Post office refused to ship firearm

[hatchetbearer]

Today I went into my local post office with a rifle another THR member purchased from me inside a nondescript brown box as big as the hard case i shipped it in. The clerk asked me If I had anything to declare, and was the package containing anything fragile, hazardous, perishable or a firearm? I told him yes, a rifle, and the guy pushed my package back across the counter backing away, and says "We dont ship handguns."

again I explained It was a rifle and being shipped in accordance with shipping regulations. he then asked "is It broken down?" i told him "it doesnt have to be broken down, just unloaded" he then said "well I didn't see it, so I don't believe its not a handgun (box is 5' long and weighs almost 12 pounds.) you need to go, I'm calling the cops" at that point I went across the street to the UPS store and shipped it no questions asked for a dollar more, albeit i had to wait an extra 45 minutes in line.

I wrote the postal office customer support, but I still dont think I'll be sending anything else priority mail.

 

[mbt2001]

Would have been interesting to see what happened if / when the cops showed up.

I concur that people are becoming gun phobic these days. Post office employees are idiots anyway. My mailman will not deliver the mail if there is anything even SLIGHTLY obstructing my post office box whether it is caused by me or not.

 

[mgregg85]

lol, "is it a handgun?". You shoulda said, "hell no, look how big this package is, its a lotta handguns"

Do you have to inform them that it is a rifle?

 

[kfranz]

Call the postmaster for that location directly and explain to them how the scenario happened. It sounds like the employee was out of line and needs to be put back in their place.

 

[manofsteele]

As a postal worker I plead with you to call 1800-ASK-USPS and file a complaint. I make sure my fellow coworkers know the regulations. USPS should advertise this as the last thing we need is people going to the other competitors. Please call.


Jason

 

[Bob R]

Call the postmaster for that location directly and explain to them how the scenario happened. It sounds like the employee was out of line and needs to be put back in their place.

I agree, don't let this pass by. The employee needs to be educated about his job. If possible, go back and get his name for the complaint.

Using his logic he would have every package opened so that he can verify there is no prohibited items being mailed.

I just shipped a rifle to another member and was in and out of the post office in less than 10 minutes and it made it across the country (WA > VA) in 2 days.

bob

 

[kingpin008]

Yup. Call and raise hell. That fool needs to be talked to.

Incidentally, this is why you should always have a copy of the rules & regs of the company you're using to ship guns with you at the time of shipment. This way, when they say "I'm calling the cops" you can say fine, I'll just show them YOUR OWN RULES regarding the items I'm trying to ship.

 

[hatchetbearer]

I was unaware of the 1800 number, I'll give them a call here in a bit. The sad thing is I've shipped countless guns before through this post office. It's my personal opinion that he (an older man) didn't want to deal with a young guy (21) on the day after labor day when they were busy.

 

[hatchetbearer]

A quick phone call to customer service explaining my experience and a request for a call back on the matter should have this solved.

 

[kingpin008]

Good luck on actually getting that call back. I've had to deal with the USPS a few times over missing/late mail, and they're the most apathetic, don't-give-a-damn bunch of folks I've run across in a while.

 

[SR_]

I have very low tolerance for the postal folks that don't know the rules.

Sounds like you already checked the rules. In that case, ask for the postmaster.

Generally the postmasters are good with the rules. However, in one case I had to ask the postmaster to get the rule book - and I showed them where they were misreading the rule.

 

[svtruth]

Why don't we

all call? The answers should be educational. When I sent a .357 Colt back to the factory, I just put it in one of their boxes and sent it.

 

[waterhouse]

When I sent a .357 Colt back to the factory, I just put it in one of their boxes and sent it.

I presume you are talking about a Colt Lightning or other Colt rifle chambered in .357, or that you are a dealer in firearms. It is against the law for a non-dealer to ship handguns through the postal service.

 

[svtruth]

Just followed

my own advice and called them. The lady had to look it up. If to authorized dealer, put it in box, pay postage and tell 'em it's a gun.
Nope, Water, a stainless King Cobra.

 

[jakedaniel]

I don't think it's illegal if you are sending it back to the manufacturer for repair.

 

[XDKingslayer]

When you're in the right and you know you're in the right my usual responce to "I'm calling the cops" is "I double dog dare ya!".

 

[ProficientRifleman]

You should have demanded to speak to that man's supervisor.

Not "a" supervisor, HIS supervisor. You should have gone up the chain of command until you spoke with the postmaster himself.

Knucklehead employees shouldn't be allowed to "win" ego contests like that.

 

[nalioth]

If to authorized dealer, put it in box, pay postage and tell 'em it's a gun.

It is legal to ship long guns via USPS to any legal recipient, not just "licensed dealers".

 

[waterhouse]

From the Domestic Mail Manual of the United States Postal Service, Section 601:

11.1.5 Manufacturers and Dealers

Handguns may also be mailed between licensed manufacturers of firearms and licensed dealers of firearms in customary trade shipments, or for repairing or replacing parts.
11.1.6 Certificate of Manufacturers and Dealers

A licensed manufacturer or dealer need not file the affidavit under 11.1.4, but must file with the postmaster a statement on Form 1508 signed by the mailer that he or she is a licensed manufacturer or dealer of firearms, that the parcels containing handguns (or major component parts thereof) are customary trade shipments or contain such articles for repairing or replacing parts, and that to the best of his or her knowledge or belief the addressees are licensed manufacturers or dealers of firearms.

If you are not a licensed dealer, you may not lawfully ship handguns through the United States Postal Service. If you are a dealer, you may send a handgun as long as you submit Postal Form 1508 along with the shipment.

 

[HoosierQ]

I sold a SWORD to someone in Spain via eBay and the post office person said..."we cannot ship 'weapons' to Spain". I mean...a SWORD...to SPAIN...they got lots of swords already in Spain I'm thinking...you guys seen El Cid for crying out loud! They turned me away.

I went to a different post office, and declared the item...instead of Sword..."Antique Collectable Militaria". 100% accurate and the person at the desk took it with a smile.

 

[Hoppy590]

call the support or if you think it warrants it, the Postal Inspectors office.

one of the few people i wouldn't want to mess is the Postal Inspector they take the rules of the Postal Service very serious, and are very good at their job

 

[Bill2e]

Call the Postmaster!

I don't know, but probaly would have had them called the cops or called them myself, know that I was in the right. However I may not have wanted to deal with the BS

 

[feedthehogs]

Just another government institution that needs to go by the way side.

 

[rondog]

Why even tell them what's in the box? If they ask that stupid question, I just tell 'em "nope".

 

[Gator]

As has been said, COMPLAIN! I wouldn't let that pass, the clerk was ignorant and threatened you with the police, he should at least get a verbal reprimand. I'd write the local Postmaster and call 1800-ASK-USPS.