Shipping a Shotgun?

[cologuy]

I've been around guns all my life, and thought I knew a lot about gun-related subjects, but I got a reminder this afternoon that there's always something I don't know.

I know that when you buy a gun from an internet dealer, auction site, etc, that you need to have it shipped to your local FFL dealer instead of directly to you. As dumb as it sounds, it never occurred to me that I'd need to work through FFL holders to ship an old shotgun to a relative as a gift. The folks at the local UPS store were very helpful and nice about it, but I thought another customer at the counter was going to have a stroke or something, because he couldn't believe I was so ignorant (but that's another rant for another day).

So, anyway, is there any other (legal) option to ship a gun as a gift? The cost of working through 2 FFL holders, plus the regular shipping costs, will be more than the gun is worth, honestly. And I don't want to disguise the shotgun as "machine parts" like one helpful person suggested - I'm too old to make it in prison.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[nalioth]

Depends on where the recipient lives, and if they are in the same state, the state laws.

For example, I can send any firearms to any other eligible Texan directly to their door (following all the laws).

 

[j21blackjack]

You can ship the shotgun through the Post Office to an FFL on his end, that will save you a little money.

From http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/unlicensed-persons.html#shipping-firearms-usps

Q: 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. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

 

[nalioth]

You can ship the shotgun through the Post Office to an FFL on his end, that will save you a little money.

If the recipient is a fellow state resident, and the state law allows, he can send it directly to them (and save a little money).

Q: 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. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

 

[dogtown tom]

giveuosam once my father has given me a 20ga pump with two barrels but he lives in missouri.would it be legal to ship the firearm straight to me or does it legally have go from dealer to dealer.i looked on the net and could not pin down a yes or no answer, if no one knows i'll call around tomorrow.

The answer is already pinned down above.......No.

Your father can ship the shotgun directly to you ONLY if you also live in Missouri.
If you live in another state your father is required by Federal law to ship the shotgun to a licensed firearms dealer (FFL). Shipping a firearm OUT OF STATE to a nonlicensee is a Federal no no. Federal law allows your father to ship directly to a dealer in your state. There is no Federal law that requires a dealer at the shipping end. Be sure the receiving dealer will accept shipments from a nonlicensee.


There are certain exceptions. Return of a firearm from the manufacturer, shipping a firearm to yourself are among them. (You could go to Missouri and ship it yourself to your home out of state).

 

[cologuy]

nalioth/j21blackjack - Thanks for the information - I'll try to find an FFL holder that will receive the gun for my niece on her end. It's an out-of-state transfer, as you probably guessed. And I'll definitely give the post office a try - I never thought of shipping through them, I'm so used to going UPS/FEDEX. Again, thanks.