Shipping Firearms ?

[Cornholio 0]

I need to ship some firearms from North Carolina to California. I'm not all too familiar with guns myself, so this is pretty new to me. I'm getting them from my Dad for sentimental reasons rather than me using them at this time.

He has a couple rifles (one 22 and one 30-06), one shotgun, a bb/pellet rifle, and a 22 handgun.

How do I ship them? From what little I have researched online, it looks like they need to be shipped from one licensced arms dealer to another, and then they need to be licensced to me before I take ownership of them.

What's the best way to go about this? I figured all you gun people in SC would know more about this, rather than posting this in bonfire.

Thanks!

Butthead: Whoa! Burritos for breakfast!
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[waltappel 1]

federal firearms laws TOC

regs on mailing firearms

Walt

[rwieder 0]

Find a reputable FFA dealer in your area you trust. Have your dad do the same. They will handle the transaction for you for a few $$$

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[ripcord4 0]

You will need to consign them to a Federal Firearms licensee in your area for shipment to another FFL holder in CA. Be prepared to pay a fee on both ends of the transaction as they have to be entered into both dealers books and then off again, plus the shipping. Also, be careful about what firearms you are shipping into the Peoples Republic of California. Many types are outright banned. You will need a CA pistol permit for the handgun before you may possess it.

[peacefuljeffrey 0]

Unless you are a licensed firearms dealer (FFL), you cannot receive firearms shipped directly to you. (I'm not sure if within-one-state shipping falls into this category, but that doesn't affect you anyway.)

If you and another private owner want to ship a gun between you, the sender has to have an FFL ship to an FFL from whom the receiver will pick up the gun.

The exception is that you can bring your gun to a shipper (UPS, FEDEX) to ship if you are sending it to an authorized repair shop (like I have to do with my Taurus).

I have found out that in order to send the gun via UPS, I have to take it to a UPS hub -- cannot send them through UPS STORES.

-Jeffrey

-Jeffrey
"With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!"

[kjarv 0]

At what point of disassembly/assembly is a firearm simply just a bunch of metal parts?

Is it possible to break it up and ship the pieces? e.g. Barrel (blue steel metal drinking tube), Scope (monocular magnification device), firing pin (metal earwax remover), wooden stock (firewood - but I'm not sure you can have firewood in people's republic of california anymore)

-kjarv

[Binkus 0]

In regards to what to shiping it disasembled and what parts are allowed. From my understanding and from things Ive recived, virtualy all parts of the weapon are considered accsesories and can be shiped via rigular mail person to person except for the lower reciver. The lower reciever is considered to be the actual fire arm and requires a FFL to send and recieve. Of course your weapon is completly usless without the Lower Reciver. That is how I understand it but I have not actually looked at the regulations. I do know that I can have everything except the lower reciever shiped to my house without a FFL from dealers and parts stores.

[craddock 0]

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If you and another private owner want to ship a gun between you, the sender has to have an FFL ship to an FFL from whom the receiver will pick up the gun.

You are not the only one to say this but I find it incorrect. Unless their has been a very recent change that I should/would have heard about. The shipping service may require an FFL to ship (as does the Postal Service? for handguns. Someone does anyway) but it is not Federal law. He just needs to find an FFL that will do tranfers relatively inexpensive and have the sender get a copy(fax is now allowed) and ship them. My FFL charges me $20 to do a transfer per "firearm". If I sell a firearm I ship it myself without the use of an FFL on my end.

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[craddock 0]

You are getting alot of incorrect information in this thread.

First of check YOUR OWN state laws in California. This is where you will use the FFL anyway but you should check local laws and ords.

Assuming(bad thing to do) that you are in an area legal to own firearms this is very easy. Find a FFL that you want to use and have him send or Fax a copy of his FFL to your Dad and have your Dad send via Fedex or UPS(I think they have to go Blue label if you use UPS) the firearms to the FFL. You fill out the paperwork at the FFL in California and pick them up. As far as the Guns being registered to yourself, that would be a California thing again not a Federal. Most states do not require registration although some do for handguns. You are going to need an FFL in California anyway so start there.

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[Andy9o8 3]

You guys are all way over-engineering this.
Just send it in a crate marked "oranges".
Bim, bam, boom. Over & done.

Next?

[ripcord4 0]

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If you and another private owner want to ship a gun between you, the sender has to have an FFL ship to an FFL from whom the receiver will pick up the gun.

You are not the only one to say this but I find it incorrect. Unless their has been a very recent change that I should/would have heard about. The shipping service may require an FFL to ship (as does the Postal Service? for handguns. Someone does anyway) but it is not Federal law. He just needs to find an FFL that will do tranfers relatively inexpensive and have the sender get a copy(fax is now allowed) and ship them. My FFL charges me $20 to do a transfer per "firearm". If I sell a firearm I ship it myself without the use of an FFL on my end.

According to Federal law, intra/inter-state shipment of firearms requires an FFL at both ends. You guys better hope the BATFE doesn't monitor this thread.

[craddock 0]

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According to Federal law, intra/inter-state shipment of firearms requires an FFL at both ends. You guys better hope the BATFE doesn't monitor this thread.

Then why not post us a link to that law. When did it change. The last firearm I transfered was in November at which point FFL's could recieve for private individuals. I have a hard time believing this law changed since them and I never heard about it.

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[craddock 0]

Here is exactly what the ATF 'Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide' (ATF P 5300.4) says:
(B9) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by 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) and 922( e), 27 CFR 178.31]

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[Airman1270 0]

Not to cause trouble, but...

I don't have much experience with firearms, but I was a shipping/receiving manager for a few years. What would be so difficult about packing the thing securely into a box, sealing it, and bringing it to the retail shipping service provider? Why does anyone have to know what's inside?

Cheers,
Jon S.

