Shipping a firearm

[Gergify]

So I'm making my first sale on gunbroker and I want to make sure I'm properly shipping this firearm; as I've never shipped something like this anymore

1. I need obtain a copy of the FFL to where it's being shipped to (via fax or mail).
2. Properly package the firearm. Being unloaded of course; NOT marking anywhere on the box that it's a firearm

Now here is where I'm trouble finding grounded info on:

Can I print the label online (for either USPS or UPS) and simply go the store/post office and drop it off; or do I have to notify them that it's a firearm (Because I can imagine they will flip)?

 

[oneounceload]

Are you shipping a handgun or long gun?

If a long gun, you can use USPS. If it is a handgun, unless you are a FFL, you need to use a FFL to ship

I have recently shipped several long guns - one by USPS, the rest by Fedex 3-day business - I like the efficiency of Fedex

 

[NavyLCDR]

If it is a handgun, unless you are a FFL, you need to use a FFL to ship

False statement.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

False statement.

As a stand alone statement yes. Taken in context with the previous sentence it is true

If a long gun, you can use USPS. If it is a handgun, unless you are a FFL, you need to use a FFL to ship

. To ship a handgun USPS requires an FFL.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Can I print the label online (for either USPS or UPS) and simply go the store/post office and drop it off; or do I have to notify them that it's a firearm (Because I can imagine they will flip)?

1. Rifle - you can mail it to an FFL using USPS. You are not required by law to inform the USPS that you are mailing a rifle.

2. Handgun or rifle - you can ship to an FFL using FEDEX or UPS. You are not required by law to inform them of the shipment of a firearm to an FFL. FEDEX or UPS company policy, not law, requires that you inform them of the shipment of a firearm. Handguns, again by company policy, are required to be shipped by overnight air.

3. You CAN, but not required by law, take a handgun or a rifle to an FFL, and they can mail either one by USPS to another FFL.

 

[NavyLCDR]

As a stand alone statement yes. Taken in context with the previous sentence it is true

Respectfully, you don't ship things via the post office. You mail things via the post office.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Respectfully, you don't ship things via the post office. You mail things via the post office.

Agreed,however that is just semantics. "Mailing" or "shipping" is the same thing in reality,the difference being by whom it is done. I do get your point though.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Agreed,however that is just semantics. "Mailing" or "shipping" is the same thing in reality,the difference being by whom it is done. I do get your point though.

Now if I asked you to mail me a bunch of clips for my gun, and instead you shipped to me a box of magazines via UPS....

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Now cut that out!!!!!!!! :=)

 

[nalioth]

If your business is with someone who resides in the same state as you, no FFL is required at either end under federal law (your state and local laws may say differently).

You'll still need to follow the U.S. Mail's regulations on shipping handguns (if you are shipping one).

Under federal law, you can have a firearm delivered directly to a same-state resident.

 

[karlsgunbunker]

Can I print the label online (for either USPS or UPS) and simply go the store/post office and drop it off

Yes, with the restrictions listed. (No handguns by USPS w/o FFL)

do I have to notify them that it's a firearm

No. You have no legal obligation to do so.

 

[Frank Ettin]

One caveat: some FFLs will not accept a firearm for transfer from a private citizen. It would be legal to do so, but some FFLs apparently have their own business reasons for not doing so. So you should make sure that the buyer has confirmed that the FFL he is using for the transfer will accept the gun from you. If he will, he will probably still want a copy of your driver's license.

 

[Gergify]

Sorry..... MAIL through the USPS...

So if a SHIP through UPS, their policy requires me to notify the carrier there is a firearm? I have a feeling that will cause problems...

 

[nygunbroker]

All out of state transfers must be FFL To FFL with Ncis Check on receiving end before transfer of firearm.
online gunbroker

 

[Frank Ettin]

All out of state transfers must be FFL To FFL with Ncis Check on receiving end before transfer of firearm....

Do you have a citation for that?

