Can I overnight my handgun to myself?

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glockman19

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If I am traveling from CA to FL and want my handgun, (I have my FL non-resident CWP), Can I overnight my handgun to myself?

I believe that I can IF It is overnight UPS or FedEx, and it is addressed to myself. Just no USPS.

Is this correct?
 
I assume you're flying, so why not bring it with you? A buddy of mine said it wasn't that hard at all, as long as you follow the right guidelines set by TSA.
 
I'm not checking in any baggage...Don't want to check in just the handgun(s). I'll likely send myself a Bersa Thunder 380 as If it get's lost/stolen I can deal with it.
 
You could. However, I would just put it in a very large box and send it regular UPS.

FedEx and UPS imsist on overnight shipping because they cannot stop their employees from stealing handgun-sized boxes.

mbogo
 
To answer your question... yes, you just take it to FEDEX or UPS addressed to yourself, in care of another person. FEDEX tariff (company policy) says they won't ship to a non-FFL, so you would have to hope the FEDEX counter person does not know that.

To offer my unsolicited opinion, it would be much easier and cheaper to fly with it in a checked piece of luggage even if the gun was all that was in the checked luggage. AND you could send ammo with the gun that way, whereas with UPS or FEDEX you could not send ammo with the gun.
 
The easiest and cheapest way ($0) to travel with a handgun when you are flying is to take it in your checked luggage. The only downside is that you'll to wait for the luggage to be unloaded when you arrive.

When I've traveled with handguns, I just usually throw them, in a hardsided case, in my checked luggage with the extra mags, hearing protectors and holster/mag carriers
 
I purchased a hard Winchester takedown shotgun case for transporting handguns...It's metal, locks and is too big for someone to tuck it under their shirt or hide it....works out well for me.......
 
It is also a felony to willingly and knowingly ship a firearm without advising the shipper and without it being sent to an FFL. just check in, avoid getting sent to prison.
 
I have to concur that taking it with you may be the best, most cost effective choice.

I just shipped a handgun to be refinished, what a PITA. UPS grilled me as to whether I could prove the recipient is a FFL until I became sufficiently annoyed and left. A friendly FFL offered to do it but that would involve 4473 and a fee on the return trip. Finally I went to FedEx; the counter lady took my word the recipient is a FFL but wanted to be sure the gun was unloaded, which I was happy to demonstrate. $85 later it's on it's way.

Never again.
 
bikemutt said:
A friendly FFL offered to do it but that would involve 4473 and a fee on the return trip.A friendly FFL offered to do it but that would involve 4473 and a fee on the return trip.

If your "friendly" FFL told you there would be a 4473 and transfer fee for the return of a firearm sent for customization or repair, then either the "friendly" FFL is not very well informed, or they aren't so "friendly" and tried to sucker you for a transfer fee.

There is no 4473, NICS check, or "transfer" required for an FFL to return a firearm, or replacement back to the original recipient, if that firearm was delivered to the FFL for the purpose of customization or repair. It does not matter if you deliver the firearm to #1 FFL who then sends the gun to #2 FFL for the actual work, no form 4473, NICS check, or "transfer" is required by either FFL.
 
Dr_B said:
Get a case that you can lock and get one of the TSA-approved locks.

^Which violates Federal regulation. The lock on the gun case must be a non-TSA standard lock that only the owner of the gun retains the key/combination to in order to comply with Federal regulations.
 
If your "friendly" FFL told you there would be a 4473 and transfer fee for the return of a firearm sent for customization or repair, then either the "friendly" FFL is not very well informed, or they aren't so "friendly" and tried to sucker you for a transfer fee.

There is no 4473, NICS check, or "transfer" required for an FFL to return a firearm, or replacement back to the original recipient, if that firearm was delivered to the FFL for the purpose of customization or repair. It does not matter if you deliver the firearm to #1 FFL who then sends the gun to #2 FFL for the actual work, no form 4473, NICS check, or "transfer" is required by either FFL.
Well, the way it was explained to me, the FFL I would give the gun to for shipping would be required to enter it into his bound book. He would send it to the gunsmith (refinisher), who would return it the FFL. The FFL would then be required to transfer the gun to me (form 4473).

So, I guess the point being that once it's in his book, the only way for it to exit the book is a transfer.

Are we wrong about that?
 
bikemutt said:
Well, the way it was explained to me, the FFL I would give the gun to for shipping would be required to enter it into his bound book. He would send it to the gunsmith (refinisher), who would return it the FFL. The FFL would then be required to transfer the gun to me (form 4473).

So, I guess the point being that once it's in his book, the only way for it to exit the book is a transfer.

