I had an issue shipping a handgun UPS today.

[BringHomeTheBacon]

I sent out my sold Smith 686 PLUS to a chap's FFL in Hamburg, New York today in SW Oklahoma. I had a prepaid label from ShipMyGun.com operated under Budsgunshop.com. It was the 2nd Day Air class. It was $49 and change!! Rather steep for a 3.75 pound package. I had to go to the UPS Hub and it is only open from 3-7 PM, M-F. The guy said that he was trained not to accept a shipment for a handgun 2nd Day but only Overnight. I told him who the third party was that sold me the label. He then got on the telephone to call some dude at the "help center" and supposedly that guy OK'ed the 2nd day shipment. None of these carriers will take handguns ground rates, only long guns. The handgun market has to get punished by these high-price express air rates because of corporate policy, not federal law. The shipping biz must be scared to deal with handguns for some reason. They have to have some excuse to jack customers with these high handgun rates.

Except to pump money out of people, why else do they want want you to use the expensive speedy rates for handguns? FedEx operates the same way and only an FFL can even ship a handgun from a post office. People are all weird about handguns. FedEx and UPS both sock it to you on handguns. They really socked it to my buyer who paid the shipping, not I. I had to deal with the hassle burning up my time.

I did finally get the handgun shipped off to my GB buyer but this hassle added a 20 minute delay and I was the first customer in the door at 3 PM sharp. Do I by law even have to declare a handgun in a package to a carrier?

 

[Deus Machina]

Not sure about law about declaring, but I've heard it is.
Everything else has been policy for a decade or so now. They don't get enough to make it worth wringing it for the money, it's security. Apparently they've had some handguns disappear out of the system before this policy, and that's an incredible hassle with the insurance.
Not to mention that federal agencies take grim view of it.

 

[jmr40]

This has been policy for a long time. It seems that the longer a package remains in the system, the greater the odds it comes up missing (stolen by employees). And it is a lot easier for employees to steal the smaller package that a handgun is packaged in than a long gun

 

[SterlingBullet]

Both FedEx and UPS have had historical problems with firearms theft within their distribution centers. Utilizing Overnight and Second Day services funnels all handguns into generally three distribution sites; the origin sorting site, their air hubs in Tennessee and Kentucky, and the destination sorting site. Much more controllable to identify theft trends, incidents and suspect employees.

Ground services can be multiple distribution centers, multiple trucks and railroad containers as well as shipping containers that can be unattended for multiple days. It is also far easier for an employee to steal a small parcel with a single handgun than a long gun in a three to four foot long box.

Note that this information is from my own experience working in management for a national shipping company for over 30 years.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

My buddy who owns a pawnshop says he gets incoming FFL transfer handguns via USPS packed into rifle cases and shipped as long guns fairly regularly......

Not sayin to try it, but apparently it happens.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I wouldn't ship something improperly claimed as then, if there are issues, what are you going to claim is missing?

Sucks, and I think it is totally wrong that they have things stolen from their possession due to shady employees but then charge us more since they hired thieves.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I wouldn't ship something improperly claimed as then, if there are issues, what are you going to claim is missing?

Sucks, and I think it is totally wrong that they have things stolen from their possession due to shady employees but then charge us more since they hired thieves.

Ya know the Post Office won't accept anything packed in a shoe box because too many of them get stolen.

We just had $2K worth of chrome rims go missing from a shipping cage at work and the shipper is saying "Not our problem unless you can prove they were actually in there," even though they scanned the cage on pickup and delivery so the items had to go missing while it was in their possession.

 

[dcloco]

You definitely have to declare. If item is not in transit, supposed to be under lock & key while awaiting next transportation.

 

[Megawatt maker]

Just have an FFL ship the pistol for you. Yes, they will charge a fee, but unless they are trying to make a big profit from you, I think you will find its at least the same price without any hassles. An FFL can ship handguns through the USPS, while non FFLs cannot unless certain conditions are met (like going to the manufacturer for repair, but its return must still go to an FFL)...

My FFL only uses USPS because she has had way way too many firearms "lost" (ie...STOLEN) by both UPS and FedEx.

Just my experience with shipping firearms. At one time, I went through all the BS of shipping them myself (long guns)...but I find it easier to just drop off the weapons to the nice lady who has the FFL...and she even boxes them up and takes care of it fir a reasonable fee.

 

[Gun4Fun90]

Honestly I think the whole only FFL’s can ship via USPS is a strange rule…. Whether you are pro gun, anti gun or indifferent I imagine you would be against guns being stolen in shipping (or for guns being secure during shipping) and USPS is a safer option.

Whether it’s the fact that mail shipped USPS has legal protection that packages shipped with private carriers don’t have or that since USPS workers are government employees there are standards in place that aren’t necessarily required by all private employers.

I just don’t get why this rule is in place, how it got in place or who would have supported such a rule in the first place, it just baffles me.

sorry if that was a little ranty

 

[General Geoff]

An FFL can ship handguns through the USPS, while non FFLs cannot unless certain conditions are met (like going to the manufacturer for repair, but its return must still go to an FFL)...

Incorrect:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922

18 USC § 922(a)(2)(A) specifically allows for an FFL to ship a handgun back to its original owner, or a replacement of the same type.

 

[Deus Machina]

According to one of my local FFLs, and an ex mail worker, firearms get put under more security than other mail.
Now, I'm not sure if the FFL has seen or had that confirmed, or if the (low level, retired) mail carrier is current or even correct at the time, but it makes sense.

 

[BringHomeTheBacon]

I wouldn't ship something improperly claimed as then, if there are issues, what are you going to claim is missing?

Sucks, and I think it is totally wrong that they have things stolen from their possession due to shady employees but then charge us more since they hired thieves.

