Shipping a handgun

[aHFo3]

I emailed ruger about an SP101 problem. It won't let me pull the hammer back in single action on one of the five cylinder positions. It seems the cylinder latch is hanging up on that cylinder notch - maybe. I don't know for sure.

This was their response:

Response:
We recommend that you send your entire firearm into our Product Service Dept for evaluation. Ship to: S & R 411 Sunapee St. Newport, NH 03773. Put a letter inside with your firearm stating the problem. Include a daytime phone number, return UPS address, and mailing address.

Pack in a plain brown box. Handguns can not be mailed. They have to be sent through a firearms dealer.If you need further information, please visit our website at www.ruger.com or contact us at:

Revolvers, shotguns, rifles, 10/22 Charger Pistol: (603) 865-2442
Pistols: (928) 778-6555
Serial Number History Information: (603) 865-2424

Please note: This e-mail is sent from a notification-only address that cannot accept incoming e-mail. Please do not reply to this message.

Sincerely,
Ruger Firearms

I added the bold to the response, because that is the part I have a question regarding.

Do I need to go through a dealer, or can I ship it to them directly for repair?

I know when I've sent S&W's back, they go via FedEx, and not through a dealer.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Well technically they are right, handguns cannot be "mailed".

UPS and FedEx are not "mail", they are "common carrier". So, send it FedEx. I believe FedEx requires you to send it overnight.

But yes you can ship a handgun off to an FFL without an intermediate dealer.

From one of several ATF FAQ's out there:

B9) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by carrier? A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by carrier to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

 

[aHFo3]

That makes sense. Off to FedEx I go.

 

[NavyLCDR]

You will get the gun returned to you, right to your doorstep, BTW.

You might have been better off to let a dealer mail it, though. It would have been less expensive, priority mail vs. overnight Fedex.

 

[aHFo3]

I have access to good FedEx rates...$30 for overnight...vs. $25 to pay a dealer plus priority and hassle.

 

[swinokur]

Make sure to declare it to the carrier. It's a Federal regulation and if you don't do it and it get's lost, you will be SOL when you try to file an insurance claim.

 

[nalioth]

Make sure to declare it to the carrier. It's a Federal regulation <snip>

I'm sorry, but you are incorrect.

It is NOT legally required to declare a firearms shipment to a common carrier, if it's going to a licensee.

(e) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, to persons other than licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped. - The law

As to the "insurance paying out", that's a civil matter.

 

[swinokur]

I stand corrected.

 

[brickeyee]

Both FedEx and UPS contracts of carriage require you to notify them.

You know, all the fine print you never bothered reading but agreed to.

 

[nalioth]

Both FedEx and UPS contracts of carriage require you to notify them.

You know, all the fine print you never bothered reading but agreed to.

Last I looked, FedUPS policies were not laws.

Again, those would fall under "civil litigation" if an argument needed presenting.

 

[dogtown tom]

nalioth

Quote:
Originally Posted by brickeyee
Both FedEx and UPS contracts of carriage require you to notify them.

You know, all the fine print you never bothered reading but agreed to.

Last I looked, FedUPS policies were not laws.

Again, those would fall under "civil litigation" if an argument needed presenting.

It will likely never make it to litigation..........when you choose to use a common carrier you are agreeing to abide by THEIR policies. Those policies can only be changed by the common carrier and not by you or the sixteen year old clerk at Bob's Pack-N-Ship.

 

[aHFo3]

I think I'll just declare it.

 

[brickeyee]

Again, those would fall under "civil litigation" if an argument needed presenting.

You treat all contract you sign this way?

Any insurance is void, and claims are void.

YOU violated the terms of carriage (AFTER AGREEING TO THEM).

 

[NavyLCDR]

Here we go.... AGAIN

 

[brickeyee]

The whole 'not declaring' is just dumb.

BY LAW they are NOT allowed to mark the package in any way to indicate it contains a firearm.

I use 1.5 cubic foot 'book boxes' top ship handguns.

It makes sure the otherwise small item is in a BIG package that is going to attract attention if an attempt is made to remove it from the shippers warehouse or if it is put aside for latter fooling with.

It also hides the fact that a small heavy object is in the package.

 

[TexasRifleman]

OK I believe the OP's question has been answered.

All this nonsense about not declaring is just silly.