[Albatross]

Looking for some info/advice regarding mailing a firearm to yourself across state lines.

I'm flying to Hawaii for awhile and want to have access to a firearm while I'm there visiting my family, but instead of going home afterwards I'm making a stop in Mexico.

Alternative suggestions, advice or been-there-done-that stories would be much appreciated.

/Not taking the handgun to Hawaii is obvious an option, but one I'd rather avoid.

[shc1]

Best bet is to take it to a gun shop and have it sent to another close to home. All the paperwork will be clear and up-front.
Not to mention the receiving shop can hold it for you as opposed to returning home and discovering your firearm had been set on your porch.
Any shop may want to run a check on said gun. In this day and age they have to keep on top of things.

[zoom6zoom]

Hawaii is pretty draconian on gun laws. They don't recognize anyone else's permits. Registration is mandatory - even for visitors bringing in firearms with them. Unless you're competing or something, I hate to say it, but leaving it at home is your best option - you won't be able to carry it for self defense, pretty much only having access to it while you're at the place you're staying.
http://www.honolulupd.org/info/gunlaw.htm

[Titan6]

Owner mailing across state lines = Go to prison

[ilbob]

Owner mailing across state lines = Go to prison

IANAL, but I believe you are correct that can't mail it to yourself, but I think you can ship it via common carrier (such as UPS).

As a practical matter, just leave it at home.

[jlpskydive]

You can FedEx overnight to a FFL. Gun Broker has a very good section on this and has been well researched.

[cyclist]

I'd also suggest leaving it at home, or be extremely certain of the rules of use, access, and engagement there.

Even paradise has a prison.

[Conqueror]

You do not have to use an FFL, and you can use the US mail if it's a long gun. Only handguns may not be sent though the US mail by non-FFL holders. If it's a handgun you'll have to use a courier like FedEx or UPS. But you can send yourself a gun, and it is perfectly legal. Just seal it in a box, don't mark it as a firearm, send it via the proper carrier, and you're good to go. This is not illegal in any way as long as it's legal for you to have the gun where you send it.

[REOIV]

You should be able to FedEx or UPS the gun to yourself no sweat.

This provision was made so that people could go hunting in other states and send their firearms ahead or mail them home when they went elsewhere much like you're doing.

There should be no problem sending yourself a gun, except that FedEx requires overnight shipping on non FFLs sending handguns. So you may end up with your gun being on your porch for a few days if the trip to Mexico lasts any length of time.

Oh and you can't send ammunition with the gun at all. It has to be treated differently and they have to be told you are sending ammunition.

The other option is to take the gun apart and mail it in pieces to yourself. The only part that would be a firearm would be the serialized receiver and that could be sent UPS or FEDEX without problems.

[Bruce333]

Hawaii is pretty draconian on gun laws. They don't recognize anyone else's permits. Registration is mandatory - even for visitors bringing in firearms with them. Unless you're competing or something, I hate to say it, but leaving it at home is your best option - you won't be able to carry it for self defense, pretty much only having access to it while you're at the place you're staying. Leave it at home. You can't carry it for protection (legally).

I haven't taken a gun when I've been back to visit my family. I grew up there without one, didn't feel the need to take one back with me now.

[Gator]

Owner mailing across state lines = Go to prison

Not so.

"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."

http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b9

You should take State laws into consideration though.

[wdlsguy]

(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. [B]Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b7

[Albatross]

Seems Fedex is the way to go. Appreciate the replies.

[Soybomb]

Fedex and UPS will both want to charge you for overnight shipping as well. Combined with the hawaiian gun laws I might consider the leave it at home option.

[CajunBass]

Since you can't carry it legally there, if I wanted access to gun, I'd rent one.

[CajunBass]

Sorry. Wrong thread.