[1] Under federal law, any transfer of a firearm from a resident of one State to a resident of another must be done by an FFL, with all the usual formalities (4473, NICS, etc.). In the case of a long gun, it could be any FFL as long as the transfer complies with the laws of both the State in which the transfer is effected and the State in which the transferee resides, and as long as the long gun is legal in the transferee's State of residence. In the case of a handgun, the transfer must be done by an FFL in the transferee's State of residence.

[2] Nothing in federal law prohibits an interstate transfer by the transferor who is not a licensee sending the gun to an FFL in the transferee's State of residence so that the FFL can effect the transfer. But some FFLs, for business reasons, will not accept a gun for transfer from a non-licensee.

 

[nalioth]

All out of state transfers must be FFL To FFL

Maybe for subjects of New Yawk.

Not so in the free states.

Can we please stop perpetrating this myth?

 

[NavyLCDR]

Maybe for subjects of New Yawk.

Not even in the People's Republik of NY is it required.

Can we please stop perpetrating this myth?

I agree 100%. Of course, there are some FFL's out there that aren't helping....It would be nice if those that don't accept private shipments would stress that it is only by company policy...

 

[hirundo82]

Can we please stop perpetrating this myth?

Some FFLs seem to be the worst in spreading this myth--makes sense since they make money off of people believing it.

 

[chiggerbyt]

Respectfully,
How can I "mail" it when usps wants a "shipping" label? Seems they use both terms at USPS. Mail for "mail" and "shipping" for packages perhaps. Check out usps.com for further info. :?)) chig

 

[dogtown tom]

chiggerbyt Respectfully,
How can I "mail" it when usps wants a "shipping" label? Seems they use both terms at USPS. Mail for "mail" and "shipping" for packages perhaps. Check out usps.com for further info. :?)) chig

USPS.com calls it "Click-N-Ship"

 

[Big_Dogg]

2. Handgun or rifle - you can ship to an FFL using FEDEX or UPS. You are not required by law to inform them of the shipment of a firearm to an FFL. FEDEX or UPS company policy, not law, requires that you inform them of the shipment of a firearm. Handguns, again by company policy, are required to be shipped by overnight air.

This is another good thing that you've pointed out. A lot of people are under the misconception that it is required by law to ship a handgun overnight air when you use UPS. It is not the law or necessary to ship overnight. (Nor is it cost effective)

 

[Frank Ettin]

...It is not the law or necessary to ship overnight. (Nor is it cost effective)

No, but it is UPS/FedEx policy, as it is UPS/FedEx policy to require the shipper verbally inform the clerk that the package contains a firearm. A possible consequence of not following the carrier's policy is that if the gun is lost or damage, they could get out of paying off on an insurance claim.

 

[karlsgunbunker]

No, but it is UPS/FedEx policy, as it is UPS/FedEx policy to require the shipper verbally inform the clerk that the package contains a firearm. A possible consequence of not following the carrier's policy is that if the gun is lost or damage, they could get out of paying off on an insurance claim.

+1 That's how they get ya!

 

[Art Eatman]

THE UPS reason for overnight air instead of ground for handguns was that there had been too many internal thefts by employees--creating hassle and insurance claims, etc.

 

[Big_Dogg]

THE UPS reason for overnight air instead of ground for handguns was that there had been too many internal thefts by employees--creating hassle and insurance claims, etc.

That may be what they say, but for that to be true, you'd have to have about a dozen employees in on it helping you to get it out of there.

I worked at UPS a decade ago, and that place was locked down better than most army bases. Multiple very high barb wired fences surrounding the entire facility, with cameras everywhere. Multiple metal detectors that needed to be passed through to enter and exit, and multiple guards that had to be passed by/pat search you. Etc. Not to mention that even back then their tracking system & employee managment system was so advanced that if a gun disappeared, you would be able to tell exactly which employee took it, and what time he took it down to a couple of minutes.

And that was just over a decade ago, I can only imagine that they've beefed up security since then.

Plus, how would an employee know a handgun was in a box? Would he somehow open every box in the truck until he found a gun? He'd get caught after opening just a couple boxes, and be hand delivered by security to the police.