AK Cruise vacation - WTD w/ handgun?

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Jax

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Hello,

I am approaching a situation I do not have any idea how to handle and any workable advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am vacationing to Alaska next year. We will spend approx one week in the Juneau area, get on a cruise for a week, terminate at Sitka then and spend another week enjoying that area, before flying back home.

My problem: The cruise line absolutely forbids firearms on board. (Even if buried in the hold and only accessible at starting/ending port.)

How do I *legally* drop off a handgun in Juneau before the cruise and pick it up in Sitka after the cruise? I can't come up with any scenario that doesn't involve me using an FFL. If the FFL (J) keeps it for "cleaning/service" then they can return it to me, sans 4473. If they send it to another FFL (S)(in Sitka), the second FFL cannot return the handgun to me, rather they must log it in/out of their bound book with a 4473. A 4473 which I will not pass as an out-of-state resident.

FFL(J) alone would kinda work, if I was going to be back in Juneau, but I'm not. I fly from SIT to SEA to home.

So, the crux of the question:

a) How do I legally transfer a handgun to one FFL in Juneau and pick it up a different FFL, a week later, in Sitka?
b) Do FFL's have the ability to "pre-clear" customers, so the FFL (S) in Sitka would not have to 4473 me?
c) Could I legally ship it to myself at my hotel in Sitka? How are FedEx/UPS these days with handgun shipments to/from non-FFLs?
d) Is there a courier service between JUN & SIT that would accept a shipment like this?

By what legal means may I be armed in both Juneau and Sitka (approx 1 week each) with my personally owned handgun?

If you found yourself in this position, how would you handle it?

Thanks,

Jax
 
A dealer in a state that you do not reside in cannot transfer a handgun to you legally. The 4473 would never even be introduced in that situation.

There might be a way in your situation but I cannot think of a convenient way for you to do it without involving an FFL who would not be able to complete an out of state transfer.

The best I can think of is having the FFL in Sitka (assuming you can legally drop it off at the FFL in Juneau for “cleaning” which sounds sketchy but I don’t really know for sure) ship it back to your home state FFL and you pick it up there when you get back. You’ll have to go unarmed during and after the cruise.

If I really wanted to go on this trip I would just accept the situation. In fact, I would probably just go unarmed. Having a gun is going to add aggravation that I can’t deal with on a vacation that is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. I’m willing to roll the dice.
 
j
ust buying one up there in Sitka for the second leg of the trip.
Wouldn't this just have the same problems of having it shipped from a FFL in Juneau to a fFFL in Sitka?
You might look into renting one (for "sporting purposes")
Of course this would probably involve an Alaska hunting license and possibly some kind of a guided hunt reservation....

I like the bear spray option
 
How do I *legally* drop off a handgun in Juneau before the cruise and pick it up in Sitka after the cruise?
FedEx the handgun from Juneau to a dealer in Sitka for "gunsmithing". Make sure he understands that no 4473 is required and that all you require is a function check and oiling. Get his agreement in writing. FedEx will require Overnight service for a handgun shipment.


I can't come up with any scenario that doesn't involve me using an FFL. If the FFL (J) keeps it for "cleaning/service" then they can return it to me, sans 4473. If they send it to another FFL (S)(in Sitka), the second FFL cannot return the handgun to me, rather they must log it in/out of their bound book with a 4473. A 4473 which I will not pass as an out-of-state resident.
Don't deliver it to an FFL in Juneau. No federal law or ATF reg requires an FFL to ship your handgun via a common carrier.



a) How do I legally transfer a handgun to one FFL in Juneau and pick it up a different FFL, a week later, in Sitka?
You can't. You can only acquire a firearm other than a rifle or shotgun from a dealer in your own state.
Gunsmithing does not require a transfer, 4473 or NICS when returned to the person who shipped or delivered it to the licensee for gunsmithing.


b) Do FFL's have the ability to "pre-clear" customers, so the FFL (S) in Sitka would not have to 4473 me?
No, and it isn't required for gunsmithing.


c) Could I legally ship it to myself at my hotel in Sitka? How are FedEx/UPS these days with handgun shipments to/from non-FFLs?
While Federal law does not prohibit you from shipping a firearm addressed to yourself, neither FedEx or UPS tariffs permit it. They both require an FFL to receive it from a nonlicensee. USPS only allows licensed dealers and manufacturers to mail firearms other than rifles or shotguns.
Violate USPS regs and you commit a federal crime. Violate FedEx/UPS tariffs and you won't be covered in case of loss, damage or theft.



d) Is there a courier service between JUN & SIT that would accept a shipment like this?
I don't know, but if the courier is considered a "common carrier" then they'll have policies as well. If not registered as a common carrier you may be unlawfully transferring possession to a resident of another state, a felony.



By what legal means may I be armed in both Juneau and Sitka (approx 1 week each) with my personally owned handgun?
Thats an Alaska legal question. While your cruise ship may prohibit firearms, thats not necessarily Alaska law, just their corporate policy. If like other cruise lines they'll make you go through a security check with metal detectors and baggage search.


