Does anyone know the law about transferring a long gun from one state to another? I want to sell a rifle on Gun Broker, and know that it has to go thru a FFL. But my question is do I have to have my local FFL ship it to a FFL or can I do it?
Transferring a long gun from state to state
- Thread starter CZguy
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yeti
Member
You can do it yourself provided the FFL you are shipping it to will accept it from a non FFL holder. They can accept it but a lot choose not to, so check with them first.
nalioth
Member
Next time you run a gunbroker auction, make sure you put "I am a private citizen. If you bid on this auction, please make sure your receiving FFL is okay with receiving this item from me" or something like that in your boilerplate.
Not accepting shipments from private citizens is a business decision on some FFL's parts that I have yet to see a good reason for.
Not accepting shipments from private citizens is a business decision on some FFL's parts that I have yet to see a good reason for.
medalguy
Member
I've been told by my ffl that it is because if it is received from a non-ffl, there is no absolute identification of the shipper, and in the event of a problem, the ffl cannot return it to the non-ffl shipper.
nalioth
Member
I can't think of any problems at all where the dealer would be at risk.medalguy said:
FROGO207
Member
^^^ For instance if the seller sells a stolen gun and then disappears with the funds and no real name or address to track him to. And this has never ever happened?? 
YEAH SURE:banghead:
YEAH SURE:banghead:NavyLCDR
member
Sounds like the buyer's problem to me, not the FFL's.
nalioth
Member
Exactly.NavyLT said:
Sounds like the buyer's problem to me, not the FFL's.
Exactly.
And that has never made a businessman's life miserable. Every customer is reasonable, and local police always quickly determine blame and leave the innocent alone. Oh, and while they're checking out the complaint they won't examine every firearm you have. Just to be safe. No matter how much time it takes.
For the typical transfer fee, I can understand just ignoring the possible huge hassle if you deal with a non FFL shipper.
Exactly.
And that has never made a businessman's life miserable. Every customer is reasonable, and local police always quickly determine blame and leave the innocent alone. Oh, and while they're checking out the complaint they won't examine every firearm you have. Just to be safe. No matter how much time it takes.
For the typical transfer fee, I can understand just ignoring the possible huge hassle if you deal with a non FFL shipper.
NavyLCDR
member
Makes me appreciate my almost local FFL a lot more. Receives guns from private parties no problems and transfers them to active duty service members for the huge price of a thank you.
Bubbles
Member
This is false. The reason the FFL can't return the rifle to the sender is that Federal law (GCA '68) prohibits it. The only time an FFL can ship or return a firearm to a non-licensee without going through NICS is when the FFL was given the firearm expressly for the purpose of repair/gunsmithing/etc.
MAKE THIS SIMPLE:
GUNBROKER HAS A LIST OF FFL'S THAT WILL HANDLE A TRANSFER IN THE BUYERS AREA...CHECK THE LIST!
NO MORE DIFFICULT than that!
1) Do not mark the packing box with any wording that might reveal contents: THIS IS BY FEDERAL LAW.
2 ) Suggest you use USPS.
GUNBROKER HAS A LIST OF FFL'S THAT WILL HANDLE A TRANSFER IN THE BUYERS AREA...CHECK THE LIST!
NO MORE DIFFICULT than that!
1) Do not mark the packing box with any wording that might reveal contents: THIS IS BY FEDERAL LAW.
2 ) Suggest you use USPS.
NavyLCDR
member
Mike Sr. said:
Not exactly. The actual Federal statute is:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sec_18_00000922----000-.html
18 USC 922 (e):
It is illegal for the carrier to label the package. It is NOT illegal for the person shipping the gun to do so.
jimmyraythomason
Member
It would NOT be a smart thing to do in any case.
dogtown tom
Member
Nothing screams "STEAL ME!!!" like "firearm inside" written on the box.
Since the first of the year I've had two rifles delivered in the manufacturers box. A box with REMINGTON in giant green letters or WINCHESTER in giant red letters does not actually say the package contains a firearm, but I have serious questions regarding the mental competency of someone who would ship a firearm that way. (the Remington was shipped without insurance or signature required and was left on my doorstep)
Since the first of the year I've had two rifles delivered in the manufacturers box. A box with REMINGTON in giant green letters or WINCHESTER in giant red letters does not actually say the package contains a firearm, but I have serious questions regarding the mental competency of someone who would ship a firearm that way. (the Remington was shipped without insurance or signature required and was left on my doorstep)
mgkdrgn
Member
100% Correct
And then there is the "who will pay for the return shipping" part ... but that is the same FFL shipped or not.
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