shipping a shotgun

You don't need a dealer at your end.

You MAY need one at his end.

You can go to the post office and mail the gun to him, but I believe that he generally has to be licensed to receive it, across state lines, else it has to go to someone who is.

However, since this isn't a sale and is to a family member, the BATF has special rules that allow for "bequests." In this case, you are bequeathing him the shotgun. I usually think of "deceased" when I think of "bequeath," but I see no reason why you can't do this before then.

Sent to FFL

When it comes to shipping firearms it's pretty cut-and-dried. If it crosses a state line it has to be sent via an FFL. There are a couple of very specific exemptions, but family definitely is NOT one of them.

For more information on the exemptions and how to ship your gun see section B (Unlicensed Persons) of the ATF rules for shipping firearms.

Brad

I called the postmaster.

said it has to go thru FFL.

Click to expand...

It absolutely does not need to go through an FFL on your end. Tell your postmaster to look in his little book and there are two statutes describing exactly what needs to happen on your (shipping) end. The person at the desk needs to verify that the gun is unloadad and, I believe, that no ammo is sent with the gun. I have personally shipped two shotguns out to two different recipients from the airport location up in Indy. Two different clerks, both looked up the rules at my suggestion.

Very clearly, it does not need to go through an FFL on the Indiana end.

ship it to yourself in kansas c/o your son and you can ship diirect.
the atf handbook says you may preship a longgun to yourself for hunting trips. break it down. package it well and insure it then ship it UPS ground w/ adult signature. no problem, done everyday.
look at brads link under B10.

The idea behind a bequest is that the gun is then his property. Therefore, he is entitled to receive his property across state lines, as was mentioned in that you are allowed to mail your guns ahead of you to your destination. Hence, the exception for family is contingent upon how you read the rules.

Whether, as a father, you would be allowed to mail the gun, by proxy, for your son is in question.

If the Post Office gets horsey about needing an FFL on your end, print a copy of the ATF regs from the link I posted above and take it to the post office with you. It has helped me on many an occasion.

For the "bequeath" aspect to be applicable you must come into direct possession of the weapon (i.e. you have traveled to the location in question and the gun is given directly to you.) In this case, the gun is now your personal property and you can legally ship it to yourself under Item B10 of the ATF regs. If someone else, including family members ships the gun to you they must ship the gun through an FFL even though the gun is now legally yours. Although there are many who have gotten away with shipping guns to family members under this mistaken assumtion, it is still illegal and the ATF will have little sympathy if they catch you.

The bottom line is simple - if it crosses a state line you have to ship it to an FFL unless one of the exclusions specifically cited in Section B (Unlicensed Persons) of the ATF regs is directly applicable. Remember that the ATF is not interested in common-sense interpretation of the regs, only their legalistic application.

Brad

...the atf handbook says you may preship a longgun to yourself for hunting trips.

Click to expand...

...and other legal purposes, if my memory serves correctly.

We discussed this not too long ago. A search will probably turn up the thread.

So redneck2 could ship it to his son's house for "legal purposes," such as a hunting trip. If he doesn't make it, he can write a letter, after the fact, giving the gun to his son as a bequest after some period of time.

Is there something wrong if a father gives a gun to his son if he didn't actually make the trip in person?

So redneck2 could ship it to his son's house for "legal purposes," such as a hunting trip. If he doesn't make it, he can write a letter, after the fact, giving the gun to his son as a bequest after some period of time.

Click to expand...

Legally speaking - No.

Here's the exact wording of the section that answers your question (Section B10).

A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the state where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm. (italics added - Brad)

Click to expand...

Sooo....

From a strictly legal standpoint you can ship it to yourself at your son's address as long as YOU are the one who opens the package (your son can only hold it for you). You can then gift it to your son and return home. Everything is nice and legal. However, should you try and give the same gun to your son by sending it directly to him you are committing a felony.

Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it.

Brad

p.s. - Everyone has be talking about "bequeathing" the gun. In a strictly legal sense you have to die to "bequeath" something.

so if i sent a shotgun to myself at my sones house in kansas for a hunting trip (3 weeks or 3 years away) and he opened the box...
who would be in violation?
what would be the charge?
*** would find out?
would they even care?

Through a reloading mishap (I am SO not going there!) I needed to ship my Ruger BH in .30 carbine back to Ruger for repair. I checked with my local dealer, and he said it HAD to be shipped and received by a dealer (for a fee, of course). Ruger said I could ship it myself, they would repair it and ship it back to me via UPS. I called BATF and they said it HAD to be shipped by and received by a dealer. UPS said they would be glad to ship it for me. I shipped it UPS, Ruger shipped it back to me UPS. Go figure.:banghead: :banghead:

winwun

See Section I (Gunsmith) of the regs.

In essence it says that you can legally direct-ship a gun to a gunsmith for repair as long as the gunsmith is properly licensed.

Brad