If you found yourself in this position, how would you handle it?
FedEx from Juneau to an FFL in Sitka.
 
If i were just sightseeing I would probably choose to go unarmed. However, if i were fishing, hiking, camping, etc. I might check into shipping a gun up there, or just buying one up there in Sitka for the second leg of the trip.
Federal law prohibits dealers from transferring a firearm other than a rifle or shotgun to someone who does not reside in the same state.
 
Do you know where you are staying in Sitka?
If so, why not just ship it to yourself at the Sitka address and not mess with FFL's at all
I'm sure the hotel etc. will hold a package for a guest....
 
Hello,

I am approaching a situation I do not have any idea how to handle and any workable advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am vacationing to Alaska next year. We will spend approx one week in the Juneau area, get on a cruise for a week, terminate at Sitka then and spend another week enjoying that area, before flying back home.

My problem: The cruise line absolutely forbids firearms on board. (Even if buried in the hold and only accessible at starting/ending port.)

How do I *legally* drop off a handgun in Juneau before the cruise and pick it up in Sitka after the cruise? I can't come up with any scenario that doesn't involve me using an FFL. If the FFL (J) keeps it for "cleaning/service" then they can return it to me, sans 4473. If they send it to another FFL (S)(in Sitka), the second FFL cannot return the handgun to me, rather they must log it in/out of their bound book with a 4473. A 4473 which I will not pass as an out-of-state resident.

FFL(J) alone would kinda work, if I was going to be back in Juneau, but I'm not. I fly from SIT to SEA to home.

So, the crux of the question:

a) How do I legally transfer a handgun to one FFL in Juneau and pick it up a different FFL, a week later, in Sitka?
b) Do FFL's have the ability to "pre-clear" customers, so the FFL (S) in Sitka would not have to 4473 me?
c) Could I legally ship it to myself at my hotel in Sitka? How are FedEx/UPS these days with handgun shipments to/from non-FFLs?
d) Is there a courier service between JUN & SIT that would accept a shipment like this?

By what legal means may I be armed in both Juneau and Sitka (approx 1 week each) with my personally owned handgun?

If you found yourself in this position, how would you handle it?

Thanks,

Jax
What about not even bringing it to AK with you at all?

Idk what the laws for this are but can the local cops take possession of it for that week?

You could rent a storage unit, if there are any, and leave it there. Not that I’d advise that, but you could.

With something this much of a dilemma I’m not sure how/why this is a difficult thing to decide on. Every option except not even bringing it is nearly impossible so just don’t bring it. It really is THAT easy. It’s not like it’s insulin or oxygen that you need to live.
 
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Do you know where you are staying in Sitka?
If so, why not just ship it to yourself at the Sitka address and not mess with FFL's at all
I'm sure the hotel etc. will hold a package for a guest....
Again, there is no way to do so.
Only licensed dealers and manufacturers can mail a firearm, and only to and from another dealer or manufacturer.
Shipping FedEx or UPS means abiding by the carriers tariffs, both prohibit handgun shipments from a nonlicensee to a nonlicensee.
 
...Idk what the laws for this are but can the local cops take possession of it for that week?
Well, I DO KNOW what the laws are for this........and a transfer to a police officer is still a transfer of possession. Police officers have to abide by the same ATF regs and federal law the rest of us do when it pertains to the transfer of a firearm. (excepting the lawful seizure of a firearm pursuant to a criminal investigation)



You could rent a storage unit, if there are any, and leave it there. Not that I’d advise that, but you could.
Rent it where?o_O He isn't returning to Juneau.
 
A dilemna, for sure.
I have a similar situation, although not as complicated, each time I fly from Texas to visit my brother in northern Maine. Multiple transfers and layovers in NE cities which are antagonistic in regard to gun owners usually convinces me to leave my firearm in Texas.
 
Well, I DO KNOW what the laws are for this........and a transfer to a police officer is still a transfer of possession. Police officers have to abide by the same ATF regs and federal law the rest of us do when it pertains to the transfer of a firearm. (excepting the lawful seizure of a firearm pursuant to a criminal investigation)




Rent it where?o_O He isn't returning to Juneau.
Sitka.
 
I'm too lazy to look it up myself, but dogtown tom seems to have all of the answers, so
I know a person can mail/ship a gun to themselves (or, at least, used to be able to.)
How is/was this done?
 
....I know a person can mail/ship a gun to themselves (or, at least, used to be able to.)
How is/was this done?
USPS- Anyone can mail a rifle or shotgun addressed to himself in another state. Only licensed dealers can mail or receive by mail, those firearms that are not rifles or shotguns.
UPS/FedEx- no longer permit shipping any firearm to yourself, a licensed dealer or manufacturer must be sending or receiving.

Several years ago UPS/FedEx changed their rules.
 
The fact that the cruise line will not provide secure storage for the duration of the journey is rather ridiculous. It should be as simple as providing the weapon to the purser in a locked case dockside before departure and picking it up from the purser dockside after arrival.
 
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