Are we wrong about that?

First, the gunsmith (refinisher) must also have an FFL, otherwise the intermediary FFL (shipping) is violating Federal law by sending the gun to them.

Second, everything is correct as stated, except that for this particular transfer (return a firearm or a replacement firearm to the original owner which was originally surrendered for the purpose of repair or customization) is exempt from the requirement to do a form 4473. It does not matter that an intermediary FFL is used for shipping. The entire transaction itself is for the sole purpose of customization or repair.

27 CFR 478.124:
§ 478.124 Firearms transaction record.
(a) A licensed importer, licensed manufacturer,
or licensed dealer shall not sell or
otherwise dispose, temporarily or permanently,
of any firearm to any person, other
than another licensee, unless the licensee
records the transaction on a firearms
transaction record, Form 4473: Provided,
That a firearms transaction record, Form
4473, shall not be required to record the
disposition made of a firearm delivered to
a licensee for the sole purpose of repair or
customizing when such firearm or a replacement
firearm is returned to the person
from whom received.

Real life example: I bought my wife a PT-145 from Wholesale Sports in Burlington Washington as an anniversary present using my military ID card and orders to Washington. The gun needed to be returned to Taurus for repair. My wife took her gun back to Wholesale Sports for them to ship it to Taurus (which they do for free). We asked, Is this going to be a problem to get her gun back because she does not have a Washington state ID card because she is a military spouse? The answer, from Wholesale Sports, a large retail change, was No, because no form 4473 or NICS check is required, and no Washington state pistol transfer form is required either.
 
Ok, I'm a little confused. So is it just long guns that you can send to yourself, via Fed Ex?

I thought that you could send any firearm to yourself that way.
 
Ok, I'm a little confused. So is it just long guns that you can send to yourself, via Fed Ex?

I thought that you could send any firearm to yourself that way.
It's the FedEx part. They don't ship handguns. If you shipped a handgun to yourself UPS it would be OK.
 
natman said:
It's the FedEx part. They don't ship handguns. If you shipped a handgun to yourself UPS it would be OK.

http://fedex.com/us/service-guide/terms/express-ground/index.html

FedEx Express will transport and deliver firearms as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, between areas served in the U.S., but only between:

Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof; or

Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).

Their terms of service have changed - it used to be long guns could go by FEDEX ground (if going to an FFL) and only handguns were required to go by overnight... that is no longer the case:

Firearms must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight service. FedEx Express cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D. Firearms shipments cannot be placed in a FedEx Express Drop Box.
 
bikemutt said:
UPS (at least the depot I was at) also says they will not ship a handgun unless one of the parties is FFL.

I'll be danged... they changed their tariff as well. So now there is no way to ship a handgun to yourself in another state - unless you use something other than USPS, UPS or FEDEX.... at least you can still mail a rifle/shotgun via post office, for now.

http://www.ups.com/media/en/terms_service_us.pdf

3.6 Firearms and Ammunition
UPS accepts packages containing firearms
(as defined by Title 18, Chapter 44, and
Title 26, Chapter 53 of the United States
Code), only (a) between licensed
importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed
dealers, and licensed collectors (as defined
in Title 18, Chapter 44 of the United States
Code), and government agencies,; and (b)
where not otherwise prohibited by federal,
state, or local law from (i) an individual to a
licensed importer, licensed manufacturer,
licensed dealer or licensed collector; and
(ii) from a licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed
collector to an individual.
 
NavyLCDR ....Their terms of service have changed - it used to be long guns could go by FEDEX ground (if going to an FFL) and only handguns were required to go by overnight... that is no longer the case:
FedEx Ground tariff still allows rifles and shotguns...just read the FedEx Ground Tariff in your link.
Firearms

FedEx Ground will transport and deliver firearms (excluding handguns) as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, between areas served in the U.S., but only between:
Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof; or
Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).
If your shipment contains firearms, select the Direct Signature Required or Adult Signature Required Delivery Signature Option, depending on the requirements of your shipment. See the Delivery Signature Options section for details. Firearms shipments are not eligible for signature release, driver release or indirect delivery.
FedEx Ground cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D.
Upon presenting the package for shipment, the person tendering the shipment to FedEx Ground is required to notify FedEx Ground that the package contains a firearm. The outside of the package must not be marked, labeled or otherwise identify that the package contains a firearm.
The shipper and recipient must be of legal age as identified by applicable law.
The shipper and recipient are required to comply with all applicable government regulations and laws, including those pertaining to labeling. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can provide assistance.
FedEx Ground will transport small-arms ammunition when packed and labeled in compliance with local, state and federal law, and the Hazardous Materials section of this Service Guide. Ammunition is an explosive and must be shipped separately as hazardous materials. You agree not to ship loaded firearms or firearms with ammunition in the same package.
FedEx Ground will not accept for transport handguns, assembled or disassembled.
 
