Shipping Long Guns Interstate

[nalioth]

Or should we just believe everything we read on the Internet?

Perhaps you've missed the actual laws being posted in this thread.

This isn't "stuff I read on the internet", unless, of course, you're of a mind that government institutions and law colleges are making <poo> up just for internet viewing.

 

[Nautilus]

I've shipped probably 40-50 long guns through the USPS. I just box it up, go to the counter have it weighed, pay for insurance and when asked "hazardous, liquid or perishable?" I say "No". Never had a problem. An unloaded firearm is not hazardous top anyone in transport unless they drop it on their foot.

 

[deadin]

I've read the laws directly from the source.

I've read the opinion of how those laws may be enforced from the website of those that are tasked with enforcing them (BATFE)

I've read how a college law professor interprets them (Cornell Law)

I've read how many Internet contributors interpret them. (Mainly on firearms forums)

Somehow, they don't all agree.
Who to believe? Who's going to be standing before the judge with me if I screw up?
Government, BATFE and Postal Inspector lawyers for sure.
Cornell Law professor? I doubt it. (I probably couldn't afford him.)
Members of the firearms forums? Very doubtful. (and I don't know whether or not I would want them.)

So it's pretty much whoever you are comfortable with.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Is the statement from 12.3 concerning rifles and shotguns:

Quote:

The mailer may be required by the USPS to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not precluded by 12.1.1e.

just so much wasted ink? (If you don't declare it, how would they know?)

deadin,

Notice the word in bold and underline above. "may" means maybe, might, could be, optionally. It is not the "shall" or "will". It in no way REQUIRES the mailer to do anything on their own. It does not establlish a requirement to notife the postal clerk of the firearm, nor to prove it is unloaded. It simply says the mailer MIGHT be asked to show or certify the gun is unloaded.

 

[deadin]

Once again I ask "If you don't declare it, how would they possibly know to maybe ask?)
Ergo, just so much wasted ink?

 

[NavyLCDR]

Once again I ask "If you don't declare it, how would they possibly know to maybe ask?)
Ergo, just so much wasted ink?

Yes, that is absolutely correct. If you don't declare it, they might not know to ask and it is wasted ink (as are so many laws associated with firearms that don't make any sense, either.)

Then again a four foot long box addressed to Ruger or Savage Arms or Smith and Wesson might be a little tip as well.

 

[W.E.G.]

correction as to the common carrier issue understood

thanks for the clarification

 

[Maj Dad]

One Final Comment...

Since I started all this, let me just say that I wrapped up the rifle, padded it well, taped it up with a whole bunch of different kinds - filament tape around it, plastic tape everywhere - and took it to the P.O. The affable and really nice clerk asked me if there was anything hazardous, dangerous or fattening (could be wrong on that one); I said no (and it was true, nothing remotely connected to firearms) and he cherrily posted it off to the addressee. End of journey. Guy who bought it was happy, I was happy, and the P.O. was blissfully unaware and officially o.k. with that. Just my experience, and hopefully it will be yours.

Finis.

P.S. Regarding paper tape: back in the day, we sent classified material - Confidential only, inCONUS - via registered mail, and we had to use paper tape, with water-based glue. Reason: you can't fiddle with it without destroying it or making it obvious that you've fiddled. I was in the sneaky branch of intel and it was pretty much impossible to get into it surreptiously (note: not impossible, just pretty much).