Rifle shipping question

[mrstang01]

Gang, I need some assistance here. About 2 years ago, I sent an Ishapore Enfield to a "gunsmith" to have some work done. To make a long story short, a friend went to visit him, and picked my rifle up (most of the work I requested appears to be done). Problem being, my amigo is in TX, and I'm in KY.

Since it's my rifle, is there any way I can send him a Fedex call tag, and just have them pick it up. If I were going there for a visit, I could legally ship it to myself, and then ship it home after the visit. I suppose this would be too logical (what part of shall not be infringed does the ATF not understand) and I will have to have him ship it to an FFL.

Thanks!

 

[aguyindallas]

I would, uhh, just, uhh, make a drive over there and pick it up.

Or...

I have a C&R License...I would be willing to help you out and ship it to you if it is a C&R weapon. I am in the DFW area.

PM me...

 

[mrstang01]

Thank you sir, that's right neighborly. I don't think the Ishapore Enfields are C&R eligible though, are they?

 

[aguyindallas]

I am not sure if they are. I would need to check the legality of this. I think it is fine because:

I WOULD have to put it into my bound book as "inventory"

Since I didnt pay anything for it, I could transfer it to another FFL without any issues.

I would not charge a fee, so I would not be using my C&R for profit.

I think its legal for me to do this. Let me check if the item is C&R

PM Me from now on....

 

[aguyindallas]

My C&R List says this:

Lee Enfield, No 1 MkIII bolt action rifle cal .303, mfd in Isahpore, India between 1946 and 1960. Original Military configuration only.

Does it qualify for this?

 

[Jim K]

The simplest, and absolutely legal, way is to contact your local dealer and handle it like an out-of-state purchase. The dealer sends your friend a copy of his license, and your friend ships the rifle to him, either by carrier or by mail.

Then you pick the gun up at the dealers shop. You might have to do a 4473, but that is no problem. The dealer might or might not charge a fee, depending on how well you know him and how much business you do with him, but work that out in advance.

BTW, BATF did not invent those rules; Congress did, so gripe about the law to your members of Congress.

It is too late now, but why didn't the gunsmith ship the gun directly to you, as he can, since it is merely returning your own gun? By picking it up, your friend put himself in the loop and complicated the issue. Further, why did the gunsmith give the rifle to someone other than the owner? Did you give your friend a letter, or does the guy just turn customers' guns over to anyone who walks into his shop?

Jim

 

[mrstang01]

It's a really long, complicated story, but basically, he's had some health problems, let his FFL lapse, my bud was going up to see him anyway, and I asked him to pick up my rifle. I let the guy know he should let my compadre have it, because I just wanted it back.

 

[Jim K]

Sorry, those questions weren't really any of my business, I was just curious as to the origin of the problem. But a non-licensee can ship a rifle to a dealer in any state, so I think that is the best way to handle the situation. It might cost money, but would be cheaper than a drive from Texas to Kentucky at the current cost of gas.

Jim

 

[mrstang01]

No problem Jim, if I didn't want to answer, I wouldn't have. I may have to have him ship it to an FFL, it just galls me to have to pay more for my own rifle.

 

[BluesBear]

Why not call the ATF and ask them? What could it hurt?

Since, in good faith you sent it to a Federal Fireaems Licensee. Which is legal.
The fact that the gunsmith took so long in doing the repairs is not your fault.
The fact that the licensee let his FFL expire is also none of your fault.

Ask the ATF if the gunsmith can still ship YOUR gun back to YOU.
The worst that can happen is they tell you no.

 

[mrstang01]

The gunsmith no longer has my rifle.

 

[mfree]

"The gunsmith no longer has my rifle."

is that a , a , , or is it a ?

 

[mrstang01]

Well, it's a pain trying to get it home, but at least I know it's in the hands of someone who will send it home!