I'm going to be graduating college soon, and I'm most likely going to inherit my father's 686 as a graduation gift. I go to school in Washington State and he lives in Texas. Does he have to mail the gun to a dealer here or can both of us just go to the dealer and do a transfer in person?
interstate transfer in person
- Thread starter Dr. Fresh
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NavyLCDR
member
Dr. Fresh,
It's not an inheritance because your father is still living. It is a gift (according to terms for firearms transactions). If it is a long gun, you should be able to do the transfer in person at either a Texas or a Washington FFL. That's the exception for out of state FFL transfers of long guns in 18 USC 922(b)(3).
If it is a handgun, the transfer must occur at a Washington FFL. That would be according to 18 USC 922(a)(3) and (a)(5). The handgun may be shipped to the Washington FFL by your father or by a Texas FFL or delivered in person to the Washington FFL. Your father must use FEDEX or UPS, but a Texas FFL could mail it via USPS.
It's not an inheritance because your father is still living. It is a gift (according to terms for firearms transactions). If it is a long gun, you should be able to do the transfer in person at either a Texas or a Washington FFL. That's the exception for out of state FFL transfers of long guns in 18 USC 922(b)(3).
If it is a handgun, the transfer must occur at a Washington FFL. That would be according to 18 USC 922(a)(3) and (a)(5). The handgun may be shipped to the Washington FFL by your father or by a Texas FFL or delivered in person to the Washington FFL. Your father must use FEDEX or UPS, but a Texas FFL could mail it via USPS.
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
member
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- Nov 14, 2007
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- 13,146
Wow, ask and you shall receive. Nice job, NavyLT!
atomemphis
Member
* Note: It matters where your Driver's License is from - That's the state where you can transfer possession of a handgun.
If you have a Texas DL, and are living in Washington, the Washington FFL is not going to transfer it to you - They'll say you are a resident of another state.
If you have a Texas DL, and are living in Washington, the Washington FFL is not going to transfer it to you - They'll say you are a resident of another state.
NavyLCDR
member
Yes and no. Residency defined in the CFR's for firearms transactions purposes is defined as presence within a state with the intention of making a home in that state. So two things are required for residency for firearms transactions - presence and intention.
Let's look at the example of a military spouse living in the state the military member is ordered to. I am stationed in Washington, both my wife and I maintain Wyoming driver's licenses. My wife, according to CFRs for firearms transactions, is a resident of Washington. She has physical presence in Washington and she intends to make Washington a home for the duration of my orders. She is not required, as a military spouse, to obtain a Washington state driver's license.
So, she cannot purchase a handgun from a dealer in Washington state, because she is not required, and also chooses not to obtain a Washington state DL or ID card. The prohibition of the purchase is only because lack of state issued ID - not residency. She can purchase any firearm in a private party transaction from a Washington resident, and can purchase long guns from Washington FFLs.
She cannot purchase a handgun from a dealer or private party, and cannot purchase a long gun from a private party in Wyoming, even though she has a Wyoming driver's license, because she does not meet the CFR requirements for residency in Wyoming - she has no intention of making Wyoming a home. I am under the same prohibition in Wyoming for the same reason. However, I can purchase any firearm I choose to, from anyone, in Washington because I can meet both the residency requirement and the ID requirement with my active duty ID card and orders to Washington.
It's basically exactly the same situation for a student attending school in a state other than their driver's license shows. The statement is correct, that a Washington FFL would not transfer the handgun to someone without a WA state ID.
leadcounsel
member
Isn't it nice that our "common sense" gun laws have deteriorated to a patch work of nonsense laws that have little to no impact on crime....
tulsamal
Member
Obviously Texas doesn't have any form of handgun registry or "Gunowner Registration Card." Does Washington? I'm just saying.... it's your Dad and the gun is staying in the family. If I was out my Dad's house and he gave me a handgun as a gift, my reaction would be to go put it in my car for the drive home rather than worrying about FFL's or various state and Federal laws.
