Shipping a firearm from MI to IL?

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jawman

jawman

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My grandfather recently passed away and he had some guns that my father and uncle split between them. One of them is a Colt .22 Frontier Scout Single Action revolver and my dad has decided to give it to me. However he is in Michigan and I am in Illinois. What is the best and proper way for him to send it to me via USPS/UPS/Fed Ex? Does anyone recommend a particular carrier? Also how do I register with the state of Illinois? Do I register once I receive the gun or do I register before hand? I do have my FOID card, but that's all and since I'm pretty new to this stuff, I don't want to do anything illegal or the wrong way. What is everything I have to do when I own a gun? I'm assuming that all I have to do is mail in a form that registers the firearm but I'm a newbie so I have no idea to be frank. Thank you in advance guys :) Also I'm really starting to like THR, it's been very informative and everyone has been pretty friendly so far.
 
Since you are residents of different states, there is no legal way for your father to legally ship or transfer the gun directly to you. The gun will have to be sent to an Illinois FFL and then you will pay the Illinois FFL a transfer fee, you will fill out a form 4473, pass a NICS check and then the gun will be yours.

Coordinate the shipment of the gun to the FFL first, though, and find out what they will require. Your dad can ship the gun to the FFL via overnight UPS or FEDEX. Mailing by US Postal Service is illegal. Your dad can use a local FFL on his end to send the gun to an Illinois FFL, and an FFL can use regular US Mail, so that might be the cheaper way to do it.
 
Also how do I register with the state of Illinois? Do I register once I receive the gun or do I register before hand?
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Don't be mis-informed by the anti-gun media, in Illinois their is no registration of firearms. However if you live in Chicago you will have to register the firearm(since it's a handgun) at your local police precinct or something along those lines. If you don't live in Chicago then don't worry about it.
 
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Because the transfer crosses state lines, an FFL is needed to receive the guns on your end per federal law. Your father can ship them to your local FFL dealer directly. You will have to go through the 4473 transfer stuff just like if you're buying the gun(s) from the dealer.

If the guns are located in northern Michigan, I'd be happy to help out sending them if the receiving FFL in your states wants it coming from an FFL. I offer this service for no transfer fee. Just pay shipping charges from me to the dealer in Illinois.
 
Thanks guys, you've been extremely helpful! Rhino, I really appreciate the offer, but unfortunately my old man lives in the suburbs of Detroit, so that won't work. But I would definitely take you up on the offer if he lived in northern Michigan.

I called my local gun store, Rinks, located in Lockport, Illinois, and they charge something like $50 to do it. The guy on the phone said he wasn't exactly sure, and to call back tomorrow morning because the person that does that would be in at that time. I'd really like to avoid having to pay for something my grandfather left for me after he died, but if it's the only way I guess I have no choice. Not to mention that the FFL in Michigan might charge a fee as well.
 
Thanks guys, you've been extremely helpful! Rhino, I really appreciate the offer, but unfortunately my old man lives in the suburbs of Detroit, so that won't work. But I would definitely take you up on the offer if he lived in northern Michigan.

I called my local gun store, Rinks, located in Lockport, Illinois, and they charge something like $50 to do it. The guy on the phone said he wasn't exactly sure, and to call back tomorrow morning because the person that does that would be in at that time. I'd really like to avoid having to pay for something my grandfather left for me after he died, but if it's the only way I guess I have no choice. Not to mention that the FFL in Michigan will probably charge a fee as well. :(

Edit: Sorry for the double post, I didn't realize that it went through the first time, and I couldn't find an option to delete it.
 
Feel free to shop around - some FFL's will take the pistol shipped from an individual with appropriate identification, though I don't know what Michigan requires in their law - and, your local shops around Lockport will all charge different amounts on the Illinois end to do the proper paperwork and the transfer. $50 is quite high where I live - all the best.
 
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