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Old November 1, 2011, 09:06 PM   #4
carguychris
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Join Date: October 20, 2007
Location: Richardson, TX
Posts: 7,523
Quote:
I don't know if i can give the individual the gun to bring to the FFL or if i need to drop off, or can i mail it etc?
Here's the answer to the mailing question, culled from some earlier posts of mine, with some edits.

Federal law requires a FFL transfer on the receiving end. (Read FT's post above.) Although it's technically legal, not all FFLs accept shipments from unfamiliar nonlicensees; this is a private business decision to avoid potential legal hassles if the shipper's ID is illegitimate or missing, or the gun turns out to be stolen or illegally modified. ALWAYS check with the destination FFL before you ship, or they may reject the shipment!

03 C&R FFLs may accept C&R-eligible guns shipped directly from out-of-state nonlicensees, but the gun must be C&R for the shipment to be legal. Make sure there is no doubt about the gun's provenance before engaging in such a transaction.

Rifles and shotguns may be sent via US Mail including regular Parcel Post. You may run into ignorant postal clerks who claim it's not legal; ask them to look in the regulations or ask to see their supervisor. However, some people have reported having to try another post office. Rifles and shotguns may also be sent via UPS or FedEx ground, which is generally a bit cheaper, but you have to ship it from an actual company-operated hub, NOT from a drop box or one of their strip-center "UPS Store" locations, which are franchises and aren't authorized to handle firearms. Hubs can generally be found at your nearest commercial airport with scheduled airline service. The inconvenience of reaching a hub may be a deal-killer if you live in a rural area.

It's illegal for nonlicensees (you) and 03 FFL C&R licensees to send a handgun via the U.S. mail. Period. It's a violation of postal regulations. You may find some people who claim it's legal because it doesn't show up in the federal firearms regulations, but they're not looking in the right place. Only licensed dealers, manufacturers, and pawnbrokers may mail handguns.

Nonlicensees can send a handgun out-of-state via UPS or FedEx, but company regulations require that you send it Next Day Air rather than ground. (See above for dropoff restrictions.) Generally the cheapest option is UPS "Next Day Air Saver", which doesn't guarantee AM delivery, but will save you $8-$10. However, the package will still typically cost $35-$60 to the CONUS and substantially more to and from AK or HI.

Due to the expense and hassle, it's often cheaper and easier to send handguns via a Dealer FFL because they can ship in a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Box. Most handguns will easily fit in the "Medium" box and ship for ~$11 anywhere in the USA, including AK and HI- an instant ~$20-$30 savings over the cheapest UPS/FedEx rate. The cost savings compared to Next Day Air will probably offset the FFL transfer fee.

Some unethical folks will tell you "well, you can lie about what's in the package and send that handgun by UPS Ground...", but you will lose any hope of recovering any insurance compensation if the gun goes missing. Air shipments are subject to extra security, hence the policy.

By federal law, nobody can require you to label a package saying that it contains a firearm if it is going to a FFL for legal purposes. This applies to the USPS and common carriers equally.

*FOOTNOTE: The above post addresses conventional, modern, non-NFA firearms that fire commonplace metallic cartridge ammunition. Legal antiques, including modern muzzleloaders, are exempt from most of these restrictions. OTOH NFA firearms are subject to additional restrictions. The above may not apply if you are shipping such a firearm. YMMV.
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Last edited by carguychris; November 1, 2011 at 09:14 PM.
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