and be patient, the clerk is learning something new.
Once educated, I was able to ship a number of long guns, even an antique to a non-FFL, without further arguments.

[Milsurp1]

^ What 1909 said. + 1

[19K]

Is there anything in the regulation stating you have to inform them that you’re legally mailing a firearm and following their own regulation?

If you are following their own regulation, why even tell them what you’re mailing if it’s just going to cause a big hassle?

[1909]

19K good question!
I was curious about this too. Keep in mind that the USPS can open your package. What happens then? I would rather not have to explain myself after the fact to someone ready to handcuff me...

I shipped my rifles and shotgun using Priority Mail, this has no written content listing provision. The only domestic mail where you do list contents is -I believe- Registered Mail.
For the general USPS mailability rules see section 432.1. See the reference to Federal, State and Local regulations.

I personally simply like to operate legally and above board. No looking over my shoulder and I sleep soundly!

[Mike Armstrong]

Thanks for the comments and advice. I'll try to follow 1909's suggestions and report the results.

The Postal Inspection Service, BTW, are armed federal agents trained at Quantico just like any other federal LEOs. My son worked for the US Marshals Service for a number of years and is very familiar with them. They work with DEA, ATFE and the FBI. They are likely the ones who would inspect your shipped gun if it were to be inspected.

My grandfather worked for them back when smuggling Alaskan and Klondike gold to China and India in exchange for opium was a big deal, he worked out of Manila PI.

He carried (in Manila in the first decade of the New Century, it was a good idea, required or not), but was mostly what we'd now call a "Forensic Accountant." Still had to shoot someone....