Moving to California

[soundwave9]

Hi all, I will be moving from PA to the Bay Area and I am trying to decide the best way to move my firearms out with me. I currently own 2 rifles, a shotgun, and a handgun. My understanding is that if I mail my guns to myself I will need to ship them to an FFL, is that correct? If so, would the receiving FFL charge me for accepting the packages? My other option would be to check the firearms as cargo on my flight over. I can fit everything in 2 cases which would cost me $75 each through SW Airlines (I will be using my 2 free bags for personal items). Does anyone have any insight on the most cost effective way to transport everything? Thanks in advance!

[Librarian]

No, shipping to yourself need not go to an FFL; the guns must be sent to yourself, care of someone, and marked (and actually obeyed) 'to be opened by addressee only'. BATF says this works.

Getting UPS or other shipper to go along with it is another matter; their business policies require an FFL on one end or the other.

And only an FFL can use US Mail for a handgun; the long guns can go by mail.

See also the wiki --

http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/Moving_to_California_with_firearms

http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/Shipping_Firearms_Within_California

[dwtt]

I had the same dilema, but in the other direction, leaving CA. I brought all of my guns to VA in checked luggage over a series of cross country trips. I would recommend disassembling your rifles and shotgun to get everything to fit into one hard sided suitcase. You'll only have to pay for one piece of checked luggage. This is cheaper than shipping the guns to yourself.
If you can't fit everything into one piece of luggage, like the barrel of the shotgun, then mail the parts to yourself with the post office. Since you aren't mailing the receivers of any gun, it's legal for you to send the barrel, buttstock, grips, ....etc. The last time I flew from CA to transport my guns, I had two pistols, a disassembled AK, a disassembled G-3, and a disassembled Remington 1100. I shipped the shotgun barrel and stocks for the rifles in a box through the post office and it arrived almost two weeks after I arrived by plane.
Checking in the guns in your luggage is the cheapest and most secure way to transport your firearms.

[soundwave9]

Actually that's a really great idea, I have no idea why I didn't think of that. If I pull apart everything and just fly with the receivers I can definitely make it all fit in one case. Then I can ship the barrels and stocks and then I'll probably carry on my optics so I don't have to worry about them being mishandled.

[dantodd]

Welcome to the state and the fight.

[nathan_jose]

or you could just travel with your firearms. check with the plane first if they allow that. Southwest does allow as long as the luggage can be locked, such as a pelican case.

[BigPimping]

Why the heck would you come here? North Korea likely has more freedom.

[Best sale]

I will just disassemble and check the damn thing in. Handguns & rifles in a TSA approved locked case secure to some solid material in the Bag.
**** better remember no more than 10rnds mags & Bullet button on those Ghost gunz ***

[Quiet]

North Korea likely has more freedom.

No it does not.