Shipping a rifle at the post office

[mshootnit]

If the box is long enough and the right shape its obviously a good chance its a rifle. They might ask if its a firearm. If they do I would be obligated not to lie. If they know its a firearm their policy states that they can require that the firearm be checked to be sure it is unloaded. My postmaster has twice doen this to me and once it was a very tactical looking AK-74 that had everybody on edge, even me! Funny! Now my blood pressure shoots up if I have to walk in there but since I have a FFL-03 I fell a little bit better about it.

 

[nalioth]

Walk on in with your box under your arm, wait in line, get to the front, and politely inform them that you are shipping a long gun.

Why?

No law or regulation requires you to declare firearms at the post office.

I didn't know that I didn't have to tell them what's in the box. Do they ask what it is if you're insuring it? If so can I give a vague answer like "machine parts", or should I just tell them it's a rifle?

They will only ask "Any liquids, fragile items or hazardous items?"

None of those represent a firearm legally packed for shipment (i.e. not with ammo).



A lot of you guys bring the hassle on yourselves.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Ok, so I'm confused...I want to purchase a used rifle from an individual within the state of Tennessee to be shipped to me on the other end of Tennessee. Can he ship it to me via USPS?

Yes.

A lot of you guys bring the hassle on yourselves.

Also true.

 

[Cosmoline]

What do you do when they DO refuse?

Go to another PO and ship it there.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

They will only ask "Any liquids, fragile items or hazardous items?"

That is all I have been asked. On the occassions that they knew it was a rifle they only asked if it was dissassembled. I always remove the bolt for shipping so I answer affirmative. I have never been asked to prove it.

 

[dogtown tom]

jimmyraythomason That is all I have been asked. On the occassions that they knew it was a rifle they only asked if it was dissassembled. I always remove the bolt for shipping so I answer affirmative. I have never been asked to prove it.

There is no ATF/USPS/UPS/FedEx regulation that requires the bolt be removed or the gun disassembled.....only that it be unloaded.

Postal/FedEx/UPS clerks can sure come up with "interesting" questions when they don't have a clue what to ask.