guns in the mail
 

This may or may not be a Dumb question

My Brother has a a few of my Dads old pistols
I asked him If I could have one and he said Yes.

Can he send it in the mail?

What would be the best way for me to get it, Short of Driving 750 mile round trip?

Thank guys

PS Im really stoked to get one one my Dads old service revolvers!!:ok:

Re: guns in the mail
 

I'm sure he can send it in the mail to your local pistol range or dealer (FFL) where you could pick it up. Most ranges can do this on your behalf I think, but you usually need to be a member... Might be worth dismantling first if possible.

Re: guns in the mail
 

Well, legally, firearms can only be shipped between FFL's(Unless you're shipping it back to the manufacturer),but between individuals,it has to go between FFL's or I think if the firearm can be classified as an antique (>100 years old or something like that) individuals can ship without having to go through FFL's, and the USPS doesn't ship any firearms, gotta be a private carrier....someone chime in if this is incorrect

Re: guns in the mail
 

I guess I'll be taking a drive next weekend :smile:

Re: guns in the mail
 

Looks like IF you jump through all the hoops, AND can qualify, you can ship via USPS...the antique,curios,relic is OK to ship, "431.3 Antique Firearm
An antique firearm (including one with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) is any firearm manufactured in or before 1898, or a replica of such a firearm, that meets either of the following conditions:

It is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.
It uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and that is not readily available through commercial trade channels."

I've shipped a rifle through UPS back to the manufacturer before, but shipping to an individual isn't allowed, dealers usually charge $30-$50 to ship to another dealer

USPS linky...

http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm

Re: guns in the mail
 

yeah,
I don't need no middle man
The Gun was my dads 38 service revolver when he was a cop in the 60's
It will be good to see my Brother too. :biggrin:

Re: guns in the mail
 

That sounds like a Winner :ok:

Re: guns in the mail
 

You could probably take it apart and send it in 2 or more small shipments. Then put the parts together at home.

Re: guns in the mail
 

i've shipped via fedex, but only to an FFL.

Re: guns in the mail
 

Not according to USPS reggs....

The disassembled parts of a handgun or other type of nonmailable firearm that can be readily reassembled as a weapon are nonmailable, except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.1 or 601.11.2.

Just sayin'....there are ways around almost anything if you're willing to pay the consequences

Re: guns in the mail
 

USPS will allow rifle and shotgun shipments, but NOT handguns...The rifles/shotguns must be unloaded and are subject to inspections, but can be mailed at your local PO.

Handguns can be sent UPS, however, transferring a gun across state lines to another individual is illegal without going though an FFL....

Re: guns in the mail
 

I've sent custom built rifles back to the original gunsmith for new barrel fitting on somewhere close to 7-8 occasions. They've been in a hard case and wrapped in cardboard, FedEx insured each time.

Re: guns in the mail
 

A Private person can ship a firearm to any FFL,you dont need to go to a FFL to ship to another FFL .UPS I think is about the only common carrier that will do this. also depends on State laws. some states have handgun laws that require a permit to hold. gunbroker.com has a section concerning these rules.

Re: guns in the mail
 

What if you are mailing a firearm to yourself.

s

Re: guns in the mail
 

So Are you saying that one can ship a handgun within the same state with UPS and no FFL dealer need to be involved?

I can't find any thing on the UPS site

Re: guns in the mail
 

Yep, an FFL (Federal) is only for transferring across state lines. Now, depending on your local laws there might be something else involved.

With my C&R FFL, I've received several pistols via USPS mail (priority).
Also received rifles via UPS in a box but I'm not even sure that they're aware of the contents although there is a signature required and you must be 18+ years of age.

Re: guns in the mail
 

Ken, I believe you live in commifornia. If that's true, Cal DOJ wants you to fill out a form and pay a fee when a handgun is transfered between family members.
http://www.ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/oplaw.pdf

The url below is to a great place for Calif gun owners:
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/f...splay.php?f=71

Re: guns in the mail
 

wow....just wow...
that is frigin ridiculous

Yeah I'll get right on that.

thanks for the info.

Re: guns in the mail
 

The shipper is taking a risk in doing that. USPS regs only permit a licensed "dealer" among others (NOT including C&R licensee collector) to ship pistols via Priority Mail. This is a real pain, since Priority Mail shipment is much cheaper than paying the "bend over & rape me since you can't control your thieving employees" rates of UPS & FedEX.

Re: guns in the mail
 

I don't wanna take any chances of losing this pistol.
It has a lot of sentimental Value.
10 hours Driving isn't so Bad

Re: guns in the mail
 

California has some good points, like weather, scenery, good chinese and mexican food.
But, if ya want freedom, probably need to move to Alaska.

I do recommend you spend some time on calguns site...good people there. Also, if you're in a charitable mood, check out the calguns foundation, they are trying to undo some of the stupid laws and help out good guys who get snared by them.

