Questions on shipping handguns and a suppressor

[megatronrules]

Hey all I'm currently in Colorado visiting family. We drove from Florida. The drive while nice was Long so going to probably fly home.

That said I'm wondering on the legally of shipping my two handguns and my suppressor back to Florida to an FFL I use there who is also a class 3.
Is it legal for me to ship these items to the FFL in Florida myself or would an class 3 FFl here have to ship them?

If it's no legal can I simply put the suppressor in the gun ass and check it with the handguns when I fly back? I do have my tax stamp with the suppressor also. Will the airlines allow a suppressor to be out into a checked case with a handgun? I haven't flown with a handgun since 2001 so I don't know what if anything has changed and I didn't own a suppressor back then either.

Thanks for any help on this.

 

[bearcreek]

I don't have personal experience flying with a silencer, but I do know that it can be done. I would think that they would fall under the category of firearm parts. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/parts-guns-and-firearms You could contact TSA and ask, although the chances of getting consistent answers is slim. The subject of flying with handguns has been hashed out, ad nauseum, on this forum. There are many dozens of threads started by folks asking the same question. Here are a few.

Search results for query: flying firearm

Search results for query: flying gun

In short, it's very easy and definitely not worth the hassle of shipping a handgun.

 

[dogtown tom]

Hey all I'm currently in Colorado visiting family. We drove from Florida. The drive while nice was Long so going to probably fly home.

Fly, don't ship.

That said I'm wondering on the legally of shipping my two handguns and my suppressor back to Florida to an FFL I use there who is also a class 3.

Is it legal for me to ship these items to the FFL in Florida myself or would an class 3 FFl here have to ship them?

First, read the firearm shipping sticky at the top of this subforum.
Second, there is no quick or easy way for you to get handguns and a silencer to Florida:
1. While you can ship rifles and shotguns via USPS, handguns and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable except by licensed dealers and manufacturers.
2. UP and FedEx policies prohibit nonlicensees from shipping any firearm and only allows dealers enrolled in their firearm shipping program to ship firearms.

If it's no legal can I simply put the suppressor in the gun ass and check it with the handguns when I fly back?

Yes, as long as the gun consents to where you intend to stick that silencer.

I do have my tax stamp with the suppressor also. Will the airlines allow a suppressor to be out into a checked case with a handgun? I haven't flown with a handgun since 2001 so I don't know what if anything has changed and I didn't own a suppressor back then either.

TSA Transporting Firearms and Ammunition

A silencer is considered a "firearm" as defined in federal law.

 

[Jim Watson]

2. UP and FedEx policies prohibit nonlicensees from shipping any firearm and only allows dealers enrolled in their firearm shipping program to ship firearms.

That's the clanger. While it is legal for you to ship a gun to yourself, frex to send your hunting or match piece ahead, Fedup will no longer handle it. I wonder if that change in policy was supported by government jawboning to accomplish what legislation did not.

 

[dogtown tom]

That's the clanger. While it is legal for you to ship a gun to yourself, frex to send your hunting or match piece ahead, Fedup will no longer handle it. I wonder if that change in policy was supported by government jawboning to accomplish what legislation did not.

UPS and FedEx were pressured by the usual suspects:
https://www.ammoland.com/2022/09/De...rs-pressure-shipping-companies/#axzz8Uy6lLfc2

 

[bearcreek]

A silencer is considered a "firearm" as defined in federal law.

So, when checking one, do you declare it the same way as a firearm, or does TSA consider it a firearm part? Or do we not really know for sure?

 

[dogtown tom]

So, when checking one, do you declare it the same way as a firearm, or does TSA consider it a firearm part? Or do we not really know for sure?

Its a firearm as defined by federal law:

Firearm. Any weapon, including a starter gun, which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device; but the term shall not include an antique firearm. In the case of a licensed collector, the term shall mean only curios and relics. The term shall include a weapon parts kit that is designed to or may readily be completed, assembled, restored, or otherwise converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive. The term shall not include a weapon, including a weapon parts kit, in which the frame or receiver of such weapon is destroyed as described in the definition “frame or receiver”.

So it would be declared like any other firearm....and it definitely is not a firearm part. In fact, federal law considers each part of a silencer as a regulated firearm. Meaning a spare baffle or wipe is considered the same as the entire assembly.

