Shipping a gun
- Thread starter Hamonrye
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Coltdriver
Member
I have never shipped a rifle but I have shipped a lot of pistols.
Once you receive the FFL license, go to one of the auction boards and search for the "confirm ffl" button. You should be able to enter the FFL number and confirm that it matches the address you are shipping to and that it is current. Also I always require a copy of the FFL signed in Blue ink so that I have a known original signature. Just a little paranoid precaution.
There may be some California specific rules you will need to follow. Call the FFL holder directly and ask them if there is anything special you need to do to comply with or keep the FFL in compliance with California law. Some times FFL holders will add their own precautions, as is their right, to keep them out of harms way with the authorities they must deal with.
I always ship the pistols in a hard sided case. They are further imobilized within the case by bubble wrap or foam. You just have to envision your package being tossed through the air by a handler and you pack it accordingly. If you go to a Mail Boxes Etc you can get good boxes and if need be you can usually get a good double box set so that you have twice the cardboard around your rifle.
Make sure you follow the carriers rules for identifying the weapon to them (some require it, some don't). Insure your weapon of course. I don't think it is legal to ship via US Post Office but the rules may be different for a rifle versus a pistol.
Beyond that I always ship on a Monday to avoid having my package in the system over a week end. I always ship three day or less guaranteed delivery. I always get a tracking number and when I see it has arrived, I call the receiving party to verify.
Good Luck
Once you receive the FFL license, go to one of the auction boards and search for the "confirm ffl" button. You should be able to enter the FFL number and confirm that it matches the address you are shipping to and that it is current. Also I always require a copy of the FFL signed in Blue ink so that I have a known original signature. Just a little paranoid precaution.
There may be some California specific rules you will need to follow. Call the FFL holder directly and ask them if there is anything special you need to do to comply with or keep the FFL in compliance with California law. Some times FFL holders will add their own precautions, as is their right, to keep them out of harms way with the authorities they must deal with.
I always ship the pistols in a hard sided case. They are further imobilized within the case by bubble wrap or foam. You just have to envision your package being tossed through the air by a handler and you pack it accordingly. If you go to a Mail Boxes Etc you can get good boxes and if need be you can usually get a good double box set so that you have twice the cardboard around your rifle.
Make sure you follow the carriers rules for identifying the weapon to them (some require it, some don't). Insure your weapon of course. I don't think it is legal to ship via US Post Office but the rules may be different for a rifle versus a pistol.
Beyond that I always ship on a Monday to avoid having my package in the system over a week end. I always ship three day or less guaranteed delivery. I always get a tracking number and when I see it has arrived, I call the receiving party to verify.
Good Luck
Steve Smith
Moderator Emeritus
You may ship rifles via USPS. I do it often.
cratz2
Member
Every rifle I've ever personally shipped out was via USPS... it's perfectly legal. There are rules in the book and everything. My dealer uses UPS when I go through him.
My dealer uses UPS when I go through him.- Status