How do UPS/FedEx workers know there's guns in packages when they are not marked? The shipping labels have no indication it's going to a gun shop, just a person's name and an address. I wrap my gun packages in Reynolds freezer paper. Long guns often go ground. Nobody wants to steal long guns? Do packages get scanned with x-rays to see what's in them?

 

[stonebuster]

I bought a 4" barreled revolver on GB that my FFL received with only a little bit of bubble wrap taped around it/no box and a label stuck on. It made it cross country from the SW to the northeast with no damage and not stolen. I had contacted the buyer and told him I'd buy it if he paid shipping. I guess he was making a point.

 

[redneck]

I shipped a pistol (walther pk380) to smith and wesson for warranty work once. I used Fedex, paid the ridiculous shipping price, and declared it at the counter. I said "this is a pistol, I guess you need to label it or something?". She looked at me like I had 2 heads and said "You have to tell us, but we don't record or mark anything, it would be more likely to be stolen!".
So by my limited experience the only one who knows its a gun is the person at the counter I told. Anybody else would have to guess based on the shipping address and shape of the box.

 

[new57]

Write "mechanical instrument" or "mechanical tool" on insurance form. WHY say firearm? It is a mechanical tool/instrument, and everyone ships these easy and not really something catchy for thieves.

 

[BigBL87]

Write "mechanical instrument" or "mechanical tool" on insurance form. WHY say firearm? It is a mechanical tool/instrument, and everyone ships these easy and not really something catchy for thieves.

Good luck with the insurance claim if it gets lost or stolen. If you don't follow their rules re: declaring, you'll be out whatever the gun is worth. That's your risk to take, though.

I've shipped a handgun via UPS (for myself ironically, gifted by a family member out if state and wanted to get it back completely legally) and a rifle via USPS. Other than high cost, didn't run into any issues. I printed off policy for each to have on hand as well as FFL info.

Family member that dropped off the handgun said they weren't hassled at all, though their son is a supervisor for UPS so that may have helped. When I took the rifle to USPS the postmaster actually made a copy of everything I brought in and thanked me, said it's not something they run into often so it was educational for her. I ship things often enough that they recognize me, so she figured I knew my stuff, haha.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Write "mechanical instrument" or "mechanical tool" on insurance form. WHY say firearm? It is a mechanical tool/instrument, and everyone ships these easy and not really something catchy for thieves.

Also, if/when it comes up missing and you want to report it as stolen I would like to have the paperwork that I shipped it out rather than I was playing semantics if it gets found at a crime scene later.

 

[Encoreman]

I had to return a pistol to Beretta recently and they emailed me a shipping label. Days went by and UPS didn't pick it up so I called and they said a pickup hadn't been attached to that ship label. So I took it to the UPS store, I left the package in the car out front while I went in and asked them if they accepted firearms for shipment. The 2 ladies at the counter both said NO, you have to ship thru an FFL. I then said I have a shipping label from Beretta, oh then we can ship that. Really not funny that because of the shipper it makes a difference.

 

[BringHomeTheBacon]

I had to return a pistol to Beretta recently and they emailed me a shipping label. Days went by and UPS didn't pick it up so I called and they said a pickup hadn't been attached to that ship label. So I took it to the UPS store, I left the package in the car out front while I went in and asked them if they accepted firearms for shipment. The 2 ladies at the counter both said NO, you have to ship thru an FFL. I then said I have a shipping label from Beretta, oh then we can ship that. Really not funny that because of the shipper it makes a difference.

My local gun shop in Lawton, Ok will NOT provide FFL shipping services for customers. I have already asked about it. They will only ship back something I reject for damage on inspection. The women at the UPS Store should have told you that you need to ship guns from a UPS Hub (Customer Center). Half these carrier employees don't know their own "burro" from a hole in the ground. They will charge you extra money to pick up packages at your home or business.

 

[BringHomeTheBacon]

Good luck with the insurance claim if it gets lost or stolen. If you don't follow their rules re: declaring, you'll be out whatever the gun is worth. That's your risk to take, though.

I've shipped a handgun via UPS (for myself ironically, gifted by a family member out if state and wanted to get it back completely legally) and a rifle via USPS. Other than high cost, didn't run into any issues. I printed off policy for each to have on hand as well as FFL info.

Family member that dropped off the handgun said they weren't hassled at all, though their son is a supervisor for UPS so that may have helped. When I took the rifle to USPS the postmaster actually made a copy of everything I brought in and thanked me, said it's not something they run into often so it was educational for her. I ship things often enough that they recognize me, so she figured I knew my stuff, haha.

You have to print off policies to show carrier workers because they were not trained?

 

[natman]

The shipping biz must be scared to deal with handguns for some reason. Do I by law even have to declare a handgun in a package to a carrier?

The shipping companies say it's because their employees steal so many handguns that they have to be shipped by air because those packages are more closely tracked. It's been that way for years. FedEx recently announced that they will no longer do ANY firearms shipments unless it's FFL to FFL.

If you don't accurately describe the contents of the package any insurance is useless.

 

[natman]

You have to print off policies to show carrier workers because they were not trained?

Very common.

 

[BigBL87]

You have to print off policies to show carrier workers because they were not trained?

Do I have to? No. Does it save me time? For sure.

I won't claim to know every single part of my job off hand (I work in court services, so obscure things will pop up), so if I think something is obscure and not something a place normally deals with, I always try to go prepared. I'm not condescending about it or anything, just offer it up in case they have any questions. Saves them having to look up the policy if they aren't familiar with it.

Add to that the fact that it is a small town post office with like 3-4 employees maybe.

 

[Speedo66]

Seems like a self fulfilling deal, for them, if you have to pay extra for their problem, employee theft, rather than them providing a better security system.