It would be an entirely different story (in my eyes) if the transfer was between non-family members. Or if I had to register the handgun for some reason in Washington and had to account for where it came from. I know, the letter of the law isn't the same as the intent of the law. But the intent of these laws was clearly to keep people from selling handguns across state lines as a way to avoid more restrictive handgun laws in the buyer's state. Not to somehow keep a Dad from being able to give a handgun to his son without also giving some money to an FFL for his "blessing" on the whole thing!
Gregg
It would be an entirely different story (in my eyes) if the transfer was between non-family members. Or if I had to register the handgun for some reason in Washington and had to account for where it came from. I know, the letter of the law isn't the same as the intent of the law. But the intent of these laws was clearly to keep people from selling handguns across state lines as a way to avoid more restrictive handgun laws in the buyer's state. Not to somehow keep a Dad from being able to give a handgun to his son without also giving some money to an FFL for his "blessing" on the whole thing!
Gregg
NavyLCDR
member
Washington State has no registration either.
larry_minn
Member
What is funny. (ok not really) My "understanding" is that IF your father said. "This is your 686 back in 1996" (when you were still TX resident) "I am going to keep it till you graduate then you can take it with you wherever you go" IF that were the case you could take the gun home with you (because it was YOUR gun just stored at parents place) No shipping/FFL fees/etc.
Thanks all. Sorry for misusing the word "inherit." It is a gift. There's no registration or anything like that to worry about. FTF deals are legal in both states.
Nothing of course is stopping him from just handing it to me in person, but it'd be nice to keep it legal.
So NavyLT, he can deliver it in person to the WA FFL?
Nothing of course is stopping him from just handing it to me in person, but it'd be nice to keep it legal.
So NavyLT, he can deliver it in person to the WA FFL?
TexasRedneck
Member
Do as you wish - but for me, I'd hand it to my son, tell him he forgot it last time he was home, and just move on. There's no money changing hands, and no intent to do anything wrong, other than to give property to a family member.
NavyLCDR
member
Yes. The Federal law does not specify how the handgun gets to the FFL, only that it is transferred by an FFL.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
ATF regs are stickied at the main page of this forum.
Still.
Still.
Mousegun
Member
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- Dec 9, 2005
- Messages
- 738
It funny, I just asked this same question (with minor differences) to the Tennessee Firearms Association web site and got a considerably different response from the lawyer / moderator who specializes in gun law.
I don't see any exception for rifles but I may have missed it.
My friend is receiving a gifted rifle from another state and wants to go there to pick it up and make the transfer in that other state. According to this, he is not able to do that nor is he able to take it back to Tennessee and make the transfer here. The rifle has to be shipped to a licensed person or dealer here for the transfer to be made.
Here is the post and response:
No. The firearm, if it crosses state lines as part of a transfer such as a gift, must go through a licensed dealer in the state of residence of the recipient. Its stupid but that's it.
Here are parts of the ATF's reference guide that address this:
27 CFR § 478.30 Out-of-State disposition of
firearms by nonlicensees.
No nonlicensee shall transfer, sell,
trade, give, transport, or deliver any firearm
to any other nonlicensee, who the
transferor knows or has reasonable cause
to believe does not reside in (or if the person
is a corporation or other business
entity, does not maintain a place of business
in) the State in which the transferor
resides: Provided, That the provisions of
this section:
(a) shall not apply to the transfer,
transportation, or delivery of a firearm
made to carry out a bequest of a firearm
to, or any acquisition by intestate succession
of a firearm by, a person who is permitted
to acquire or possess a firearm
under the laws of the State of his residence;
and
(b) shall not apply to the loan or rental
of a firearm to any person for temporary
use for lawful sporting purposes.
Sections from ATF Publication 5300.4
(B3) May an unlicensed person
obtain a firearm from an out-of-
State source if the person arranges
to obtain the firearm through a
licensed dealer in the purchaser’s
own State?
