Shipping Firearms via UPS/FedEx

[Old SF MJT]

Folks, I need some technical assistance from some of you legal eagles out there. I know that it is illegal to ship a firearm to another individual via the USPS. However, I have heard that it is legal to ship a firearm from one private citizen to another via UPS or FedEX. Do any of you out there have any good insight into this? Can you provide proper reference to United States Code, etc? Any help is greatly appreciated.

By the way, I am new to THR...thanks to all for a really great forum!

Best,
Old SF MJT

 

[Zak Smith]

It's been discussed at length.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63205
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57959
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24335

 

[fsjeffrey]

I went to the links provided and noticed that the discussions were about the relevant Federal law on shipping weapons.

I seem to recall that a company, UPS, has refused on their own to ship guns irregardless of existing Federal law.

Is that correct?

 

[Zak Smith]

You could go to UPS's and FEDEX's web sites and determine what their policies are on shipping firearms.

To the best of my knowledge, they both require you send them next-day air.

On the other hand, per Federal law, you are not require to notify the carrier it is a firearm unless you are shipping to a non-licensee.

-z

 

[fsjeffrey]

Zak,

You're right, weapons shipments are limited to Next Day Air.

I ran a calculation at the UPS site and assumed shipping a Glock from Pasadena, CA to Smyrna, GA.

The calculated costs were:

UPS Ground - $11.15

Next Day Air - $62.30

Quite a difference from the old way.

 

[Zak Smith]

There is no federal law requiring you to tell them, when you are shipping to an FFL (e.g. Glock).

-z

 

[burbanite]

UPS brings rifles and handguns to my door regularly. They need an adult signature of course, rifles can travel slow boat but I believe handguns must go next day????

I have a C&R license and my UPS guy knows exactly what he is bringing me.

 

[TimRB]

In my area (PRK) the UPS Stores will flip out if you even suggest shipping any sort of firearm. You must take the gun to a UPS dropoff center. That said, they will ship long arms ground, but insist on shipping handguns next day air. I think this is their policy and has nothing to do with the law.

Tim

 

[TarpleyG]

I know that it is illegal to ship a firearm to another individual via the USPS. However, I have heard that it is legal to ship a firearm from one private citizen to another via UPS or FedEX

You cannot ship a handgun to anyone anywhere by any means unless they are an FFL. You CAN send a rifle to a person in your state or adjoining state as long as all other legal requirements are met (age, non-felon, US resident, etc.). You can even do so using the US Postal Service.

GT

 

[EOD Guy]

You cannot ship a handgun to anyone anywhere by any means unless they are an FFL.

Generally true, although there are a few exceptions.

You CAN send a rifle to a person in your state or adjoining state as long as all other legal requirements are met (age, non-felon, US resident, etc.).

Your state only, not to another state.

You can even do so using the US Postal Service.

Rifles and shotguns only. Handguns can only be mailed between dealers and distributors.

 

[sumpnz]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you ship a gun (rifle, shotgun, or handgun) to yourself even if you are not an FFL? e.g. You inherit some of your grandpa's collection, but he lived two time zones away. You go to the funeral, afterwards pack up the guns, and ship them back home, by-passing your friendly FFL and his $20-first born fees.

 

[Yowza]

I seem to recall that a company, UPS, has refused on their own to ship guns irregardless of existing Federal law

The company that won't ship firearms at all is Airborne. They're the only one that I've seen that has a blanket policy like that.

Rick

 

[EOD Guy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you ship a gun (rifle, shotgun, or handgun) to yourself even if you are not an FFL? e.g. You inherit some of your grandpa's collection, but he lived two time zones away. You go to the funeral, afterwards pack up the guns, and ship them back home, by-passing your friendly FFL and his $20-first born fees.

You can do that or the executor of the estate can send them directly to you. Bequests from an estate are exempt from the requirement to go through a dealer in interstate shipments. Check with state or local law though.

 

[Blue Line]

I checked with ATF prior to my hunting trip last fall in Montana. They said you can mail it or ship it to Yourself. The US Postal surprised me but it was right there in black and white. The main thing is as long as the gun doesn't change ownership. Now that was for any gun, Per ATF and they gave me a copy of the reg to go along with it. It cost me 200 bucks to ship my rifle out via fedex, out there but I ended up bringing it back on the plane with me because the price was the same 200 for extra bags over the limit. The next day air on handguns is so the sticky fingered box boys on the parcel lines don't add to thier collection.