Shipping/mailing a long gun?

[45Badger]

I may be selling a rifle to a buyer in another part of the country. Trying to keep costs low for both parties.

Question-

Can a private seller (non FFL) ship a long gun to an FFL in another, non-adjoining state via US Postal Service?

I THINK I can. I cannot find anything on BATFE or USPS websites stating otherwise.

Anyone know for sure? If answer is no, can you please direct me to your info source?

Thanks!

 

[wasrjoe]

Yes, you can. I did so a couple of weeks ago, twice.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Selected quotes from the BATF(E) web site

From Item B8 - "A nonlicensee may not transfer any firearm to a nonlicensed resident of another state." (pretty clear, isn't it - and by "transfer" they mean change of ownership)

From Item B9 - "A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by carrier to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state." (emphasis added, and note that it specifically names licensees for state-to-state transfers)

In short, if it involves a transfer of ownership and it crosses state lines it has to be shipped to an FFL for the new owner to receive it. There are exceptions for shipping it to a repair facility or for non-sale purposes like hunting or a competition. Those issues are covered in other sections of the above web site.

There are also exceptions noted for some state laws, but if no state laws apply then the feds require interstate transfers to be shipped as noted above.