mailing a rifle?

[crickenbergerc]

I'm working out of state, can I have my wife mail me one of my rifles, or do need her to send it to a FFL and pick it up from them?

 

[NavyLCDR]

I'm working out of state, can I have my wife mail me one of my rifles, or do need her to send it to a FFL and pick it up from them?

Has to go to an FFL. Only you can mail a firearm to yourself in another state. Make sure the FFL is good with receiving it and transferring it to you - for a rifle/shotgun an FFL can transfer it to an out-of-state resident only if the state laws of both the FFL and the recipient are complied with. Other than a rifle/shotgun would be no way - it would not be legal for an FFL to transfer it to an out-of-state resident.

 

[JeanP]

She can also break it down and mail the parts in separate boxes. It is legal to mail gun parts...just not the whole gun.

 

[NavyLCDR]

She can also break it down and mail the parts in separate boxes. It is legal to mail gun parts...just not the whole gun.

Sure, and then he just has to buy the receiver from an FFL locally for use with all the other parts that she shipped to him because the receiver IS the firearm by Federal definition which would be illegal for her to mail/ship to anyone else out-of-state other than an FFL. Seems like a hell of a lot of extra trouble to me when he has to go to the FFL anyway to have a receiver transferred to him + the cost of the new receiver. Heck, while he is there shopping for a receiver for all the firearms parts that she shipped to him, wouldn't it be easier to just get the whole gun transferred to him there that she shipped to the FFL?

 

[crickenbergerc]

Thank you for the info.

 

[Rich78]

I actually shipped a rifle out of state to the manufacturer for repair. They then shipped it directly to my home via UPS. All that was required was an adult signature.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I actually shipped a rifle out of state to the manufacturer for repair. They then shipped it directly to my home via UPS. All that was required was an adult signature.

And what does that have to do with the OP's question? NOTHING. Entirely different set of circumstances.

 

[JeanP]

Oh shoot (pun intended)! You're right. I totally did not think of the receiver (assuming it is an AR type rifle he wants to ship). But, that brings up another question. What if it is "just" any rifle? Like a 30-06 or whatever. Many years ago, I was told you could ship broken down to private party. Guess the law has changed. Thanks for clearing that up.

This is why I like this forum. I have learned so much from the posts here. You people are the best.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Oh shoot (pun intended)! You're right. I totally did not think of the receiver (assuming it is an AR type rifle he wants to ship). But, that brings up another question. What if it is "just" any rifle? Like a 30-06 or whatever. Many years ago, I was told you could ship broken down to private party. Guess the law has changed. Thanks for clearing that up.

This is why I like this forum. I have learned so much from the posts here. You people are the best.

18 USC 921:
18 U.S. Code § 921 - Definitions | LII / Legal Information Institute

18 U.S. Code § 921 - Definitions

(a) As used in this chapter—
(3) The term “firearm” means
(A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive;
(B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon;
(C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or
(D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm.

UPS Terms and Conditions of Service:
Link Removed

Firearm parts, which do not constitute firearms as defined under federal law (including without limitation Title 18, Chapter 44, and Title 26, Chapter 53 of the United States Code), and which otherwise comply with federal, state, and local law, will be accepted for transportation.

FEDEX Terms and Conditions:
http://www.fedex.com/us/service-guide/terms/express-ground/index.html

FedEx Ground will transport and deliver firearms (excluding handguns) as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, between areas served in the U.S., but only between:

Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof; or
Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).

US Post Office Domestic Mail Manual:
Link Removed

12.1.1 Definitions

The terms used in this standard are defined as follows:

a. Firearm means any device, including a starter gun, which will, or is designed to, or may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device; but the term shall not include antique firearms (except antique firearms described under 12.1.1c and 12.1.1d).

b. Firearm frame or receiver is the part of a firearm which provides housing for the hammer, bolt or breechblock, and firing mechanism, and which is usually threaded at its forward portion to receive the barrel.

 

[NavyLCDR]

And the Federal law which requires written notification be provided to UPS or FEDEX if you are shipping a firearm out-of-state to anyone other than an FFL:
18 USC 922(e):
18 U.S. Code § 922 - Unlawful acts | LII / Legal Information Institute

18 U.S. Code § 922 - Unlawful acts

(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;

 

[Rich78]

Shipping guns? Remember federal law 18 USC 922(e); 27 CFR 47831(a) requires a non-licensee to provide written notice to the common carrier (FedEx, UPS, etc.) that the package contains a firearm. This means that all you have to do is inform the carrier of the contents. No FFL required.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Shipping guns? Remember federal law 18 USC 922(e); 27 CFR 47831(a) requires a non-licensee to provide written notice to the common carrier (FedEx, UPS, etc.) that the package contains a firearm. This means that all you have to do is inform the carrier of the contents. No FFL required.

and then UPS or FedEx will deny the shipment because it is going between two non-FFLs in different states against their terms and conditions.

