Boba Fett:... FFL is needed when there is a transfer of ownership. You own this firearm already, so no worries....
Firearm transfers have nothing to do with ownership. A firearms transfer is for change of possession. You can buy a firearm (you own it) but not be able to take possession.
Example 1:
You purchase a firearm from a seller on this forum or GunBroker. You pay him, he ships to your FFL. Your FFL has you complete a 4473 and calls in a NICS check. You get denied on the NICS check. Although you own the firearm, you cannot take possession.
Example 2:
A family member who lives in a distant state dies, leaving you his firearms in his will. Although the firearms become your property upon his passing, you can't have someone else ship them directly to you in your home state. They would have to be shipped to an FFL in your state AND you get to complete a 4473 and NICS check. If you were to go to your deceased family members state, pack up the guns, you are allowed under Federal law to then ship them directly to your own address.
As always, state laws vary, as do the policies of USPS, FedEx and UPS.
FRJ: Regarding the post office: They won't mail handguns but long guns are allright. FRJ
Firearms dealers are allowed to mail handguns. USPS is the cheapest (by far) to ship a handgun.
wishin: That's true, but when my local gun shop handles a consignment for me, they require a new form 4473 should it not sell, before they'll return it to me. I quess for all practical purposes the law considers it as a transfer, although I still own it. Go figure. That one threw me.
This is because possession of the firearm transfers to the dealer when you took it in for consignment. Any firearm on his licensed premises is required to be logged into his "bound book". When you go to pick up your gun (that didn't sell) you have to do the 4473/NICS check.
There are certain exceptions, such as a firearm left with a gunsmith.