A person not licensed under the
GCA and not prohibited from acquiring
firearms may purchase a firearm
from an out-of-State source and obtain
the firearm if an arrangement is
made with a licensed dealer in the
purchaser's State of residence for the
purchaser to obtain the firearm from
the dealer.18 U.S.C 922(a)(3) and 922(b)(3)]
(B7) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm
through the U.S. Postal Service?
A nonlicensee may not transfer a
firearm to a nonlicensed 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)]John Harris
Executive Director
Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc.
Attorney
I don't see any exception for rifles but I may have missed it.
My friend is receiving a gifted rifle from another state and wants to go there to pick it up and make the transfer in that other state. According to this, he is not able to do that nor is he able to take it back to Tennessee and make the transfer here. The rifle has to be shipped to a licensed person or dealer here for the transfer to be made.
Here is the post and response:
No. The firearm, if it crosses state lines as part of a transfer such as a gift, must go through a licensed dealer in the state of residence of the recipient. Its stupid but that's it.
Here are parts of the ATF's reference guide that address this:
27 CFR § 478.30 Out-of-State disposition of
firearms by nonlicensees.
No nonlicensee shall transfer, sell,
trade, give, transport, or deliver any firearm
to any other nonlicensee, who the
transferor knows or has reasonable cause
to believe does not reside in (or if the person
is a corporation or other business
entity, does not maintain a place of business
in) the State in which the transferor
resides: Provided, That the provisions of
this section:
(a) shall not apply to the transfer,
transportation, or delivery of a firearm
made to carry out a bequest of a firearm
to, or any acquisition by intestate succession
of a firearm by, a person who is permitted
to acquire or possess a firearm
under the laws of the State of his residence;
and
(b) shall not apply to the loan or rental
of a firearm to any person for temporary
use for lawful sporting purposes.
Sections from ATF Publication 5300.4
(B3) May an unlicensed person
obtain a firearm from an out-of-
State source if the person arranges
to obtain the firearm through a
licensed dealer in the purchaser’s
own State?
A person not licensed under the
GCA and not prohibited from acquiring
firearms may purchase a firearm
from an out-of-State source and obtain
the firearm if an arrangement is
made with a licensed dealer in the
purchaser's State of residence for the
purchaser to obtain the firearm from
the dealer.18 U.S.C 922(a)(3) and 922(b)(3)]
(B7) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm
through the U.S. Postal Service?
A nonlicensee may not transfer a
firearm to a nonlicensed 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)]John Harris
Executive Director
Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc.
Attorney
larry_minn
Member
It funny, I just asked this same question (with minor differences) to the Tennessee Firearms Association web site and got a considerably different response from the lawyer / moderator who specializes in gun law.
I don't see any exception for rifles but I may have missed it.
My friend is receiving a gifted rifle from another state and wants to go there to pick it up and make the transfer in that other state. According to this, he is not able to do that nor is he able to take it back to Tennessee and make the transfer here. The rifle has to be shipped to a licensed person or dealer here for the transfer to be made.
Here is the post and response:
THAT (underlined part if it worked) is what I "think" is the important change. My"understanding" is the OP's FATHER (owner of gun) is going to BE in Washington State. HE "my understanding" is can bring gun into a ffl there for transfer. If you look over law (ok I skimmed) it appears the son couldn't bring it there.
Kinda like one of my first guns. I "bought" it in North Dakota (figured I put ND folks claim it must be AD and I should keep my finger off trigger)
Anyway I was 2 miles from border. The store had a MN branch 5 miles (max) away. So I buy gun. They HIRE a Taxi to drive my gun to MN store. So its legal to hand gun to sit in random taxi but not to give it to buyer who went thru background check? Like many laws they are stupid. I had to bring it back and MN store (rightly said) "take it back to ND store"
I don't see any exception for rifles but I may have missed it.
My friend is receiving a gifted rifle from another state and wants to go there to pick it up and make the transfer in that other state. According to this, he is not able to do that nor is he able to take it back to Tennessee and make the transfer here. The rifle has to be shipped to a licensed person or dealer here for the transfer to be made.