 

[heyjoe]

i would suggest that you leave very early for the airport, give yourself plenty of time

 

[bearcreek]

Its a firearm as defined by federal law:

So it would be declared like any other firearm....and it definitely is not a firearm part. In fact, federal law considers each part of a silencer as a regulated firearm. Meaning a spare baffle or wipe is considered the same as the entire assembly.

I knew the part about the definition. Just wasn't sure how it worked with TSA or the folks at the check in counter. I've encountered check in people who asked if my Glock pistol was a .38. I'd imagine a silencer could make for some interesting conversations with them. Have you checked silencers before? What do you actually say when you approach the check in counter? When I check a gun, I say "I'm checking a firearm". Are you actually stating to the check in counter that you're "checking a firearm"?

 

[dogtown tom]

I knew the part about the definition. Just wasn't sure how it worked with TSA or the folks at the check in counter. I've encountered check in people who asked if my Glock pistol was a .38. I'd imagine a silencer could make for some interesting conversations with them. Have you checked silencers before? What do you actually say when you approach the check in counter? When I check a gun, I say "I'm checking a firearm". Are you actually stating to the check in counter that you're "checking a firearm"?

I would be telling them "I'm checking a firearm" (or firearms). There is no requirement to tell them its a pistol, handgun, rifle, shotgun or silencer, a 9mm, .38, stainless steel, blued, etc.
Its no different when I'm shipping a firearm with the post office.

Just tell them whats required. TSA has no reason to know the brand, model, caliber, etc.

 

[bearcreek]

I would be telling them "I'm checking a firearm" (or firearms). There is no requirement to tell them its a pistol, handgun, rifle, shotgun or silencer, a 9mm, .38, stainless steel, blued, etc.
Its no different when I'm shipping a firearm with the post office.

Just tell them whats required. TSA has no reason to know the brand, model, caliber, etc.

Have you actually done that though? I'm just curious about the experience. The lady at the counter asking if my Glock was a .38 wasn't asking in an official capacity. She was just curious and clearly didn't know anything about firearms, even though she had just asked for me to open the case and show her that the gun was unloaded. I'd sure think it would be interesting, at times, to explain to someone like that that your "firearm"/silencer can't be loaded or unloaded and "is" a firearm (by federal definition) even though it clearly isn't, as far as they can see.

 

[dogtown tom]

Have you actually done that though? I'm just curious about the experience. The lady at the counter asking if my Glock was a .38 wasn't asking in an official capacity. She was just curious and clearly didn't know anything about firearms, even though she had just asked for me to open the case and show her that the gun was unloaded. I'd sure think it would be interesting, at times, to explain to someone like that that your "firearm"/silencer can't be loaded or unloaded and "is" a firearm (by federal definition) even though it clearly isn't, as far as they can see.

I haven't.....but that's irrelevant. Curiosity or ignorance by the counter clerk will be an issue no matter what type of firearm is in your checked luggage. What isn't at issue is the TSA regulation.
As is whether a silencer is/is not a firearm.....that ain't their call.

If the counter lady starts asking questions, I would politely answer them, just as I do at the post office. If they would question why my silencer can't be unloaded or begin getting hostile, ask for a supervisor.

I'm puzzled as to why you think this may cause issues. If anything a silencer would be the most unthreatening firearm they would ever see. If you declare "two firearms in my checked bag" and they open it and see a pistol and a silencer I'll bet you get asked "where's the other gun?".

 

[bearcreek]

I'm puzzled as to why you think this may cause issues. If anything a silencer would be the most unthreatening firearm they would ever see. If you declare "two firearms in my checked bag" and they open it and see a pistol and a silencer I'll bet you get asked "where's the other gun?".

Never said it would cause "issues". I said it might be interesting. Whether or not it's "threatening" depends on the person. There are people out there with some wildly irrational fears about stuff like that. Heck, as you well know, there are even plenty of folks on gun forums who have very inaccurate ideas about what is and isn't legal, even when nothing has changed about the legality of the item or activity for 50 years or more. I'm sure a person could get things straitened out when checking their silencer, I 'm just saying there's a possibility that it'll take longer than when checking a "regular" firearm due to the level of ignorance on the topic that is ubiquitous among airline check in people and TSA employees. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has personal experience checking a silencer.