USPS - Accidently Shipped Long Gun out of state (Need Advice?)

doctorj77 · September 21, 2011, 11:40 AM

I don't know if this belongs in General or Law. So Admins, forgive me if incorrect and move if applicable.

So from another forum, I have made a purchase from a member. He was mailing me two long guns in the mail. In Michigan that is legal, no FFL, as long as it stays within state lines, and long guns only. Done it before. Had no problems in the past doing it.

But, something has happened here. I requested the seller to supply me with a Tracking #. Which he did two days ago.. According to the USPS, it has a expected delivery of 9/22, tomorrow. I went out and checked the status of it today, and find out it arrived at a sorting facility in PA. ***

?

So I contacted the seller today and he verified he used my address that I supplied, in MI. So only thing I can think of is this possibly is a redirect because of sorting facility issues.

Anyway, my question is, whats the legal ramifications here? Both Seller and Buyer have obeyed ATF rules and State laws on this transaction. But if for some reason the usps redirects it out of state, for whatever reason, who's liable? And for what? I don't imagine me as a buyer would be in trouble. But the seller, well, he's worried he might get a knock on the door from the ATF now.

I guess we'll find out tomorrow on the supposed delivery date. I just never expected this. Does anyone have any suggestions why the package may have been redirected? I know one plausible answer is the Seller simply sent to the wrong address. But I've dealt with him before. And as result, I have confidence he's not that stupid and did send to right one.

Edit: Just found out it arrived back into Michigan now. But it clearly says it went from MI, to PA, and now back to MI. Guess I can't expect too much from a Government ran organization.

Doyle · September 21, 2011, 11:52 AM

Fed rules govern the "Transfer" of ownership with the state and intrastate. It doesn't care what route the carrier took to get them there. You are OK.

Hardcase · September 21, 2011, 12:34 PM

Doyle's succinct answer is spot on - I just figured I'd add my voice for emphasis.

C0untZer0 · September 21, 2011, 12:39 PM

If the feds do knock on your door you have 75% chance that they're there inquiring abut tobacco, alcohol and / or explosives.

oneounceload · September 21, 2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Edit: Just found out it arrived back into Michigan now. But it clearly says it went from MI, to PA, and now back to MI. Guess I can't expect too much from a Government ran organization.

And Fedex runs every package through Memphis -so what? If their logistics gurus have done their studies showing that is the best way to handle it, so be it - point is, YOU are not on the hook because of that.

dogtown tom · September 21, 2011, 10:53 PM

Quote:

doctorj77 ....But, something has happened here. I requested the seller to supply me with Tracking #. Which he did two days ago.. According to the USPS, it has a expected delivery of 9/22, tomorrow. I went out and checked the status of it today, and find out it arrived at a sorting facility in PA. *** ?
......Edit: Just found out it arrived back into Michigan now. But it clearly says it went from MI, to PA, and now back to MI. Guess I can't expect too much from a Government ran organization. .......

USPS has contracts with both FedEx and UPS.
Odds are that either UPS or FedEx has a sorting facility in PA.

Mr. James · September 21, 2011, 11:31 PM

You're good to go. Neither you nor the FFL shipped it to any of those third states. USPS (or FedEx or UPS or whoever) shipped it there. The transfer at this point is between one FFL and another. What route it took to get there is immaterial.

natman · September 22, 2011, 03:11 AM

The important point is that both buyer and seller are residents of the same state.

How the shipper routes the package is immaterial.

Dr. Strangelove · September 22, 2011, 03:56 AM

Standard shipping procedure. I used to work for a major freight line in Florida, on the west coast. Even in-state, everything went through the hub in Atlanta, unless it was a full truck.

doctorj77 · September 22, 2011, 08:00 AM

Thank you every for their input. Its been about 7-8yrs since I mailed, or received a long gun thru the mail. So this just raised my attention was all. But its good advice from all.

Thank you

September 21, 2011, 11:40 AM	#1
doctorj77 Member Join Date: June 5, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 46	USPS - Accidently Shipped Long Gun out of state (Need Advice?) I don't know if this belongs in General or Law. So Admins, forgive me if incorrect and move if applicable. So from another forum, I have made a purchase from a member. He was mailing me two long guns in the mail. In Michigan that is legal, no FFL, as long as it stays within state lines, and long guns only. Done it before. Had no problems in the past doing it. But, something has happened here. I requested the seller to supply me with a Tracking #. Which he did two days ago.. According to the USPS, it has a expected delivery of 9/22, tomorrow. I went out and checked the status of it today, and find out it arrived at a sorting facility in PA. * ? So I contacted the seller today and he verified he used my address that I supplied, in MI. So only thing I can think of is this possibly is a redirect because of sorting facility issues. Anyway, my question is, whats the legal ramifications here? Both Seller and Buyer have obeyed ATF rules and State laws on this transaction. But if for some reason the usps redirects it out of state, for whatever reason, who's liable? And for what? I don't imagine me as a buyer would be in trouble. But the seller, well, he's worried he might get a knock on the door from the ATF now. I guess we'll find out tomorrow on the supposed delivery date. I just never expected this. Does anyone have any suggestions why the package may have been redirected? I know one plausible answer is the Seller simply sent to the wrong address. But I've dealt with him before. And as result, I have confidence he's not that stupid and did send to right one. Edit: Just found out it arrived back into Michigan now. But it clearly says it went from MI, to PA, and now back to MI. Guess I can't expect too much from a Government ran organization.**

September 21, 2011, 12:34 PM	#3
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	Doyle's succinct answer is spot on - I just figured I'd add my voice for emphasis. __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

September 21, 2011, 12:39 PM	#4
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	Don't worry too much If the feds do knock on your door you have 75% chance that they're there inquiring abut tobacco, alcohol and / or explosives.

September 21, 2011, 11:31 PM	#7
Mr. James Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2001 Location: The Old Dominion Posts: 1,521	You're good to go. Neither you nor the FFL shipped it to any of those third states. USPS (or FedEx or UPS or whoever) shipped it there. The transfer at this point is between one FFL and another. What route it took to get there is immaterial. __________________ "...A humble and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Ps. li "When law and morality contradict each other, the citizen has the cruel alternative of either losing his moral sense or losing his respect for the law." —Frederic Bastiat

September 22, 2011, 03:56 AM	#9
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	Standard shipping procedure. I used to work for a major freight line in Florida, on the west coast. Even in-state, everything went through the hub in Atlanta, unless it was a full truck. __________________ Just remember, when you pull the trigger, the bullets come out going very, very fast. So make sure to keep the weapon pointing away from you.

September 21, 2011, 11:52 AM	#2
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Fed rules govern the "Transfer" of ownership with the state and intrastate. It doesn't care what route the carrier took to get them there. You are OK.

September 22, 2011, 03:11 AM	#8
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,606	The important point is that both buyer and seller are residents of the same state. How the shipper routes the package is immaterial.

September 22, 2011, 08:00 AM	#10
doctorj77 Member Join Date: June 5, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 46	Thank you every for their input. Its been about 7-8yrs since I mailed, or received a long gun thru the mail. So this just raised my attention was all. But its good advice from all. Thank you