Checked with my driver re:UPS refusing to ship firearms

[mjsdwash]

Its always possible this was an intentional screw up, just to see what was going on with public opinion. Have some intern send a deniable letter, see how people react, probably get a contract from some kickback politician.

We should never forget the NTSB gave out the "names" of the Asiana flight 214 crew to the media -though not quite the same, but mistakes can happen. In this case a dumb prank from an intern became the official story.

 

[Frank Ettin]

Has anyone checked with UPS? Yep, UPS refuses to ship unfinished receivers that lack serial numbers.

How To Ship Firearms | UPS - United States

What it says, exactly is (emphasis added):

...UPS does not accept firearms (including handguns) and firearm parts for shipment domestically unless (1) such shipments are in full compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, including, without limitation, age restrictions; (2) such firearms, including any partially complete, disassembled, or nonfunctional frame or receiver (as defined by 27 CFR § 478.12) have been identified and bear a serial number in a manner that complies with federal law; and (3) such firearm parts within a package cannot be assembled to form a firearm......

So UPS is merely stating a policy only to accept for shipping firearms or firearm parts that comply with federal law. One can hardly fault a major common carrier for having such a policy.

But such policy doesn't not validate the letter cancelling an account and threatening to destroy other's property.

 

[Frank Ettin]

Its always possible this was an intentional screw up, just to see what was going on with public opinion. Have some intern send a deniable letter, see how people react, probably get a contract from some kickback politician....

But of course since you have no evidence to support your statement, you're just guessing.

 

[Otto]

This all started with with a letter sent to Ghost Firearms. Is it authentic? Did Brownells receive one as well? Possibly, but I doubt it.
Thanks to the Internet, a single letter can go viral in a matter of minutes.

 

[N555]

We are about 7 days past the point where someone should have made a statement confining it's true or that it was fake news.

This also come out exactly the same time as a sky news hit piece on 3d printed and ghost guns.

 

[bdickens]

This all started with with a letter sent to Ghost Firearms. Is it authentic? Did Brownells receive one as well? Possibly, but I doubt it.
Thanks to the Internet, a single letter can go viral in a matter of minutes.

View attachment 1088793

I'm going to come right out and say it: that "letter" is a forgery. And not a very good one either.

 

[Frank Ettin]

We are about 7 days past the point where someone should have made a statement confining it's true or that it was fake news….

That’s also a guess.

Personally, I’m not surprised that UPS hasn’t issued a formal statement regarding the letter. Sometimes responding to a malicious rumor merely keeps the rumor alive.

 

[Sniper66]

A foolish rumor

 

[CapnMac]

Why isn't the letter addressed to a specific person at Ghost Firearms?

Especially given that "Ghost Firearms" changed it's name to "GRID Firearms" over a year ago . . .

This, too could explain UPS's "silence" on this, they checked their list and do not have a "Ghost Firearms" as a customer (any more). If someone accused Olin-Winchester of selling ammo to Umbrella Corporation, would they deny that (especially at the risk of offendign their Marvel fans customers ).

 

[BushMaster-15]

A Ghost firearm ,come now aren't we all a little old to believe in ghosts ? . I for one have #100's of Gun parts factory no less ,without serial numbers !. UPS FedEx and USPS didn't have any issues with shipping any of them . The ONLY shipping problems I'm Personally aware of with in the USA ,are Communist Blue States with regards to near everything !. They're where the restrictions are problematic . Just My opinion .

 

[dogtown tom]

A Ghost firearm ,come now aren't we all a little old to believe in ghosts ? . I for one have #100's of Gun parts factory no less ,without serial numbers !. UPS FedEx and USPS didn't have any issues with shipping any of them . The ONLY shipping problems I'm Personally aware of with in the USA ,are Communist Blue States with regards to near everything !. They're where the restrictions are problematic . Just My opinion .

You are missing the point.
Having a bunch of springs, hammers, firing pins, Johnson rods or triggers without serial numbers isn't what the media refers to as "ghost guns". And isn't what UPS is referring to in their policy changes. ATF refers to them as Privately Made Firearms. They don't require a serial# except as detailed in the new ATF regulations.

A person can make all the PMF's he wants, but if you ship one via UPS, their new policy considers them the same as any other firearm that does require a serial#. In short, no serial# on what federal law considers a firearm..........you can't ship with us unless you follow our policies.

 

[N555]

How about an open letter threatening shippers?
I knew they were going to try and roll out their new, illegal frames and receivers rule early, somehow.


Mmmmk dew it, I dare you. Now everything goes underground, person to person, machine to person or between me myself and I.
We win.

 

[rust collector]

Nothing new here, and not related to claimed UPS letter. Clumsy attempt by 5 Democrat politicians to intimidate shippers and demand information which there is no obligation to collect or provide.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

And I still doubt that the letter is authentic.
...

And for a lot of good reasons. Yet, the internet was on fire by woke gun owners screaming about the wrongs of UPS.

