No one will ship my gun!

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SeanSw

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The firing pin on my Taurus 96 broke off and I would like to ship it back for warranty repair work. I've called every carrier in town and neither UPS nor FedEx will accept the pistol for shipping even though I pointed out in their own policies that it was acceptable. Even if you try to play by their rules they still won't have any of it. Not even when they could be extorting you for their overnight shipping fees.

I thought that at least one of them would be helpful but I'll have to arrange something through my FFL, and who knows what they might charge for the service. What a hassle. Can I blame this on Illinois, or is it a similar hassle elsewhere?
 
It's a hassle everywhere.

That's why I let the dealer I bought it from handle returns. They can use the Post Office and it's a great deal cheaper.

John
 
I live in the infamous, gun-hating state of CA, and I've never had trouble getting a firearm out. Of course, that was only twice.

CZ-USA replaced my 97B that had a crack in the frame with the utmost quickness. I was totally happy with their CS. No problems shipping.

Magnum Research fixed the ejector rod/ e r housing that flew off my .500 BFR when I was shooting. I was pissed though, because the ANCIENT old bastard that I spoke with accused me of breaking the gun:mad: ; like it wouldn't have happened through routine fire. He didn't even completely understand what I was telling him, regarding the break. He just seemed convinced that those beefy BFRs wouldn't just come apart during fire. BUT, no problems shipping.

Perhaps it's an Illinois thing, though I'd bet that it's just the clerks that you are speaking with. I'd call a few local gun shops and get a definitive answer.
 
That's BS.

Just print their regs off their own webpage, and show up. Have corporate's number on hand in your cell if they give you any further grief.

UPS and FedEx rules are that a handgun has to go tracked next-day air, and by GCA '68 rules, the recpient has to be an FFL, (the mfg, obviously qualifies) or shipping to yourself. That's it.

Also, make sure you talked to an actual company depot, not the "stores" in the strip malls. The "UPS Store" and "Kinko's/FedEx" centers are separate franchisees with different rules and they don't accept guns or hazmat, even though the carrier itself does.

The other thing you could do is see if you could pay Tarus to print off a pre-made airbill label for UPS or FedEx on their account and mail it to you. That way it's already "in the system" they just scan it and throw it on the belt without questions.
 
Yes, you can blame it on IL. Even if it's FedEx and UPS being mental midgets, you can still blame it on IL.
 
Also, make sure you talked to an actual company depot, not the "stores" in the strip malls. The "UPS Store" and "Kinko's/FedEx" centers are separate franchisees with different rules and they don't accept guns or hazmat, even though the carrier itself does.
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I didn't know that. You've probably identified the problem.
 
I'm confused here. Why does the minimum wage employee at the counter need to know what is in the box? I have NEVER been asked what I am shipping. I show up with a box taped shut, they weigh it, ask for the address, I tell them to ship it overnight and they do it. Why are you telling them it's a gun?
 
I thought about just showing up with a pistol in a large box and having it shipped with an erroneous label, but it IS a federal offense and that scares me off. Feigning ignorance probably wouldn't work well for me in court should something happen. Some of the places I called were shipping service centers. One of them has always given me good service, although they would recognize me immediately as the guy who ships weapons routinely and a "fake" package could draw attention.

The depot is a possibilty but it sure is a ways out there. The FFL dealer I use in the next town over is a quicker drive.

Crowbardog: I'm not surprised to hear that getting guns out of California is n't that difficult. It has to be easier than getting them in!
 
Is it a federal regulation to tell them, or to just ship it properly? If I am not aware of the regs, then I apologize. When I shipped my gun to S&W for service, the sent me a prepaid label, I slapped it on the box, took it to the FedEx store, and dropped it off. S&W didn't tell me I had to notify them that it was a gun. S&W told me to ship it unloaded and in a hard case, but that was it.

Sean, what do you mean an erroneous label? I don't recall anywhere on the label where you have to describe the contents (unless it is international, and then it is usually so they can collect duty).
 
I'm not aware of any federal law requiring you to tell the front desk at FedEx that you're shipping an expensive firearm that would be very easy to take home with them. Now don't try to ship a short gun through the USPS--that would be breaking the law. But private carriers are another matter.
 
I understand it to be not a crime, but a violation of company policy to ship a handgun from a UPS store, and not their hub.

They shipped a box to an address for me. What else needed to be said?
 
Now, there is the rub. If you don't comply with their policies, you may not be able to claim on the insurance.
 
Contact the gun's manufacturer. For a minor part like a firing pin, maybe they'll just send you a spare.

If not, a good company will send you (via snail mail or email) a label - sometimes termed a "call tag" - and have the carrier pick up the parcel at your home. (Both Bushmaster and DSA did this for me when I had warranty issues, picking up the tab for shipping as part of their warranty service.)

