FedEX clerk “we don’t ship guns”

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BruM

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The FedEX clerks immediate response when, as the law requires, I told her the package contained a gun was to say we don’t ship guns.

Yes you do I replied then I shut up while she considered her next response. At that point she acquiesced and started the process. Strangely I didn’t have to refer her to the FedEx website rules. She seemed to calm down a bit when she learned it was going back to the factory. Perhaps there was some information on he terminal that I couldn’t see.

She then said that they are “programmed” to say they don’t ship guns. It sounded to me like she was personally programmed to not like guns.

I though the folks here should know not to take no for an answer and read the shippers special regulations for shipping guns before going to the FedEx store.
 
Did you report her behavior to her superiors? Sounds like a day of training is in order. Quite possibly for more than just the clerk, if her response to you was more than her personal agenda.
 
Probably a relatively new employee that just didn't know their policy. Then again, maybe not!
 
Did you report her behavior to her superiors? Sounds like a day of training is in order. Quite possibly for more than just the clerk, if her response to you was more than her personal agenda.
Click to expand...

why, hello thar!
 
Yes, you better identify the contents when you ship a gun.

If you choose to ship by that carrier, you are absolutely obligated to follow their rules.
Identify the contents, or you will be the one doing wrong.



Question:
Why does FedEx ship guns?
Answer:
Because there is money to be made!
Yes, FedEx wants to ship guns, because they make profit doing it.

For that reason, always report to a supervisor when a clerk tries to refuse a firearm shipment. Go to their web site and read the supplemental requirements, and follow them to a tee! Then politely report any clerk who tries to do otherwise.
 
Actually, if it is a FedEx store they may not take guns. According to FedEx only certain locations (FedEx Staffed, no affiliate locations) can accept firearms for shipment.

Just to clarify, I have shipped with these clowns many time... not because I wanted to, but because they are the only game in town.
 
Thats funny I had some <guy> at the UPS "store" pull that line on me about not shipping guns. "Is that a shotgun!?! OMG!" He refused to ship it. Didn't have any trouble at FedEx, they were happy to ship it. UPS lost a customer with that little stunt.
 
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AFAIK, you can only ship firearms at a FedEx hub.. no storefronts will accept these shipments..
 
UPS Store is not the same as a UPS shipping location or hub. They actually do not accept guns for shipment, you need to go to one of the other two types.
 
Does it seem like a thread like this (ie, complaining about UPS or Fed Ex) pops up about once a week?
 
I've shipped many guns that I've sold on gunbroker over the years through FedEx and never had a problem.

However I did take a rifle to an actual UPS shipping center (not the store) and the clerk there refused to ship my gun. I told him it was going to an FFL and gave him a valid copy of their license. He said that unless I had an FFL I couldn't ship a gun. I asked to speak to the manager of that location and when I did he told me the same thing. He said that it was their "local policy" that they only ship firearms dealer to dealer, he suggested taking the gun to FedEx. So I took the gun to FedEx and had no problem, this was a few years ago and ever since then I only use FedEx for shipping firearms.
 
This is why I don't tell 'em that I'm shipping a gun.

That ain't right.
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Why not?

I'm not violating any federal law, so what's "not right" about it ?

I am merely taking steps towards protecting the package from theft, as some folks have sticky fingers when they know a gun is in the box. Avoiding the ignorant clerk BS is another bonus.
 
EDIT: I am wrong and so is the ATF FAQ. I stand corrected.

You are obligated under federal law to inform the carrier of the package contents. So you are breaking the law.

Q: 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]
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http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/unlicensed-persons.html#shipping-firearms-carrier
 
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I'm not violating any federal law, so what's "not right" about it ?
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I didn't say illegal there is a difference. Just cause you don't break a law doen't mean you are doing something the right way. You guys think the law is all there is. There are rules, ethics, and morals. Alot of us supposed good citizens and model gun owners don't seem to have much of any of the last two. Violating company policy because you want to do what you want ain't right. I am finding it very disturbing the amount of model gun owners and supposed RKBA caring people that have such low moral or ethical standards. Not directed at the poster but this whole board in general. By the way it is against Federal Law.
 
I have used a private family owned Shipping store that is Pro Gun and works with our local gun shop. I ship guns FEDEX all the time with them and have had no issues. :D
 
FedEx WILL ship guns that you don't tell them about, they just won't insure them (how are you going to file a lost claim when you didn't comply with the rules?). However, I have found that FedEx doesn't ASK what's in the box on next day or second day shipping forms...at least in my area...there is no box on the shipping form for "contents". I just have to declare "less than $500, usually "$485" on handguns. It's a loophole, kind of "don't ask, don't tell".
 
As others have said, unless it is an actual FedEx shipping office local rules can and do apply in some cases.

FedEx itself has no issue with shipping firearms but your local Mom+Pop shop with a concession can conceivably say no.
 
Originally posted by almostfree:
You are obligated under federal law to inform the carrier of the package contents. So you are breaking the law.

Q: 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]
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Read the federal code, not an FAQ, and then get back to us...

Originally posted by The Real Mags:
By the way it is against Federal Law.
Click to expand...

It is not required by law, if you are shipping to an FFL.



the_more_you_know.jpg
 
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When shipping long-guns just do it through the U.S. Postal Service. They have no problems with it, & are generally cheaper & faster than FedEx or UPS ground service.
 
Here are the Fed Ex rules on firearms shipment:

http://www.fedex.com/us/freight/rulestariff/prohibited_articles.html

The law aside, the rules are part of the contract between the carrier and the customer; if the customer does not notify the carrier, or lies about the contents, the carrier can file suit against the customer for breach of contract. (No, I don't know if it has been done, but it could be.)

Jim
 
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