Heya, folks. I was curious about available options for transporting a gun, as I'm moving and don't own a car. Shipping it is too much of a hassle and I don't intend to fly. Are there any train/bus companies in the US that allow transport of firearms in a locked hardcase? (Some airlines allow that in checked baggage) Thanks for your time!
Gun transport question
- Thread starter WaltonS
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gunsmith
member
you are asking an impossible question
welcome to thr.
for anyone to answer that we would need to know a lot more, please use the search function and specify , what where who how when and everything else pertinent to the question.
what you are asking is like asking "what is the weather like in the USA" without specifying Alaska or Florida
welcome to thr.
for anyone to answer that we would need to know a lot more, please use the search function and specify , what where who how when and everything else pertinent to the question.
what you are asking is like asking "what is the weather like in the USA" without specifying Alaska or Florida
mmm, well, I'm moving out of state, and all the guns are perfectly legal (there's two rifles; I'm willing to leave one here to a trusted friend, though) and the one I'm interested in taking is a Woodsmaster 742 (don't quote me on that) chambered in .30-06. I plan on moving from Indiana to Texas. Don't want to fly and I don't want to ship it/pay a courier (or whatever you wanna call 'em). I know Amtrak and Greyhound won't handle firearms, so I want to know my options.
And thanks for the welcome, Gunsmith (and it's okay if you're not a real gunsmith)
And thanks for the welcome, Gunsmith (and it's okay if you're not a real gunsmith)
AirForceShooter
Member
How are you getting to Texas?
AFS
AFS
Regolith
Member
I think you've effectively ruled out all of your options. If the train won't accept it in luggage, and you won't be driving, you'll have to ship it via a carrier like FedEx or UPS. I believe you can ship it to yourself, but you have to let the carrier know what your shipping.
If you DO fly, most airlines will let you take a gun along with you, but it has to be in a locked hard case and you have to inform the airline ahead of time (check with the airline to find out their procedures for taking a gun wtih you).
I can't think of any other way to get it there.
If you DO fly, most airlines will let you take a gun along with you, but it has to be in a locked hard case and you have to inform the airline ahead of time (check with the airline to find out their procedures for taking a gun wtih you).
I can't think of any other way to get it there.
Regolith
Member
Here's what the ATF has to say about it:
So yeah, you can ship it to yourself, but not to anyone else.
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b7
So yeah, you can ship it to yourself, but not to anyone else.
gunsmith
member
I took Amtrak recently
and I took my handgun with me, I did the same on greyhound a few years ago.
Nobody asked & I told no one...except for millions of anons on the interweb!
and I took my handgun with me, I did the same on greyhound a few years ago.
Nobody asked & I told no one...except for millions of anons on the interweb!
my understanding is:
it is not legal (or at least against their rules) to transport a gun in baggage on an interstate bus or train. it is legal to ship it with the bus company as a common carrier shipper. whether they will accept it for shipment is something else.
airlines (maybe not all) allow guns to be transported as checked baggage.
it is generally legal to ship a firearm to yourself across state lines by common carrier.
with a few exceptions, most states allow you to transport an unloaded and encased firearm through their state.
the details are left for you to research.
it is not legal (or at least against their rules) to transport a gun in baggage on an interstate bus or train. it is legal to ship it with the bus company as a common carrier shipper. whether they will accept it for shipment is something else.
airlines (maybe not all) allow guns to be transported as checked baggage.
it is generally legal to ship a firearm to yourself across state lines by common carrier.
with a few exceptions, most states allow you to transport an unloaded and encased firearm through their state.
the details are left for you to research.
Gator
Member
You can use the mail for long guns, just address it to yourself. It is easy and fairly inexpensive.
Regolith
Member
Not quite. You can't ship it through USPS. You have to use a non-governmental entity, such as UPS or FedEx.
Gator
Member
Long guns can be mailed, handguns must go UPS or FedEx.
"May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?
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."
http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b7
"May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?
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."
http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b7
DoubleTapDrew
Member
You are soooo lucky your gun didn't decide to go on a shooting rampage and kill everyone (starting with TEH CHILDRENS!!!) before derailing the train!
Here's the TSA regs for flying with guns: Click Here
No guns or ammo in carry-on bags unless you want the TSA tactical mall ninja assault team to prone you out in the terminal. It's gotta be declared and checked.
Mojo-jo-jo
Member
Amtrak - No. All firearms are prohibited. See http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conte...ename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Hot_Deals_Page&c=am2Copy
Bus companies - You're out of luck as well. http://www.greyhound.com/travel_information/Greyhound Prohibited Items List.pdf
Some people will tell you to check it and don't tell. Be advised that you may be setting yourself up for a felony conviction if discovered. I can't say for sure about federal law regarding this, but I do know that several states have laws against firearms on carrier-operated vehicles, whether checked or carried. Most of the penalties are excessively severe (up to 10 years imprisonment and $10,000 fine in my state).
All major airlines will check firearms, both long guns and handguns. Review the TSA regulations, as well as the individual airline's baggage policy for particulars on how. It varies by carrier.
You can mail the long gun to yourself USPS. Should not be any problem. It MUST be declared and some paperwork filed--this is federal law. You can not mail handguns unless you are a FFL or gov't agency.
The handgun may be a problem. UPS and FEDEX will (by company policy) only ship either to or from an FFL (either sender or receiver must be FFL). You must also declare the firearm (federal law) and use overnight service (shipper policy). I suppose if the clerk doesn't catch that the firearm not being shipped to an FFL, you're OK. If not, you may have to arrange with a FFL near your destination to receive it for you.
