Can I mail a rifle?

[Sisco]

Old topic but I'll bring it up again.
Here's the deal: out of state private party sale. Can the seller take the rifle to the post office and have it sent to an FFL? It's my understanding that he can.
I called my local post office, they seem to think the package can only be shipped from FFL to FFL and only overnight.
I called the USPS 800 number, the customer service rep thought I could but said she needed to give me another number so I could check for sure. The "other number" she gave me was my local post office!
Told her I thought they might be a little clueless and that's why I called the 800 number but she insisted that my local yokels were the only ones who could properly answer the question.

 

[EOD Guy]

It is perfectly legal for you to mail a rifle to an FFL. Look up the Domestic Mail Manual on the USPS web site and go to Section C024. That's where you will find the information on mailing firearms.

 

[Sisco]

Already looked that up, I'm not a laywer and haven't stayed in a Holiday Inn for some time but it appears to me it's OK to mail it.

CO24:
d. Unloaded rifles and shotguns may be mailed if the mailer fully complies
with the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-618) and 18 U.S.C.
921. The mailer may be required to establish, by opening the parcel or
by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not excluded from
mailing because of the restrictions in 431.2b and c.

The ATF says:
B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U. S. Postal Service?

A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. A nonlicensee may not transfer any firearm to a nonlicensed resident of another state. The Postal Service recommends that longguns 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.
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b1

 

[Sisco]

I guess the only remaining question is, does it have to go overnight or can it go parcal post? Clueless folks at the post office still can't answer that one!

Then there's this:
(B10) May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity? [Back]

Yes. 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.

Hmmm. Sorta gives one an Idea, huh?