Re: guns in the mail
 

Thanks for the corrections guys, I would ask one of the eggplants at the PO, but they'd probable open every package I ever mailed there after that, according to the USPS site, it looks like you can mail handguns, IF you qualify:

"Mailability Requirements for Firearms



Unloaded Handgun

Handguns � e.g., pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person � are nonmailable UNLESS mailed by a licensed manufacturer of firearms, or a licensed dealer of firearms, or an authorized agent of the federal government or government of a state, territory, or district, and ONLY when addressed to a person in one of the following categories for use in the person�s official duties AND upon filing the required affidavit or certificate, as applicable (see DMM 601.11.1.3�7):

Addressee: Officer of Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by the commanding officer.
Addressee: Officer of National Guard or militia of a state, territory, or district.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by the commanding officer.
Addressee: Officer of the federal government or a state, district, or territory whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by the head of the agency employing the addressee.
Addressee: Postal Service employees specifically authorized by the Chief Postal Inspector.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by the head of the agency employing the addressee.
Addressee: Officer or employee of a U.S. enforcement agency.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by the head of the agency employing the addressee.
Addressee: Watchman engaged in guarding federal, state, district, or territory property.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by chief clerk of department, bureau, or independent branch of the government agency employing the addressee.
Addressee: Purchasing agent or other designated member of an enforcement agency employing officers and personnel included in c, d, or e above.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and certificate signed by the head of agency stating the firearm is to be used by an officer or employee cited in c, d, or e above.
Addressee: Licensed manufacturers and dealers of firearms.
Affidavit or Certificate Requirements: Signed statement on PS Form 1508, Statement by Shipper of Firearms.
The mailer must be a licensed manufacturer or dealer mailing to another licensed manufacturer or dealer.

Handguns may be mailed without regard to the requirements noted in items a�h if the addressee is the FBI (or its Director) or a scientific lab or crime detection bureau of any agency whose members are federal law enforcement officers, or state, district, or territory officers authorized to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.

Manufacturers or dealers must complete PS Form 1508, Statement by Shipper of Firearms, and file with the postmaster.

Postmasters may forward an unsatisfactory mailer statement to their PCSC for a ruling.

Unloaded Rifle or Shotgun

Short-barreled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person are nonmailable.

The mailer must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968 and with state and local laws.

The Postal Service may require the mailer to open the parcel or give written certification that the weapon is unloaded and not concealable.

Registered Mail service is recommended.

Unloaded Antique Firearm

Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are acceptable for mailing."

Re: guns in the mail
 

Then they have violated USPS regulations...

As I stated before Handguns are NOT mailable through the Postal Service...Anyone telling someone different is giving off the cuff legal advice that could wind someone up under Federal investigation...

If someone has mailed handguns to through US Postal Service, they have violated Federal Postal regulations.

When I had my FFL, I NEVER shipped any handguns with USPS because everyone knew it wasn't allowed.

Look here:

http://www.gunbroker.com/support/Sup...spx?faqid=1118

Read section "B8" that states that "handguns are not mailable"

You have to use FedEx or UPS for handguns...

Re: guns in the mail
 

I certainly don't know, I just pulled this off the USPS site: http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm

Gunbroker says no handguns can be shipped via USPS, USPS says yes, IF you qualify, I guess it comes down to which one you want to beleive

Re: guns in the mail
 

USPS doesn't simply say "yes"....They say, a licensed dealer mailing to a licensed dealer after filing a PS Form 1508 with the local postmaster and then pending approval of that form MAY ship a handgun...That is not "C&R to C&R", but "dealer to dealer" pending USPS approval, (a C&R holder is not a "dealer")....BTW, No one gets "approval" if they ask...

Forget it and use UPS...It's basically impossible with the Postal Service, They made that way to dissuade people from jumping through the hoops to possibly be approved to be able to use their "service" within a six month time frame..

Now understand why Gunbroker says what they say about USPS and handguns?

Re: guns in the mail
 

I agree, the USPS makes it if not impossible, a very long shot to ship handguns, but I didn't see anything that says they don't ship handguns...

Re: guns in the mail
 

Just my experience (recently). Picked up a Marlin .22 cal auto rifle from Cabela's. The action is not cycling correctly out of box. Called Marlin, and the said to ship it back in to repair/replacement. Stopped into USPS and the clerk said all firearms had to be shipped through a FFL. Correct?? I don't know. But the gun only cost $99 and the local guy with a FFL I talked to wanted $25 for him + shipping and insurance. Gun is still in the safe.

Now if sending back to a manfacture can be done without getting a FFL involved, then great. Just appreciate some clarification on that one.

Re: guns in the mail
 

I've shipped a rifle back to the manufacturer via UPS, no problems, I think in most cases, you can ship back to the manufacturer, but if you're shipping to an individual or another dealer, I think that has to go FFL>>>FFL, the PO will and does ship firearms but the hoops you have to jump through aren't worth it, ship with UPS,they probably ship more firearms than anyone
* Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to call the manufacturer and get some type of Return Autorization Code

Re: guns in the mail
 

You don't need an ffl to ship a rifle, only to recieve one from out of state (that's in free-ish states, I'm sure in CA and NY you have to smash a testicle with a hammer or something to get it done there, but I digress..).

This is the law, but some FFLs are either too stupid or corrupt to recieve from individuals. Don't deal with them, find someone who knows what's going on, you'll be money ahead in the long run.

To ship to a mfg or gunsmith for repair, you can send it straight to them, and they send it straight back to you. You should contact the mfg and have them issue you a return tag. There's absolutely no way I'd pay to send the rifle back, it's there fault it left the factory messed up.