Hope this helps.
Bus companies - You're out of luck as well. http://www.greyhound.com/travel_information/Greyhound Prohibited Items List.pdf
Some people will tell you to check it and don't tell. Be advised that you may be setting yourself up for a felony conviction if discovered. I can't say for sure about federal law regarding this, but I do know that several states have laws against firearms on carrier-operated vehicles, whether checked or carried. Most of the penalties are excessively severe (up to 10 years imprisonment and $10,000 fine in my state).
All major airlines will check firearms, both long guns and handguns. Review the TSA regulations, as well as the individual airline's baggage policy for particulars on how. It varies by carrier.
You can mail the long gun to yourself USPS. Should not be any problem. It MUST be declared and some paperwork filed--this is federal law. You can not mail handguns unless you are a FFL or gov't agency.
The handgun may be a problem. UPS and FEDEX will (by company policy) only ship either to or from an FFL (either sender or receiver must be FFL). You must also declare the firearm (federal law) and use overnight service (shipper policy). I suppose if the clerk doesn't catch that the firearm not being shipped to an FFL, you're OK. If not, you may have to arrange with a FFL near your destination to receive it for you.
Hope this helps.
Gator
Member
Please cite the source for the paperwork requirement, I am unaware of any requirement for individuals. Perhaps you are thinking of Form 1508, which is for manufacturers and dealers only.
Also,
When shipping UPS or FedEx you must declare the contents only if shipping to someone other than an FFL. FedEx and UPS do want to know, but that is their policy, not federal law.
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Mojo-jo-jo
Member
USPS Regulation 432.1(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."
Yes, I know it says "or." The point is that you will have to declare it as a firearm if you have to show that it is unloaded. I simply can't see the postal service accepting a package that contains a firearm without certification that it is unloaded.
The OP will be shipping to himself. Unless he is an FFL (obviously not the case), he will have to declare as indicated in the letter you posted above.
When shipping to an FFL you are not required by law to declare. However, be advised that if your firearm is lost/stolen/damaged insurance will not pay one penny if it was not declared and shipped in full accordance with the shipper's policies.
In my experience (I've tried this), Neither UPS nor FEDEX would ship my weapon to me, at my home address, unless I could provide proof that I was an FFL.
Gator
Member
The restrictions in 431.2b and c bit is about Form 1058 which is for FFLs. Individual Postmasters might ask for a written declaration that the gun is unloaded (I've never had them ask in dozens of shipments) but that is up to each Postmaster, there is no federal requirement.
I agree the OP would have to declare in this case, I just wanted to point out that it it not a federal law in all cases.
Also for the OP, FedEx will not let you send long guns to yourself, but UPS will if you dont want to use the Post Office. The trouble come when the UPS clerk you talk to doesn't know UPS rules. I always take a copy of the UPS shipping guidelines for firearms with me when I ship UPS.
I agree the OP would have to declare in this case, I just wanted to point out that it it not a federal law in all cases.
Also for the OP, FedEx will not let you send long guns to yourself, but UPS will if you dont want to use the Post Office. The trouble come when the UPS clerk you talk to doesn't know UPS rules. I always take a copy of the UPS shipping guidelines for firearms with me when I ship UPS.
Slugless
Member
Just before Thanksgiving I mailed (USPS) a long gun.
I wrote a letter to the Postmaster "certifying" that the rifle was unloaded. I never needed it but it would have been a PITA to have to go back home & write such a letter.
Basically in the letter I quoted the USPS regulations and stated that I complied with each one. I took a copy of the Postal Regs (+1 Gator).
What actually happened is that I informed them I was mailing a long gun. The lady on the floor asked me if it was unloaded. Then at the counter a supervisor came out and asked me if the rifle was disassembled. I responded "I disassembled it to unload it" (Nylon 66 w/tube magazine). They asked a little later: "It is disassembled, right?" I gave a curt little nod of my head.
Disassembled is not in the regs and I did not want to argue the point with them.
Otherwise no problem except for finding a box that fit the rifle that didn't meet their "oversized" criteria where you have to pay more money.
I wrote a letter to the Postmaster "certifying" that the rifle was unloaded. I never needed it but it would have been a PITA to have to go back home & write such a letter.
Basically in the letter I quoted the USPS regulations and stated that I complied with each one. I took a copy of the Postal Regs (+1 Gator).
What actually happened is that I informed them I was mailing a long gun. The lady on the floor asked me if it was unloaded. Then at the counter a supervisor came out and asked me if the rifle was disassembled. I responded "I disassembled it to unload it" (Nylon 66 w/tube magazine). They asked a little later: "It is disassembled, right?" I gave a curt little nod of my head.
Disassembled is not in the regs and I did not want to argue the point with them.
Otherwise no problem except for finding a box that fit the rifle that didn't meet their "oversized" criteria where you have to pay more money.
Slugless
Member
Oh - Walton?
Welcome to Texas!
Plan on getting a license - you life will be much more pleasant with a car
Welcome to Texas!
Plan on getting a license - you life will be much more pleasant with a car
Thanks, Slugless, but I ain't moving until maybe January. And the problem with getting a license is that I've never really "practiced" enough to pass the test, and you need your own vehicle to do so, not to mention someone to drive with you if you've only got a permit. So, yeah. I don't have too many options there.
Also, in case you were wondering, I'm headed to Abilene.
Also, in case you were wondering, I'm headed to Abilene.
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