Same State Shipments

[AmEngRifles]

My question is, can I ship, as a private citizen, to another state resident, who is also a private citizen, a rifle, or shotgun, or even a pistol? This would be a rifle, bolt action (don't think the type would have any bearing short of being a Class 3 item).

I am somewhat familiar with the fact that the USPS will NOT accept packages of pistols OR rifles, OR shotguns from a private source to another private source.
I was told a while back that you had to be the ffl holder who brought the package to USPS, otherwise they would not accept it. I know, because I was there, with a copy of my buddies ffl in the box, and a very nervous postal worker telling me I had to be the ffl holder, knowing I had a "rifle in the box"!

UPS now tells me the same thing. They would not take a package of a bolt action rifle from me to another address within the state. They asked if either of us was an ffl and I answered truthfully. Then I was told they would not accept thee package. They will take ammo, but not firearms.

My question is this. Is the shipment legal (face to face is legal, but we live in a BIG state)? And is there any service that WILL accept a package such as this? FedEx maybe? I am about to call them but do not hold high promise for a positive response.

 

[Oro]

UPS can decline the package as that as it is their policy to not ship to a non-FFL. LEgal, they can, and I think most offices will do it, but I don't use UPS unless I'm forced at gun point, they are the least reliable or efficient shipping outfit.

With the USPS, you can ship a rifle intrastate to anyone legal. For interstate, it needs to go to an FFL or yourself. You need to copy the BATF rules and take them to them, or get a knowledgeable counter person. The FFL in person is required to ship a handgun via USPS - they have to fill out a form 1504 (I think that is the #), but again, that is for handguns only.

There are numerous web sites going through all this if you google, and lots of threads here if you search.

 

[nalioth]

To answer your question, yes, it's legal under federal law, provide the recipient is not a prohihibited person.

A up to date FAQ with shipping/carrier info and links to the law can be found here: Shipping a gun. Who, what, where, why, how - Saiga-12.com

 

[AmEngRifles]

Thanks guys for the links. Don't think this is something that I want to make a habit, but I believe in using the law in my favor, so I will do what is legal. I know there is so much generalized MISINFORMATION, and there is always INTERPRETATION, but I try to read for myself, just don't always know the right words to use in a web search, and often get frustrated trying to do it that way, so I appreciate the help

 

[EOD Guy]

My question is, can I ship, as a private citizen, to another state resident, who is also a private citizen, a rifle, or shotgun, or even a pistol? This would be a rifle, bolt action (don't think the type would have any bearing short of being a Class 3 item).

I am somewhat familiar with the fact that the USPS will NOT accept packages of pistols OR rifles, OR shotguns from a private source to another private source.

It is perfectly legal for a nonlicensee to mail a rifle or shotgun to another nonlicensee within the same State. The postal clerks you talked to didn't know their own regulations. If it's a rifle or shotgun and the transfer is legal under the GCA, you can mail it. Postal regulations specifically forbid Postmasters from making legal determinations regarding the GCA.