Another dumb shipping question

[ID_shooting]

Greetings y'all!

I just searched through many "how do I ship a gun" threads and I am still a bit confused. Can somone who holds an FFL help me out here.

I am having a hand gun shipped in from out of state from one FFL to my local FFL. It is my understanding that hand guns must be shipped using next day air (but I can fins no refrence to it in the ATF site). The gun in question is being shipped ground.

Any input for this?

 

[MikeyB]

It is my understanding that hand guns must be shipped using next day air

I'm not an FFL dealer but the one I spoke with indicated that a transfer is usually ground-shipped and arrives within 2 to 4 business days.

Hope I heard him right - I don't want to be passing around incorrect information.

 

[WeedWhacker]

I researched this matter a little while ago. The main caveat is to ensure that you're shipping to someone with a valid FFL, else you might get a visit from some folks from Our Favorite Government Agency.

Here's the thread, and the gist is that, excepting maybe the US Postal Service, you can ship guns anywhere to any FFL holder and the shipper cannot mark the box as containing a firearm in any way - and I suggest you don't, either. Come up with a creative alternative description for the contents.

Remember that a common carrier's (FedEx, UPS, etc.) policy is NOT law in any way, shape, or form. The law is 18 USC 922e, which you can browse online.

Personally, I ship my firearms pre-packed and list the contents as something similar to "material components", "parts", etc., and I usually ship using ground delivery, not overnight.

 

[kfranz]

You'll find no reference to the overnight shipping on ATF's website because they have no such requirement. You'll need to check with your shipper to see if they have any.

 

[BigRobT]

I had an experience at the US Post Office last Monday. Here is the story:


During the course of a discussion on a primarily military board, a young active duty Soldier was looking to replace his Mossberg 695 (Slug gun). I just happened to have a safe queen 695 that I saw an opportunity to get rid of. For some strange reason, he was quite fond of the 695 he had, but he felt he had to sell his guns before he joined the military. So, we worked out a deal.

Since having participated in this board and the High Road, I've gleaned a LOT of good info. I've researched shipping of firearms, followed the advice of members and their links they've published. I go over to the Post Office on Friday and inquire about shipping a shotgun. IMMEDIATELY, the clerk says , "We CAN'T DO THAT!!" I said, "excuse me, but I've researched the matter to some extent and you CAN ship long guns." She continues to argue and says, "I'll go get the Postmaster". He comes out, opens up their regulation book and the page on shipping firearms was ALREADY marked !! I suppressed a laugh. He pointed out that it was permissible and returned to his office. I then asked about dimensions, boxes, and a few other questions, as I have never had cause to ship a gun.

Today, I go back to the Post Office and a different clerk was there. A real smartass type. She says I can't ship it. Fortunately, the clerk I had discussed this with on Friday was standing at the next counter space and informed her that I could. Then the smartass clerk was saying, "I'm not putting MY number on it!!" I'm like..........***???? Then she asks me if it's disassembled. I told her that it's disassembled as much as it can be. Finally, the transaction got completed. (It was shipped to a FFL holder for the transfer)

What really amazes me is the poor customer service, the know-it-all (but not really) attitudes and the immense lack of regulations knowledge of these counter clerks. All I can say is that "Forewarned is forearmed" !!! Had I NOT found the information around the boards and done some prior research, I would have wound up disappointed and pissed off.

Thanks to the people here and on another board for the advice in the threads!!

 

[SIOP]

If the handgun in question is being shipped via UPS or FedEx, then whoever shipped it violated the terms of service agreement with the carrier. If the handgun gets lost or damaged, YOU are going to be the one out the money because the carrier will rightly refuse to pay for the loss or damage. Doesn't matter how much insurance they may have bought.

An FFL to FFL transfer could have been done via USPS also.

There is no federal requirement for overnight shipping of handguns. It is only a requirement of UPS and FedEx.

 

[Legionnaire]

Not an easy topic to figure out. A key problem is that the rules are not the same for FFL holders as they are for non-FFL holders. As kfranz points out, the only Federal regs on this are that a firearm (handgun or otherwise) shipped across state lines must go to the holder of a valid FFL There are some exceptions, such as shipping to one's self, a manufacturer, etc., but the general rule is that if ownership of the gun is being transferred, the gun must be shipped to an FFL holder on the receiving end.

Here's where it gets complicated. According to USPS Publication 52, the Post Office will accept handguns for shipment from an FFL to an FFL. As private citizens, you and I can't ship a handgun via USPS.

Which gets us to UPS or the like, who have their own regulations. UPS requires that handguns be shipped via overnight air. But that's a UPS restriction, not a law.

So if your handgun is coming from an FFL, it may very well be coming through the mail, and take a couple of extra days.

I researched all this trying to figure out the least expensive way to ship a handgun to someone else. Most local FFLs charge shipping/insurance via USPS plus a transfer fee, the latter being as high as $25. So shipping through an FFL around here typically runs $35-$40, which is about the same as shipping via UPS Overnight Air.

Good luck.

 

[ShootingEnthusiatist]

Had the same question not long ago

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/guidelines/firearms.html

 

[deadin]

For those of you that are counciling shipping UPS or FedEx and prepackaging as "component parts", "machine parts",etc., not only will you take it in the shorts if the shipment comes up missing, Be aware you are also breaking Federal law. "You must inform a common carrier that your package contains a firearm".