Here is the post and response:
THAT (underlined part if it worked) is what I "think" is the important change. My"understanding" is the OP's FATHER (owner of gun) is going to BE in Washington State. HE "my understanding" is can bring gun into a ffl there for transfer. If you look over law (ok I skimmed) it appears the son couldn't bring it there.
Kinda like one of my first guns. I "bought" it in North Dakota (figured I put ND folks claim it must be AD and I should keep my finger off trigger)
Anyway I was 2 miles from border. The store had a MN branch 5 miles (max) away. So I buy gun. They HIRE a Taxi to drive my gun to MN store. So its legal to hand gun to sit in random taxi but not to give it to buyer who went thru background check? Like many laws they are stupid. I had to bring it back and MN store (rightly said) "take it back to ND store"
NavyLCDR
member
Mousegun,
Notice that 27 CFR § 478.30 Out-of-State disposition of
firearms by nonlicensees applies to transactions between two non-licensees, IE Private Parties. 27 CFR 478.30 does not apply to any transaction involving an FFL.
ATF FAQ B3 is not stating anything about what is prohibited. It is only explaining one method of accomplishing an out of state purchase. Oddly enough the FAQ references 18 USC 922(b)(3), but does not include the out of state transfer of long guns by FFLs exception that is part of 18 USC 922(b)(3).
ATF FAQ B7 again has nothing to do with FFL transfers. FAQ B7 regards the use of the US Postal Service to mail firearms by non-licensees and nothing else.
Notice that 27 CFR § 478.30 Out-of-State disposition of
firearms by nonlicensees applies to transactions between two non-licensees, IE Private Parties. 27 CFR 478.30 does not apply to any transaction involving an FFL.
ATF FAQ B3 is not stating anything about what is prohibited. It is only explaining one method of accomplishing an out of state purchase. Oddly enough the FAQ references 18 USC 922(b)(3), but does not include the out of state transfer of long guns by FFLs exception that is part of 18 USC 922(b)(3).
ATF FAQ B7 again has nothing to do with FFL transfers. FAQ B7 regards the use of the US Postal Service to mail firearms by non-licensees and nothing else.
Larry_minn, you are correct. My father will be in my state for graduation ceremonies. My main question was whether or not we could go to a dealer here and do the transfer in person, or would he have to mail the revolver to the dealer.
Seems like we can do it in person.
Seems like we can do it in person.
Texas has no gun registration and if Washington doesn't either what is the big deal. It's perfectly legal for individuals to sell or give guns to each other without any paper work. Am I missing something? You seem to be trying to make this into something complicated. Take the gun and tell him thanks.
NavyLCDR
member
Yes, you are missing something in that a Texas resident giving or selling a firearm to a Washington resident is the commission of two felonies. While the chances of getting caught are next to none, some people would rather not commit felonies if they can help it. The buyer/recipient commits a felony against 18 USC 922 (a)(3) and the seller/giftor commits a felony against 18 USC 922 (a)(5).
Dr. Fresh,
Be advised, you will probably have to observe the 5 day waiting period in Washington for a handgun if you choose to use a Washington FFL and do not have a Washington CPL. The FFL will hold the gun for you during the waiting period.
Mousegun
Member
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2005
- Messages
- 738
I did some further research on the topic and found that Navy LT was spot on correct in his explanation of the laws of transfer.
It appears that the lawyer, who is well respected, may have misunderstood my first scenario and further correspondence with him cleared up the matter.
You can go the the state that the rifle will be gifted from and have a licensed FFL make the transfer (background check) there as long as the rifle is legal in both the state it is gifted in and the state that it is going to.
It appears that the lawyer, who is well respected, may have misunderstood my first scenario and further correspondence with him cleared up the matter.
You can go the the state that the rifle will be gifted from and have a licensed FFL make the transfer (background check) there as long as the rifle is legal in both the state it is gifted in and the state that it is going to.
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