Shipping guns to yourself, do you need an FFL?

[CubDriver]

I am in a group of pilots that are planning on flying to Alaska this summer. We can carry shotguns through Canada for a small fee, but we cannot carry handguns. One of the guys in our party was saying that you simply box the handguns up and ship them to the first hotel you are planning on stopping at in Alaska. He said as long as you ship them with a carrier that will ship firearms you don’t need an FFL because you are shipping them to yourself.

Is this true? If so do you all have any advice on this practice?

Thanks,
David

 

[thatguy]

It's legal if you can get the carrier to accept the package. Most desk clerks at UPS and Fed-Ex (USPS too for that matter) don't know Shinola about gun laws or their own regs.

Only an FFL can mail a handgun, BTW. Others must use common carrier.

 

[sturmruger]

my plan

I have bought and sold a few handguns over the last few months. My favorite way to ship pistols is with UPS. I will ship ground usually to save a few bucks. If anyone asks what i have in the box I say machine parts.

 

[wdlsguy]

It's legal if you can get the carrier to accept the package.

+1

Q: May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity?

A: Yes. A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the state where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b10

Only an FFL can mail a handgun, BTW. Others must use common carrier.

+1

 

[Flatfender]

I have bought and sold a few handguns over the last few months. My favorite way to ship pistols is with UPS. I will ship ground usually to save a few bucks. If anyone asks what i have in the box I say machine parts.

Lawbreaker!

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.

In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.
[18 U. S. C. 922( a)( 2)( A) and 922( e), 27 CFR 178.3

 

[CubDriver]

So to clarify the question: I live in the continental US, I am going to be flying a private airplane through Canada to Alaska. Since I cannot carry a handgun with me through Canada, can I ship the handgun to myself in Alaska?

Sounds like the answer is in the quote:

Only an FFL can mail a handgun, BTW. Others must use common carrier.

Does this mean that I (a non FFL) can ship it to myself in another state via UPS or FedEx or a similar company (anything but USPS) as long as it’s not against their policy?

Thanks for the help,
-David

 

[SIOP]

I have bought and sold a few handguns over the last few months. My favorite way to ship pistols is with UPS. I will ship ground usually to save a few bucks. If anyone asks what i have in the box I say machine parts.

Good luck collecting insurance when one gets lost or damaged. You violated the terms of service, also.

 

[wdlsguy]

Does this mean that I (a non FFL) can ship it to myself in another state via UPS or FedEx or a similar company (anything but USPS) as long as it’s not against their policy?

Yes. Ship it to yourself c/o someone on the other end.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b10

 

[CubDriver]

Cool, thanks for the help!

-David

 

[CubDriver]

Before I go start researching shipping policies, does anyone know off the top of their head of a shipper that would accept a handgun to ship?

-David

 

[Car Knocker]

Unless one of them has changed policy very recently, both Fedex and UPS will ship handguns. DHL will not. Each company has specific policies in place that should be consulted. You cannot ship a handgun from a UPS Store, only from their service centers (their policy).

 

[Tomekeuro85]

This doesn't have to do with shipping handguns, but when I went to the post office to ship my rifle, the workers there had absolutely no idea what to do with it. I went home and called the corporate office or whatever, and they redirected my call about 8 times and not a single person knew what to do with it, so I just did it to the best of my ability. Not only that, but when I told the worker there was a gun in the box, she freaked out ... " Ohh my goodness... I'm not touching it". I was like come on here, grow up.

 

[Tomekeuro85]

oops... double post so I deleted this one.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm

Actually, federal law does not require notifying the carrier it is a firearm if shipping to a FFL.

 

[ScottS]

Actually, federal law does not require notifying the carrier it is a firearm if shipping to a FFL.

Correct, but you can go even farther...Federal law does not require you to notify the carrier if the shipment is to a recipient lawfully entitled to receive the firearm, including the ship-it-to- yourself scenario described above.

Carrier TOS is another story, but we're talking law here.


EDITED TO ADD: I'm no longer sure you can ship it to yourself without notifying the carrier. I get so used to being a "licesensed collector" I tend to think everyone has a C&R FFL. It seems that as long as your're shipping to a licensee, there is no need to notify. When in doubt, back to the BATF's read on the subject:

 

[wdlsguy]

Federal law does not require you to notify the carrier if the shipment is to a recipient lawfully entitled to receive the firearm, including the ship-it-to- yourself scenario described above.

I tried to parse the relevant section of the U.S. Code but gave up. Whoever wrote it should be sentenced to remedial English:

18 USC Sec. 922
...
(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; except that any passenger who owns or legally possesses a firearm or ammunition being transported aboard any common or contract carrier for movement with the passenger in interstate or foreign commerce may deliver said firearm or ammunition into the custody of the pilot, captain, conductor or operator of such common or contract carrier for the duration of the trip without violating any of the provisions of this chapter. No common or contract carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other container that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm.

See what I mean?

 

[larry_minn]

IS the plane (planning) to land in CANADA? I have a relative who is in Alaska. He is a bush pilot who claims he is REQUIRED to have a firearm in plane. He said he added a belly tank (fiberglass) so he can fly from AK to CONUS without refueling. Otherwise he was cutting it too fine if winds were against him.
Even then IF he had planned (flight plan) no stops in Canada but had to divert they would require him to remain in aircraft (NOBODY CAN GET OUT) and the would refuel/allow him to take off with no problem IF anyone wanted to get out/stretch legs/check plane he said there had to be government person /fees/etc. Like I said he does not land in Canada (unless he would have engine/passanger/etc trouble.
Check if flight is going OVER. (like a commercail flight would be)
This said I HAVE to fly back and do a layover in Chicago. I have flown with firearms many times but CHICAGO>>>>>>> I may just send it back to myself.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

So to clarify the question: I live in the continental US, I am going to be flying a private airplane through Canada to Alaska. Since I cannot carry a handgun with me through Canada, can I ship the handgun to myself in Alaska?

Sounds like the answer is in the quote:


Does this mean that I (a non FFL) can ship it to myself in another state via UPS or FedEx or a similar company (anything but USPS) as long as it’s not against their policy?

Thanks for the help,
-David

Yes ...