UPS apprently doesn't know its own tariffs....

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.html?srch_pos=3&srch_phr=handgun


Shipping Firearms

Special Procedures for Shipping Firearms

Use These UPS Services for Your Firearm Shipment
UPS accepts packages containing firearms (as defined by Title 18, Chapter 44, and Title 26, Chapter 53 of the United States Code) for transportation from and between licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors (as defined in Title 18, Chapter 44 of the United States Code), law enforcement agencies of the United States (or of any department or agency of the United States), law enforcement agencies of any state or department agency (or political subdivision of any state), from and between persons not otherwise prohibited from shipping firearms by federal, state or local law, and when such shipment complies with all federal, state and local laws applicable to the shipper, recipient, and package.


Handguns, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 921,will be accepted for transportation only via UPS Next Day Air Services, specifically, UPS Next Day Air® Early A.M.®, UPS Next Day Air®, and UPS Next Day Air Saver®. (Note: UPS Express CriticalSM Service is not available for firearms).
UPS accepts firearm parts for shipment, provided the part is not a "firearm" as defined under federal law; the contents of the package cannot be assembled to form a firearm; and the package otherwise complies with federal, state, and local law. (Note: Receivers or frames of a firearm, firearm mufflers and silencers are considered "firearms" and are accepted for transportation only if shipped in accordance with UPS's requirements for shipping firearms.)
UPS does not accept automatic weapons, including machine guns, for shipment.
Firearms (including handguns) and firearm parts are not accepted for shipment internationally.
UPS ReturnsSM Services are not available for packages containing firearms.



Follow These Packing Requirements
Packages containing handguns must be separated from other packages tendered to UPS for delivery.
All firearms are to be shipped in new corrugated packaging which meets the UPS Single Wall Box Strength Guidelines. Medium and large UPS boxes may be used for smaller shipments being shipped via UPS Express service.
All firearms are to be packaged in accordance with UPS Packaging Guideline Specifications.
Ammunition must be shipped separately from packages that contain firearms (including handguns).
Ammunition will be transported only when packaged and labeled in compliance with 49 C.F.R. § 172 regarding hazardous materials shipments, and must be shipped in accordance with the UPS Guide for Shipping Ground and Air Hazardous Materials.



About Documentation and Labeling
The shipper must use Delivery Confirmation Adult Signature Required service for each package containing a firearm, including a handgun, and affix a UPS label requesting an adult signature upon delivery.
The labeling and outer box markings on all firearms shipments should not identify the contents as containing a firearm. Labeling, including the shipper's and consignee's abbreviated names on the shipping label or air shipping document, must be non-descriptive.



Getting Your Firearm Shipment to UPS
Firearms (including handguns) may be shipped only through a UPS Scheduled Pickup Account (specifically, Daily Pickup, Daily On-Route Pickup, UPS Smart Pickup®, and Day-Specific Pickup), or through a UPS Customer Center (counters at UPS operational facilities). Note: Firearms (including handguns) are not accepted for shipment via, UPS Drop Boxes, UPS On-Call PickupSM, or at locations of The UPS Store® or any third party retailer.
When you are shipping a package that contains a handgun, you must verbally notify the UPS driver or UPS Customer Center clerk.
See the terms and conditions in the UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service for information regarding firearm shipments.
 
The problem is UPS, FedEx or any shipper has no way of knowing that the shipper, the recipient and the shipment itself are all lawful.

For example, when I arrived at the UPS counter with my handgun to be shipped to a refinisher, there seemed to be nothing on earth I could furnish the counter person with that would convince him the recipient is a FFL. And maybe rightfully so; honestly I don't know absolutely for sure the refinisher is a FFL, I just assume since they've been providing this service to others for close to as long as I've been on this planet, and managed to stay out of trouble, they are a FFL.

But lets say I could call the refinisher and have them send me a copy of their gunsmith FFL.

Now for me, the shipper. How would UPS or FedEx know I'm not a prohibited person? I dunno, I guess I don't look like a terrorist, mostly. Maybe we need form 4474, UPS/FedEx NICS check, just kidding of course.

And the shipped item, instant X-Ray needed? FedEx really wanted reassurance the revolver wasn't loaded, so I unboxed it and showed her, discreetly of course, no brandishing here.

Overall an unpleasant and costly experience, one I'll try to avoid in the future.
 
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