[michaelfm]

Here is some additional information regarding shipping laws for handguns.

http://1bad69.com/keltec/shipping.htm

Also, see the gunbroker link- shipping guide.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Support/SupportFAQView.asp?FAQID=1118&NoCount=1

 

[KaiGywer]

Would be great if you could also make a quick summary of shipping ammo

 

[Qwiks draw]

Remember that this is a guideline only. Not a comprehensive rules collection. There may be other regulations or parts of that also are at the BATF web site.A lot of the periodicals that are monthly or annual also have shipping info from time to time. Requesting info from them and the state attorney general can keep your chestnuts out of the fire.

 

[sig-9]

Thank you for the info

 

[AZ_Ref]

Great links, thanks.

 

[Flyer]

I do want to point out, it is not a law that you must ship a firearm overnight. It is only company policy of the carriers. If you are shipping 'machined parts' or other such items, then you don't have to pay for overnight shipping.

 

[Steelheart]

But if something happens, it could be more difficult to get the insurance claim. I think I heard of this happening but have no idea who/when/where.

Steelheart

 

[Flyer]

Interesting point ..

If the gun wasn't working and/or disassembled, would it still be considered a gun. I mean .. machined parts is kinda vague.

 

[Qwiks draw]

Somwhere along the line UPS,FEDX, and the Post Office all decided that because of being truthful other designations cannot or will not be used.Guns or gun has to show up on the ticket or designation. Some said the law prevented this or insurance claims couldn't be cleared up because of this.

No more machine parts, projectile dispenser, or other inventive descriptions can be, or are supposed to be allowed.

 

[Pierce]

If the gun wasn't working and/or disassembled, would it still be considered a gun. I mean .. machined parts is kinda vague.

I am pretty sure that if you ship a gun, even detailed stripped, and don't tell the carrier it is a pistol you would be in some pretty hot water with the federal government if the carrier found out there was a gun in the box. In fact, if I wanted to sell you a pistol frame and ship it to you, I would have to ship it to a licensed dealer if you didn't have your own FFL. Imagine what would happen if that frame was shipped and wasn't described as a pistol frame, and I got caught, all because I wanted to circumvent the law requiring that the frame must go through the hands of someone with an FFL?

Having just dealt with shipping my PT1911 to get it refinished, I asked the UPS clerk what Federal law required me to ship my gun next day. His answer was very honest. He told me there was no specific law, but that the company policy to ship overnight was enforced primarily for insurance reasons. Using my situation as an example, if my gun was stolen by an employee, or lost then stolen, and used in a crime, not only could I sue the company for more than the covered insurance dollars, but the victims of the crime could sue the company. Heck, in this day and age the criminal could sue the company for having such lax standards making it too easy for the theft of the gun; thereby enabling the criminal to act!

So, as was explained to me, to avoid the theft or loss of the firearm, UPS (and the other carriers) requires next day shipping in order to keep the firearm as secure as possible, and in less hands. For them it is a game of "hot potato" and we pay to ensure they don't get burned.

 

[mrglock]

Great information Pierce, I didn't even think of someone within the shipping company getting a hold of the firearm; good point!

 

[Steelheart]

And not everyone who works there understands about firearms. I just remembered a story a friend told one time (he works as a manager with a larger truck shipping company). They had a pallet with, I think it was FAL, build kits but they did not contain a receiver just everything else. The dock workers didn't want to ship the pallet as they thought it contained actual firearms, not just parts (trying to follow regs). My friend had to open the pallet and one of the kits to roughly assemble the thing so that they could see that it was not a complete firearm. They then boxed the whole thing back up and sent it on its way.

Steelheart

 

[Pierce]

And not everyone who works there understands about firearms.

That is so true. When my PT1911 was "lost" by DHL, I talked with two managers who insisted that DHL doesn't ship firearms. When I kindly explained to them that their printed company rule is that they will, and do, ship firearms domestically they were surprised... and educated!

UPS was sooooo much better when I shipped my gun. When I told the staff I was shipping a gun they knew exactly what to do and understood their corporate policy well.

I know I will never ship via DHL again! lol

 

[8times.357]

I emailed an inquiry to the State Police, about any particular laws Virginia may have in regards to shipping a handgun. They replied in less than 24 hours. They pretty much deferred to the ATF regs. Here is the reply:

Dear Sir,

The shipment of firearms is governed by federal law. The following may be of assistance:

A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. [18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract 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), 922(a) (3),

http://www.atf.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/2005/p53004/index.htm

Sincerely,

**********, Manager
Firearms Transaction Center
Virginia Department of State Police
Tel: (804) ********
Fax: (804) ********
********@vsp.virginia.gov

 

[8times.357]

Shipped a handgun yesterday for the 1st time. Went to the local UPS depot, the lady was helpful and courteous, asked to see copy of the FFL - which I had - of course.

No problem except for the cost.

$55 1 Day Saver shipping, included insurance for $500. Was charged for 6 lbs (could have shipped 2-3 for the same cost!). I was told at a local gun shop that they can ship much cheaper via USPS, of course they have an additional fee, but if it costs the same or less it may be well worth it.

 

[propellerhead]

I shipped "machine parts" back to Keltec the other day for $7.90.

 

[kingofwylietx]

Also, if you were to disassemble a pistol, some parts could be sent as normal freight, but you will have or 2 parts that are considered the same as a 'whole' pistol. I'd have to review the regulations again (I have only shipped whole guns), but I think that anything with the serial number stamped on it is considered the same as the 'whole firearm'. Anyone can feel free to correct me on this. Also, firearms must be signed for by an adult, which is typically an additional charge.

 

[worthirt_99]

Not everything with a serial number is considered a 'whole firearm'. I do alot in mil-surp weapons, on some of the mil-surps the country would stamp many different parts with the serial number. I think the reasoning was to verify the age of the parts and what weapon they belonged to. For some of the older weapons the mag was stamped on the bottom. I called TX DPS on this and was told that item could go the machine parts route and I wouldn't get into trouble for it. The parts that they usually worry about the most are the 'slide' and the body of the weapon.

Edit: a silencer is considered a firearm by the ATF.

 

[Madcow]

If you want to mail through the Postal Service here's the guidelines that's in the Domestic Mail Manual.
http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm#wp1065406

 

[alfsauve]

By federal law the "frame" is the firearm. The other pieces, slide, barrel are just that, parts. So, though it makes little difference, you could make two shipments. One with the heavier items (barrel and slide) that are not regulated and the other with the frame that is a "gun".

My experience (3 times) with the local UPS is has been indifference. Maybe because the clerk's first language wasn't the same as mine. I never put "GUN" on the paperwork, but "firearm". Yes is small, but legible letters. In all three cases, including 2 handguns, the clerk just processed it like any other next day overnight with adult signature required. No questions were asked.