Is it abnormal for a FFL to open your package?

[v3r71g0]

Say you bought a gun online or had one shipped to a FFL. Is it standard practice to open the package before you get there and fill out the forms?

What would you say to something like that?

 

[Rustynuts]

Not normal, but maybe their procedure? Mine always let's me open and then they check the gun for the proper serial number, etc.,for the form.

 

[john44402]

The FFL I use either has me open it, or she does while I'm there.

 

[Soybomb]

I've never had them not open it. I was under the impression that FFL's had to log received weapons in their bound book within a set amount of time after getting them.

 

[scrat]

its going to vary from gun shop to gun shop.

 

[ftierson]

The FFL has to enter firearm info, including the serial number, into his bound book...

It would be incredibly stupid for the FFL to fail to check the invoiced SN against the one actually on the firearm. Sometimes the invoice doesn't even include SN information.

In addition, the info has to be entered into the bound book with no delay, like the day that it is received...

So there's no need to read anything sinister into the FFL's opening of your parcel...

Forrest

 

[VARifleman]

They have to log it that day, if you're going to show up that day, you can request they wait for you, but if it's not going to be the day it arrives, expect it to be an open package.

 

[Rmart30]

FFL has to either have you open it or them. Most transfers have a piece of paperwork in it for the FFL doing the registering and they have to record the s/n of the firearm.

 

[Flash!]

I expect them to open it..... they have to verify the accuracy of the serial number and model before they do the transfer.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I have received firearms purchased elsewhere through four different FFLs that I can think of immediately. In every case the FFL had opened the package upon its arrival so he could enter the gun into his bound book.

I would not expect anything else. He is required to enter it in his book. How can he do that without opening the package to see what's inside?

 

[Bubbles]

When we receive a transfer firearm we open the package at the end of the day to log it into the bound book, or sooner if the purchaser shows up during business hours that day.

In one instance we had a customer beat the UPS driver. He really wanted his gun.

 

[220_Swift]

My FFL always opens it as soon as it shows up. He enters it into his bound book ASAP. And he alwyas goes by the SN on the gun, never the paperwork. He verifies it on the paperwork, but doesn't trust someone elses typing. And I certainly do not have a problem with him doing it.

 

[retgarr]

My ffl always opens it and checks the invoice against the serial number on the firearm.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Yes, like most, my FFL always opens it up before I see it. I assume he is entering the correct sn into his bound book like many have said. It has never been an issue for me.

 

[Telperion]

The FFL is required to log all incoming shipments. See CFR 478.125 (e): "...The purchase or other acquisition of a firearm shall, except as provided in paragraph (g) of this section (not applicable here), be recorded not later than the close of the next business day following the date of such purchase or acquisition ..."

 

[hotpig]

The only reason that some of us do not open the package is liability. Nothing is worse than doing a 10.00 transfer and receiving damaged goods and getting the blame for it.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Every new gun that I've bought was opened in front of me, but never BY me. Gun store, gun show, bought from stock, ordered in, didn't matter.

 

[Zedo]

The parcel is sent to the FFL -- for you. Legally it's their package.

 

[Dan0076]

I've had an FFL open my box once because the outside did not have my name on it. They opened it to see who it was for. It was all there, so I had not gripes.

 

[Aran]

When I had my AR-15 lower receiver delivered, my FFL only gave me the receiver and the invoice from the shipper, none of its packaging. He also said I made a good choice with Stag Arms.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

When I had my FFL, I would open every gun package and make sure that the serial number on the gun matched the invoice and inspect the shipment for damage. I would then log it into my bound book.

Nobody ever asked me why I opened a package without them being there.

Also, I would make sure that all the parts and accessories were with the gun. About the only thing that I would find missing were choke tubes for shotguns.

 

[Josh Aston]

Every gun I've had shipped was handed to me by the dealer sans any kind of packaging, so they had to have opened it.

 

[freakshow10mm]

It is not ready to be picked up until I log the gun in my books. I open and handle my business, then I notify the customer that it's all ready to pick up.

 

[hobgob]

All the guns I've had transfered were all out of the package when I picked them up. I never thought much of it.

 

[mad hungarian]

My ffl never opens the packages. His policy is you ordered it so get to shop in timely manner and he takes it from there. The only time he opened a package was last year, ATF was doing yearly audit of his shop and the books. He called me to say a rifle i ordered came in and was apologetic about having to open the box it came in.