As far as declaring the contents of the package, company policies are one thing (pfffft!) but I'd check *real* carefully to determine whether or not I'd be violating Federal law by neglecting to provide the carrier with a written declaration of what was in the parcel. (Still, would they even know that a "Taurus 96" is a pistol? If not, well, you declared it accurately, it's not your job to educate them further.)
 
Crowbardog: I'm not surprised to hear that getting guns out of California is n't that difficult. It has to be easier than getting them in!
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Except for the annoying fact that they won't allow their FFLs to sell to out of state residents. I have a wonderful wife who likes to go gun shopping with me. But when we visit her family in CA, I keep having to remind her that gun shopping there is pointless because we can't buy. We go anyway, because she loves to shop, no matter what we're shopping for. I tell the gun shop owners there to lobby the state legislature to allow sales to out of staters on the logic that the gun will be LEAVING California.:banghead: Why do Californians continue to elect such IDIOTS, when they keep voting so conservatively on propositions?!?!?!
 
If not, a good company will send you (via snail mail or email) a label - sometimes termed a "call tag" - and have the carrier pick up the parcel at your home. (Both Bushmaster and DSA did this for me when I had warranty issues, picking up the tab for shipping as part of their warranty service.)
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S&W also does this!
 
Ok, apparenlty the 1968 Gun Laws do require notice, if you are shipping to someone other than a dealer or manufacturer or collector:

922. Unlawful acts

(a) It shall be unlawful --

(2) for any importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector licensed under the provisions of this chapter to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm to any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, except that --

(A) this paragraph and subsection (b)(3) shall not be held to preclude a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector from returning a firearm or replacement firearm of the same kind and type to a person from whom it was received; and this paragraph shall not be held to preclude an individual from mailing a firearm owned in compliance with Federal, State, and local law to a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector;

(e) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, to persons other than licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped; except that any passenger who owns or legally possesses a firearm or ammunition being transported aboard any common or contract carrier for movement with the passenger in interstate or foreign commerce may deliver said firearm or ammunition into the custody of the pilot, captain, conductor or operator of such common or contract carrier for the duration of the trip without violating any of the provisions of this chapter. No common or contract carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other container that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm.
 
I'm not aware of any federal law requiring you to tell the front desk at FedEx that you're shipping an expensive firearm that would be very easy to take home with them. Now don't try to ship a short gun through the USPS--that would be breaking the law. But private carriers are another matter.
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Consider your self to be made aware.

ATF FAQ B8

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b8

(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier? [Back]


A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.
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27 CFR Chapter II

§ 478.31 Delivery by common or contract
carrier.
(a) No person shall knowingly deliver or
cause to be delivered to any common or
contract carrier for transportation or shipment
in interstate or foreign commerce to
any person other than a licensed importer,
licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or
licensed collector, any package or other
container in which there is any firearm or
ammunition without written notice to the
carrier that such firearm or ammunition is
being transported or shipped:

Now this sounds like you don't have to notify them if you are shipping to a FFL of some sort. I'm not sure of the carrier regs however.
 
My FFL will ship any handgun for me a USPS rate + $10 (which is ALOT less than overnight +plus insurance+plus hazard fee).

If I were just shipping something back for repair, he probably wouldn't even charge me the $10.
 
Firing pin? Just mail the slide USPS and be done. You can mail the slide, barrel and anything but the "grip" part of the pistol to anyone anywhere by any means. The "grip" bit is the part that is legally the gun. What do you call that part, btw? Frame? Lower receiver? ARgh :p
 
On shipping firearms for service or repair. I always go to the terminal. NOT the UPS store or a third party franchise and send it with a copy the FFL off of FFL EZ check of of the ATF website are a signed ink copy of the FFL. There is my proof of it going to a Licensed Repair Facility when shipping as a private party. I place it inside and a copy in one of those plastic packing invoice evolopes attached to the outside.

My biggest issue is with the new or rookie clerk at the counter, who works evenings and I have had to get a manager about one out of 4 times but the gun has shipped. Shipping during the day most of the clerks have seen a firearm. May be better for me as I am in Texas which is a tad gun friendly.

I stopped FEDEX because in 15 years FEDEX still cannot get my city correct. I get city zip mismatch as my town of 1500 is within the same zip of a town of 25,000 and the sub minimum wage programmer hired by the subminimum shipper AKA FEDEX

I have used the postal service but again, the experience of the clerk is the issue. Alway, certified, full insurance and with a copy of FFL.

There will be a paper trail.

Shipping is a :cuss: at the very least but it can be done :banghead: eventually. Be willing to pay in, patience, time and money.

Best in your quest.

I hope this helps.
 
The part that broke is an internal firing pin on a Taurus revolver. It isn't something I can fix myself. In good conscience I can't lie about the contents of my package and hope everything goes smoothly.

I will call Taurus and ask for their help.
 
If you're returning it to a FFL there is no legal obligation to notify them of the contents, only company policy.


Do with that as you will.
 
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