We have uninformed people on gun boards claiming UPS is destroying shipments and doing all kinds of horrible stuff.

Exactly.

A foolish rumor

Yet people knew it to be true and credible.

 

[mjsdwash]

But of course since you have no evidence to support your statement, you're just guessing.

yes, exactly. Sorry if I implies anything else. I meant this message as a "well maybe", and certainly NOT meant as a statement of fact. Sorry if I mislead.

 

[hso]

Folks,

That's obviously fake. It lacks contact information for "Customer Compliance". Try to find UPS "Customer Compliance". You won't find a fit. The letter lacks an account number for the account being cancelled. You don't seize and destroy any package when you don't know what's in it. How gullible are we?

 

[Jethro1200]

Not that this is proof positive to any of y'all but this is the answer I received from my inquiry to Brownell's about UPS.

Thank you for contacting Brownells. We apologize for the delayed response.
Currently, UPS is not a shipping option for Brownells.
Please contact us for further assistance or questions.
Thank you,
Kylee

 

[Frank Ettin]

Not that this is proof positive to any of y'all but this is the answer I received from my inquiry to Brownell's about UPS.

Thank you for contacting Brownells. We apologize for the delayed response.
Currently, UPS is not a shipping option for Brownells.....

No, it's not proof of anything except that Brownells is not currently shipping with UPS. Why? We don't know.

 

[Jethro1200]

Like I said, not proof, but it is more than passingly strange that Brownell's after many years suddenly quits using what is generally the most economical/ timely shipping method. I find it interesting, to say the least, that Brownells answer to my question, "Is Brownel's still able to ship by UPS? There have been reports that UPS has suspended shipments from Brownels." is so brief and no further details are given. The why will be an interesting development. I probably buried the lead by not stating the question I had asked.

 

[Frank Ettin]

..I find it interesting, to say the least, that Brownells answer to my question, "Is Brownel's still able to ship by UPS? There have been reports that UPS has suspended shipments from Brownels." is so brief and no further details are given. ...

Why do you think that Brownells owes you an explanation of the reasons for its business decisions? Why would a company like Brownells instruct its customer service to provide a more a detailed explanation?

 

[rust collector]

These types of decisions are made frequently in an ever-changing sea of variables in logistics. Transporter may be discontinuing a service previously used, may have proposed a fuel or other surcharge, or may have become noncompetitive for any number of reasons. The seller decision may be based upon rates, delivery times, complaints from customers, negotiating tactics, marketing decisions, capacity and competition among carriers, differing interpretations of the effect and impact of laws and rulemaking, risk apportionment, or other factors we know nothing about.

This is not our business, in my estimation, except to the extent that a specific transport company cannot reliably fulfill its contract obligations. If that is the case, ask to specify another carrier and pay the premium. Most are in search of lowest cost, and that comes with a cost all its own.

 

[alsaqr]

How gullible are we?

Gullible beyond belief. Many are incapable of vetting this sensational trash. They jump on gun boards and parrot outright lies, making us look like knuckle draggers.

Many of the same people who trash the "mainstream media" are anxious to believe the lies put out bloggers.

According to their website Brownells is shipping by UPS. From the Brownells website:

"One-Rate Program
We'll ship anywhere in the lower 48 states for just $15.95. Choose from UPS Ground, FedEx Ground, or Priority Mail. Add as many items as you need to your order-it's still just $15.95! These rates do not apply to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where packages can only be shipped Parcel Post Air or UPS 2nd Day Air."

Top Rated Supplier of Firearm Reloading Equipment, Supplies, and Tools - Colt (brownells.com)

 

[medalguy]

I spoke with three people who work for UPS, including my son who was a supervisor for a number of years. Zero knowledge of this letter. I also went to the UPS employee chat site (unofficial) and there was a lot of discussion about this letter, but no one had any idea if it was real or not. My money is on fake.

 

[wesmonster]

FWIW I bought a Ghost Firearms brand AR upper about 5 years ago (nice upper at a super cheap sales price at the time) and the credit card charge & shipped invoice was Grid Defense. I always thought ‘Ghost Firearms’ was just their brand name but they obviously did business under the Grid name. So seems likely their UPS account would be ‘Grid’ not ‘Ghost’.
As mentioned previously, the letter is lacking some info, and a lengthy search doesn’t show any response from Grid/Ghost. Fake news.

 

[N555]

No, it's not proof of anything except that Brownells is not currently shipping with UPS. Why? We don't know.

An open lettter with a hollow threat from senators to shipping companies. Now Brownells no longer using UPS.
I'm sure it's just coincidence.....
Real or fake, it's having the desired effects.
I think UPS would notice if Brownells suddenly stop using them and one or the other would attempt to clear up any misunderstanding.
We are at least a full week out and only Brownells has clearly stated their intentions.
I guess if UPS stays quiet there's just enough wiggle room to say it was a hoax or mistske once the board notices a sharp drop in sales and starts looking for someone to fire.