Mailing Handgun? need advise. Houston, Texas

[alex9328]

Help. I am guy that needs help regarding delivering a handgun to an FFL dealer.

I am considering sell some of my extra handguns and rifles, but I am not a dealer. I would be sell them on one of the Auction Site. and would like to stay within the law.

I know I have to send weapon to a FFL holder/dealer, but can I mail the handgun to the Dealer via Overnight U.S Postal Service, and will the Post Office give me a hard time or what should I be prepare for.

Again, here the senario. Auction gun, ask winner to provide an FFL, I would contact FFL to verify if valid, Post Office ?

Any comments anyone.

Thanks, Alex Longoria

 

[RNB65]

Mail handgun via USPS = go to prison.

Must by sent by UPS or FedEX next day air.

 

[alex9328]

Is it the same for long guns? Do I have to go thru FFL dealer to send guns

 

[halfacop]

Any shipper who does not have a Federal Firearms License (FFL) is considered to be an 'unlicensed person'. This section contains information on how unlicensed persons can ship firearms. If you have an FFL, please skip to the next section for shipping suggestions.
The most important thing to know is that you must only ship guns to a licensed dealer. If the buyer is not a licensed dealer, he will have to make arrangements with a dealer in his state to ship the item to.

Before you ship a gun, the buyer must fax or mail you a copy of the dealer's signed FFL license. You can only ship the gun to the address on the license. You must inform the carrier that the package contains a firearm. Of course, the firearm cannot be shipped loaded; ammunition may not be shipped in the same box. You should take the copy of the signed FFL with you when you take the item to be shipped in case the shipper wishes to see it.

Notes on specific shippers:

US Mail: An unlicensed person can ship a rifle or shotgun by US Mail. Unlicensed persons cannot ship a handgun by US Mail. Postal regulations allow the Post Office to open your package for inspection. Ammunition cannot be shipped by US Mail. You can search the US Post Offer Postal Explorer site for specific USPS regulations regarding firearms and ammunition.

FedEx: FedEx will only ship firearms via their Priority Overnight service. Ammunition must be shipped as dangerous goods.

UPS: UPS will accept handgun shipments by Next Day Air only. Rifles and shotguns can be shipped by UPS ground service. UPS will accept shipments of ammunition. UPS does not allow shipment of firearms FROM an unlicensed person (even to an FFL), unless the stated reason for the firearm shipment is for repair or modifications.

Most other shippers will no longer accept firearm shipments. Airborne and Roadway have specifically prohibited firearm shipments.

FedEx is your best bet. Its got to be overnighted to an FFL - Any other questions feel free to ask!

 

[alex9328]

Thanks, I did not know that, Good to know and keep safe. I think I will look for a local sale, gunshow and save on shipping of item.

 

[Jim K]

If you have a local dealer, talk to him about consignment sales. The way it works is that you let him sell the gun for you. You work with him to set the amount you want, he sells it for whatever he can get and keeps the difference.

If you have good relations with the dealer, you can pretty easily reach a mutually agreeable figure, but you have to bear in mind that you can't get the "Blue Book" retail price. He can't sell a gun for you that you have priced higher than the price of identical guns in his showcase.

Don't sell to the dealer, though, unless it is a panic sale (IRS is knocking at the door). Most dealers will not give you enough for your gun on a straight sale.

Private sales are fine, if legal in your area. Just make sure you get the buyer's ID information just in case there are ever any questions about any subsequent use of the gun.

Jim

 

[alex9328]

Thanks Jim, I thought about ask the guy I get my FFlL from when i buy a gun over the net. I was follow the rule regarding get an FFL. to seller A.S.A.P and keep everthing above board.

In Texas we can sell firearms to individuals. I go one step further and prepare a bill of sale and confirm with valid Tx ID of the person I am sell to and he views my ID to. I like to write his info on the bill of sales and I keep a copy for my records.