I thought there was a sticky on this subject but I couldn't find it or an answer when I did a search of the archives. I am trying to by a revolver from an individual in California and have it shipped to a FFL holder in Virginia. Can anyone tell me the correct "legal" way to get this done? I thought it was just a matter of my FFL sending the individual a copy of his FFL to take with him to UPS or FedEx and that would be it. Is there a law that requires someone in California to ship from an FFL to a FFL in another state? Thanks!
Shipping A Handgun From CA to VA
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blackrussian
Member
Handguns have to be shipped FFL to FFL
Is this a California law? The only thing I can find is that it must be shipped by FedEx or UPS to a FFL from the individual and he (or she) must declare in writing that the package contains a firearm.
blackrussian
Member
Thanks for the link but I still don't see where it states that an individual can't ship a handgun to a FFL in another state as long as they use FedEx or UPS.
kingpin008
Member
I'm unfamiliar with California state law, but in regards to Federal law, this is absolutely FALSE.
I guess you still have to convince FedEx or UPS to accept the gun from an individual. I told the seller to see if he could find an FFL around Bonita CA that will ship the gun for him at a reasonable price and if that's not possible we can call just off the deal.
W.E.G.
Member
The shipper may find it cheaper to use a FFL.
The FFL will probably charge a transfer fee.
If the FFL isn't a thief, this should be no more than $30.
Add to that, the price of Priority Mail postage - probably no more than $15.
UPS and FedEx are gonna rape you for overnight shipping if you use them for handgun shipping.
Probably around $70.
Shipping handguns is damn expensive, no matter how you slice it.
The FFL will probably charge a transfer fee.
If the FFL isn't a thief, this should be no more than $30.
Add to that, the price of Priority Mail postage - probably no more than $15.
UPS and FedEx are gonna rape you for overnight shipping if you use them for handgun shipping.
Probably around $70.
Shipping handguns is damn expensive, no matter how you slice it.
ALso keep in mind that while they are not prohibited from doing so, many FFL's won't accept a transfer shipment from another individual (verify with your dealer before you have something sent to him!), so this is another point in favor of letting your local FFL do the shipping.
nalioth
Member
This is widely held as true on the internet. Out in the big blue room, "many FFL's" have never heard of this.zoom6zoom said:
I just went through this myself. I shipped a pistol, sold on Gunbroker, from CA to MI. The receiving FFL would not accept from me, a private citizen, and if he would the only legally way to ship is FedEx/UPS overnight, starting at $75.
FFL to FFL can use the post office for handguns, but private citizens cannot. This how it's done on GB for $25 or so.
Private citizens can ship long guns USPS to FFL in another state or yourself in another state.
Something to consider if you want to get sneaky. I considered just going UPS ground and not telling UPS (figuring it a civil issue). It turns out it's a crime to not declare the gun to a private shipper - so that is out too. And if you do use UPS you must go to a UPS shipping center, not a mailbox place that offers UPS service.
FFL to FFL can use the post office for handguns, but private citizens cannot. This how it's done on GB for $25 or so.
Private citizens can ship long guns USPS to FFL in another state or yourself in another state.
Something to consider if you want to get sneaky. I considered just going UPS ground and not telling UPS (figuring it a civil issue). It turns out it's a crime to not declare the gun to a private shipper - so that is out too. And if you do use UPS you must go to a UPS shipping center, not a mailbox place that offers UPS service.
kingpin008
Member
Many here in Maryland have, and won't accept from private parties. What's your point?
dogtown tom
Member
I ship two to three long guns each week to FFL's that refuse to receive from a nonlicensee.
I also receive a couple of guns each week because a new customers' former FFL began refusing such shipments.
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The FFL I have been using for a long time now refuses transfers except from other FFL's. The next closest FFL will take them but charges double. The issue is that many people shipping firearms neglect to provide proper documentation; the receiving FFL can't log it in properly if he doesn't know who it's from, and with ATF pouncing on people for paperwork errors, I can't really blame them.
Quiet
Member
parker51 said:
CA laws does not require that firearms be shipped through a FFL dealer.
It is up to the FFL dealer on if he/she is willing to accept a shipment from a non-licensed person.
So, you need to contact your FFL dealer to see what their preference is.
The linked thread is about MAILING a handgun. There is no LEGAL requirement that an FFL be used on the sending end as long as the handgun is SHIPPED (via UPS or FedEx). However, it may be cheaper to mail (via USPS) the handgun FFL to FFL than to ship it via UPS Air.
Also, some FFLs won't accept a shipment from an individual, despite there being no legal reason not to. Ask first.
EOD Guy
Member
ArtP said:
No it's not if you are shipping to a licensee. Legally, notification is only required when shipping to a nonlicensee.
NavyLCDR
member
Dang it, you beat me to it!
This is the truth. Well, actually, notification is only required by law when shipping to a nonlicensee out of state.
And, please, ArtP, don't post the ATF FAQ that says otherwise, because then we will just have to post, again, the letter from the ATF that says their FAQ is wrong. Instead, go look at 18 USC 922 (e).
Thanks everyone for the information. The seller contacted 3 different FFL's in CA and all 3 wanted $75 (plus shipping) to handle the transfer of the gun. This is about $45 to $50 more than what they charge for a transfer in Virginia Beach, VA. This has really been very frustrating for the seller and I think we are at the point of calling off the deal. For additional cost of $130 in FFL transfer fees and shipping costs I can buy the same gun locally for less.
NavyLCDR
member
You do understand that the seller can ship it directly to your FFL without going through an FFL on his end...
An individual may absolutely ship a handgun, legally, to an FFL. The wrinkle is that some FFLs, as a matter of business policy, will not accept a handgun for transfer from an individual. That is their prerogative.
EOD Guy
Member
Although it is legal for a non-licensee to ship a firearm to a licensed dealer, there is one thing to keep in mind. If the buyer or dealer wants to return it to you, it must be shipped to an FFL on your end and a 4473 must be filled out by you in order to transfer the firearm, assuming it's an interstate transfer. It cannot be returned directly to an unlicensed person in another State. The only firearms that can be returned directly are those originally sent for repair.
This is a reason some dealers don't want to deal with unlicensed persons in other States.
This is a reason some dealers don't want to deal with unlicensed persons in other States.
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