I need help with shipping a firearm quick...

yes. that is the only way that shipping companies will ship a firearm. They will not pay for shipping? (Smith&Wesson pays both ways)

Justin

I bet if you call and ask, Ruger will send you a prepaid shipper.

Yes. Their corporate policy - not law - says
"You must ship your packages that contain handguns with UPS Next Day Air Early A.M.®, UPS Next Day Air®, or UPS Next Day Air Saver® services"

More at
http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/guidelines/firearms.html

You might do best to print out the page and take it with you, some clerks will try to deny you or to rip you off. Note especially the line that says:

"between persons not otherwise prohibited from shipping firearms by federal, state or local law and when such shipment complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws."

and the part out of the BATF FAQ that says:

(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

Air shipments are checked in and out at every stop which reduces theft by their own employees. It is just coincidence that they make more money off airmail.

Also, recognize that UPS vendors, such as Mailboxes Unlimited, will NOT accept a gun for shipping. You need to go to the actual UPS hub.

(Smith&Wesson pays both ways)

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Not in my experience.

That's probably only for warranty work.

Warranty work is all that I've ever had done from smith, but they've e-mailed me a shipping slip both times.

Justin

I believe FedEx will not allow you to use one of their standard shipping boxes. That is what they have told me at the hub.

Best thing to do is call around to dealers and ask what they charge for shipping. They can ship a pistol USPS which is a heck of a lot cheaper than UPS or FedEx. Some will try to rip you off, but you certainly should be able to find one (often pawn shops) who will do it for $10 - $20 over their shipping cost, which should only be $25 or so.

I have never had trouble shipping a firearm through UPS. When they ask what is in the box I say Machine parts valued at $x. However it may not be a good idea to go against their policy as it might void the warranty in any case good to know.

Jester the only problem with your method is that it is a federal crime. No big thing to you, I know. ???

Yea I must of missed that law when dealing with Ruger, I will be much more careful in the future.

Actually, rimfire, it is not against the law, BATF FAQ to the contrary, you only have to notify the carrier that you are shipping a gun to a NON FFL holder. Which is only legal if you are either shipping in the same state or to yourself at another address.

But UPS and Fedex have their own rules in excess of law, and they will hurt you if they catch you trying to beat them out of air freight profits. Not to mention the Post Office, wow.

Actually, rimfire, it is not against the law, BATF FAQ to the contrary, you only have to notify the carrier that you are shipping a gun to a NON FFL holder.

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Can you document a source for this?

Yes, but why bother?
If noticed, the carrier will screw you over and maybe you are out your gun, the BATF might well prosecute you and you are out thousands of dollars in lawywer bills to save a few bucks on shipping.

Originally posted by: Headless Thompson Gunner:
Can you document a source for this?

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If you read the Fed Code it proves that Jim is correct.

Check out 18U.S.C.922(e)

-Or, if reading comprenhension isn't one's forté...
How about a letter from the ATF...

(B7) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?[Back]

A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier? [Back]

A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

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I was interested, since I do make mistakes. A gun shipped as "machine parts" is a violation per the above reference from the FAQ section on firearms at the ATF web site. Shipment of a firearm to Ruger is legal for a non-licensee.

Edit: I see also that this was already posted. Sorry. But I didn't want to delete it. The letter didn't really clarify the issue for a non-licensee for me. I can read pretty well, but I'm no attorney.