Scott W. I recently attempted to ship a shotgun back to the maker, in a Plain unmarked box. for some warrenty work thru the Postal service, The clerk asked what it was and when I told her that it was a disassembled shotgun I was told to take it to an FFL dealer that the US Postal service Will Not ship any Firearms. (The Clerk may have just been having a bad day?)
USPS regulations clearly allow ANYONE to ship a rifle or shotgun.
http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm#1198527 Print that out and take a copy next time.
Firearms other than rifles and shotguns (handguns, frames, receivers, AR lowers, SBS, SBR, etc) are not mailable except by licensed dealers and manufacturers.
I also took it to the UPS Store and was told the same thing.
This is because UPS firearms policy says no (not the law). UPS policies require shipping from a Customer Service Center and specifically says no shipping from a UPS Store or via drop box or third party retailer.
AK47TIM So it looks like the shipping part is legal but what about the transfer from seller to buyer?
You'll need to check your state law. Federal law allows you to ship a firearm to another resident of the same state as long as you have no reason to believe them to be a prohibited person.
bikemutt ...This particular office required me to sign a form stating the recipient is a licensed firearm dealer..
Was it a Form 1508 "Statement of a Shipper of Firearms"?
http://about.usps.com/forms/ps1508.pdf
If so you just committed a Federal crime
It says at the top :This form can only be used by manufacturers or dealers of firearms."
USPS Form 1508:
The undersigned is a manufacturer of firearms or bona fide dealer therein, and the parcels presented for mailing
herewith are customary trade shipments or other articles for repair or replacement of parts. To the best of my
knowledge and belief, the addresses are manufacturers of firearms or bona fide dealers therein.
Only dealers and manufacturers must use the Form 1508 and
ONLY when shipping firearms other than rifles or shotguns....its not needed by dealers or anyone else when shipping a rifle or shotgun.
You need to kick someones butt at your local post office.