UPS Refused to Ship My Gun Barrel

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Kramer Krazy

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I went to UPS today to ship a gun barrel back to the manufacturer for warranty work. When asked if the barrel was for a gun, I said that it was. Then, I was asked if it has a serial number. I told her that if it did, I would have shipped it through my FFL. She then pulled out a new policy she received a few days ago and read to me that they refuse to ship gun barrels and that I would have to go through an FFL. I told her that it was funny because they delivered it to my front door two days ago and never even asked for a signature as they dumped it off on my front poarch and left.

FedEx had no problems shipping it for me and I wrote UPS to tell them that they can keep their company policy because FedEx likes my money.
 
if it is just the barrel, without the rest of the gun, what is the problem?

I think someone is either on a power trip, or more likely, misunderstanding the memo.

This is why I have everything prepackaged before dropping it off, either to UPS or the post office. What I ship is none of their business as long as I'm shipping it legally.

When asked it the barrel was for a gun, I'd have replied, "no, its for pickles" and watch them try to figure it out.
When asked if it had a serial number, I'd have simply said "nope".
 
The independently owned retail shops have leaway and can make up their policies to suit the bias of the owner. Even though the national policy may be okay, the local shop can be as anti gun as they want.

Either visit another shop, take it to the distro center, relabel it as machine parts, or use another shipper.
 
I always pack any gun stuff and even print label from my fedex or ups account and just drop off. No reason for anyone to know what i an shipping. I am shipping everything according to federal law, so poo!

Sent from my DROID RAZR
 
So without the receiver, trigger and stock it's basically a pipe. So what's the problem UPS???
 
+1

You weren't shipping a gun.
You were shipping a barrel.

Your first mistake was telling them it was a gun barrel.
They don't even need to know that, unless it is still has a receaver attached to it with the guns serial number on it.

Barrels seldom have serial numbers.

Next time mail "Machine Parts" and tell them to stuff it, but not too hard, or they will damage the machine parts..

rc
 
What does a serial number on the barrel have to do with anything?
Nothing. By the tone in her voice, I was thinking that the serial number was some key phrase to her, so I tried to avoid any issues.....and failed.

As for packing it. I had it packed, sealed, and labeled. I just happened to write "Upper barrel assembly" on the form because it's never created an issue in the past and didn't worry about it....which was a mistake, apparently.
 
Just shipped a Ruger Security Six to Ruger via ups. Printed label at home. Dropped in ups drop. Arrived at ruger no problems
 
they recently sent me a whole parts kit with no issue... from Atlantic Firearms... including the barrel... I guess it's not against the parts... they must not like you... just kidding... what a delta bravo....
 
It seems to me that it probably said something to the effect of reciever or any part with serial # and knowing anything about guns she made a bad assumption.
 
Next time, tell them it's a brake line. A very sturdy one for a car that hasn't been invented yet.
 
"It's the upper barrel assembly for the four barrel carburetor off my Toyota Prius." If she doesn't know jack about guns, it's probably safe to assume she didn't know jack about cars, either. Just check the parking lot to make sure there isn't a Prius parked there.

I wonder if business is so good for them in this down economy that they can afford to turn away business, just for the sake of being PC.
 
Do you even have to state what the package contains for domestic shipping?
If not, then I wouldn't recommend writing the contents on the outside anyway, simply because it might invite theft.

If you are under some obligation to describe the contents, then the 'machine parts' suggestions should do nicely. A gun is a machine, and a barrel is a part.

Maybe she just got it wrong. I've noticed that a surprisingly large number of people, including at least one novelist, think that the cylinder of a revolver is called a 'barrel'.
The barrel is one part of a gun's anatomy that everybody has heard of, but not everybody knows what it is. I bet that far fewer people know what a receiver is.


The fact that she asked about a serial number may well indicate that she read but didn't really understand a rule about receivers and refused to ship your barrel for fear of getting into trouble.
 
I went through the exact same scenario with a barrel at our local "UPS Store". After shipping hundreds of firearms through our shop and ll through UPS, I went to the regional director and was told that while these "stores" had to abide by corporate rules, they were not limited to them and could add most anything they wanted to.

This tool went so far as to dis-allow a friend's sending of a - wait for it... - bayonet as a prohibited item.
 
Do you even have to state what the package contains for domestic shipping?

Nope, not unless it's hazardous. UPS has their own policy about declaring firearms, but not declaring isn't a violation of law. However, if the gun is worth over $500, you should declare it and have it insured properly.

I've shipped a number of long guns to FFLs UPS; They didn't ask, I didn't tell.
 
Nope, not unless it's hazardous. UPS has their own policy about declaring firearms, but not declaring isn't a violation of law. However, if the gun is worth over $500, you should declare it and have it insured properly.

I've shipped a number of long guns to FFLs UPS; They didn't ask, I didn't tell.
Well despite what they may claim, a barrel is not a firearm, only the receiver is, so you wouldn't be under any obligation to declare a barrel.
 
People who don't believe that our 2nd amendment rights are being attacked are living in la la land. Case in point, the OP's story. I work with a gaggle of libs and any time the current situation involving guns comes up, I'm routinely told I'm overreacting or being paranoid. Every journey begins with a single step. This whole damn mania against gun culture not only pisses me off, but has me very concerned. I know many here feel the same. This crap has got to stop.
 
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