 

[Rich78]

Well I've used them both. One for a handgun and one for a rifle with absolutely no problems whatsoever. Do some research before you flame someone's post. You cannot ship a handgun via USPS however.

 

[S&W645]

Well I've used them both. One for a handgun and one for a rifle with absolutely no problems whatsoever. Do some research before you flame someone's post. You cannot ship a handgun via USPS however.

Did the handgun go to a non-FFL in another state as a sale?

 

[Rich78]

No but the OP isn't sending the rifle as a sale

 

[NavyLCDR]

Well I've used them both. One for a handgun and one for a rifle with absolutely no problems whatsoever. Do some research before you flame someone's post. You cannot ship a handgun via USPS however.

You don't have the capacity to understand that shipping a firearm to an FFL is an entirely different situation than shipping a firearm to a private party both legally and by the terms and conditions of the carrier.

I actually shipped a rifle out of state to the manufacturer for repair. They then shipped it directly to my home via UPS. All that was required was an adult signature.

The OP isn't sending the rifle as a sale - but the OP was also not asking about sending a firearm to an FFL either.

 

[Rich78]

You simply need to bring the unloaded firearm to a UPS Store that will accept firearms - and ship it to him. (Not all UPS Stores accept firearms - only the larger central ones do). There are no forms, no registrations, because this is going from one member of the family to another. Likewise, you can call UPS and they will pick it up at your home - providing you have it boxed up and ready to go. Don't forget to insure it.

You do not need to use an FFL dealer. That is only necessary if you are buying a firearm from a stranger in another state.

Federal law provides that firearms can be transfered or 'handed down' within a family without need of any paperwork. Only excepts are machine guns, silencers, and destructive devices - these are transfered for free on a NFA Form 1 when a relative passes away and the device is handed down.

 

[NavyLCDR]

You simply need to bring the unloaded firearm to a UPS Store that will accept firearms - and ship it to him. (Not all UPS Stores accept firearms - only the larger central ones do). There are no forms, no registrations, because this is going from one member of the family to another. Likewise, you can call UPS and they will pick it up at your home - providing you have it boxed up and ready to go. Don't forget to insure it.

You do not need to use an FFL dealer. That is only necessary if you are buying a firearm from a stranger in another state.

Federal law provides that firearms can be transfered or 'handed down' within a family without need of any paperwork. Only excepts are machine guns, silencers, and destructive devices - these are transfered for free on a NFA Form 1 when a relative passes away and the device is handed down.

About 2% of that post is correct and does not violate Federal law or UPS/FedEX terms of service or USPS Regulations. The other 98% is pure B.S., if the sender/receiver want to comply with the applicable rules, regulations and laws. The facts, with references, are posted in posts #9 and #10 for those that wish to comply with the rules, regulations, and laws.

For example, the very first sentence is B.S:

You simply need to bring the unloaded firearm to a UPS Store that will accept firearms - and ship it to him. (Not all UPS Stores accept firearms - only the larger central ones do). There are no forms, no registrations, because this is going from one member of the family to another. Likewise, you can call UPS and they will pick it up at your home - providing you have it boxed up and ready to go.

1. No UPS store will accept firearms:
http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.html

Note: Firearms (including handguns) are not accepted for shipment via UPS Drop Boxes, UPS On-Call Pickup[SUP]®[/SUP], or at locations of The UPS Store[SUP]®[/SUP] or any third party retailer.

2. UPS will not accept firearms being shipped between two private parties:
Link Removed

UPS accepts packages containing firearms (as defined by Title 18, Chapter 44, and Title 26,

Chapter 53 of the United States Code) only (a) between licensed importers, licensed

manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors (as defined in Title 18, Chapter 44 of the

United States Code), and government agencies; and (b) where not otherwise prohibited by

federal, state, or local law from (i) an individual to a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer,

licensed dealer or licensed collector; and (ii) from a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer,

licensed dealer, or licensed collector to an individual.

3. Federal law, posted in post #10, requires the sender to notify UPS IN WRITING that the package contains a firearm.

and that is just the beginning of the B.S.

 

[crickenbergerc]

I called the usps, they said that as long as I was already the owner of the rifle that it could be sent straight to me, no FFL required. They didn't even give my wife any hassle when she dropped it off, but then again it was sent from Idaho(gun friendly)

 

[NavyLCDR]

I called the usps, they said that as long as I was already the owner of the rifle that it could be sent straight to me, no FFL required. They didn't even give my wife any hassle when she dropped it off, but then again it was sent from Idaho(gun friendly)

Glad it worked out for you. Still violated Federal law, though.