[peacefuljeffrey 0]

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If you and another private owner want to ship a gun between you, the sender has to have an FFL ship to an FFL from whom the receiver will pick up the gun.

You are not the only one to say this but I find it incorrect. Unless their has been a very recent change that I should/would have heard about. The shipping service may require an FFL to ship (as does the Postal Service? for handguns. Someone does anyway) but it is not Federal law. He just needs to find an FFL that will do tranfers relatively inexpensive and have the sender get a copy(fax is now allowed) and ship them. My FFL charges me $20 to do a transfer per "firearm". If I sell a firearm I ship it myself without the use of an FFL on my end.

As I understand it, interstate shipping of a firearm DOES have to be conducted between two FFLs. I don't have the law before me to reprint for you; it is simply what I have seen written by people who should know, over and over again for a number of years.

I think it might date back to the GCA of '68, actually. I think that ended mail-order of guns, if I'm not mistaken.


-Jeffrey

-Jeffrey
"With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!"

[peacefuljeffrey 0]

Quote

Here is exactly what the ATF 'Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide' (ATF P 5300.4) says:
(B9) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by 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) and 922( e), 27 CFR 178.31]

Here is what the NRA website digest of Federal Firearms law has to say about shipping guns:

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Shipping Firearms

Firearms may not be mailed or shipped interstate from one non-FFL to another non-FFL. Personally owned rifles and shotguns may be mailed or shipped to an FFL in any state for any lawful purpose, including sale, repair, or customizing. An FFL may ship a firearm or replacement firearm of the same kind and type to a person from whom it was received. Under U.S. Postal regulations, handguns may be sent via the Postal Service only from one FFL to another FFL, or between authorized government officials.

A person may ship a rifle or shotgun to himself, in care of a person who lives in another state, for purposes of hunting.

Firearms or ammunition delivered to a common carrier for shipment must be accompanied by a written notice to the carrier of the contents of the shipment.

Do with that what you will. This is an organization that is invested in getting this right.


-Jeffrey

-Jeffrey
"With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!"

[craddock 0]

Did you read what you quoted? It says what I was trying to explain only better.

Again for those who care. You do not need to have a firearm shipped from an FFL. You can ship it yourself to the FFL

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[peacefuljeffrey 0]

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Did you read what you quoted? It says what I was trying to explain only better.

Again for those who care. You do not need to have a firearm shipped from an FFL. You can ship it yourself to the FFL

I thought the issue was that a guy wanted to ship a firearm between him and his dad, neither of whom is an FFL. In that case, these are two ordinary people who DO have to send the gun using FFLs on either side of the transfer.

This is NOT the same as when I have to send my Taurus to Taurus in Miami for warranty work. I can go to the UPS hub and send it myself from there. They can send it back directly to me; I do not have to receive it back through an FFL because it is substantially the same gun received back after a repair.


-Jeffrey

-Jeffrey
"With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!"

[rwieder 0]

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Again for those who care. You do not need to have a firearm shipped from an FFL. You can ship it yourself to the FFL

Way back when, i had an FFL. It used to be a felonious offense to send any type of firearm through the mail service unless it's done from a one FFL holder to another. Do it, and let the package get X-Rayed (Which it will,,,,be x-rayed) and learn the hard way. peacefuljeffrey is "Bang On" on this one. The Brady Bill kinda decided this for us all. The postal system doesn't prefer to have to process weapons either, although it seems they will for a hefty charge, it's too dangerous and time consuming. Go to Here For more information. Theres a lot of information in this URL. You can in fact ship a firearm through UPS, but by the time you "wade through the red tape" you could've done it in 1/8th of the time by utilizing a reputable gun dealer with an FFL license. I hope this clarifys some points of interest.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[craddock 0]

Wrong. I sent a rifle the the USPS not all that long ago. It is handguns that the USPS will not ship without an FFL. And what red tape for UPS? They make you ship blue label I think. I have used Fed Ex in the past also but had to pay for overnight. Finding and paying an FFL to ship a package is time saving? LOL

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You can in fact ship a firearm through UPS, but by the time you "wade through the red tape" you could've done it in 1/8th of the time by utilizing a reputable gun dealer with an FFL license. I hope this clarifys some points of interest

WTF? 1/8 the time? Red tape? What about Fed-Ex( albiet overnight) The USPS works great for long guns. Do you guys read the links you post me. While I have not read them all, I have bought and sold guns to/from private citizens that shipped out of state. I would suggest you go to the Delivery services and ask them. Then get back to me.

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[craddock 0]

Wrong

Hell you can even ship fireams to yourself in another state with no FFL on either end.

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[peacefuljeffrey 0]

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Wrong

Hell you can even ship fireams to yourself in another state with no FFL on either end.

Would you please explain what you're saying is wrong?

I'm saying that:
1- If two people are sending a gun between them interstate or intrastate, the gun has to be sent from one guy's FFL contact to the other guy's FFL contact. This is well-known, and I don't know why you dispute it.
2 - An exception is if you are sending a firearm to yourself interstate for the purposes of hunting. Say, you mail your Remington 700 to an address in Montana where you plan to receive it to use hunting.
3 - Another exception is if you are a person sending a firearm in for repair to an FFL or to a manufacturer, like I plan to do with my Taurus.


Just what is in dispute, here?


-Jeffrey

-Jeffrey
"With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!"

[rwieder 0]

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Wrong. I sent a rifle the the USPS not all that long ago. It is handguns that the USPS will not ship without an FFL.

I realize that. The original question was how to ship a weapon from a son to a father. I'm not going to get into specifics, but since the passing of the Brady Bill, and the ban on assault weapons it has been more and more difficult to move weapons throught the mail. I never said it couln't be done. As far as flying to Colorodo to moose hunt, you can take your long guns with you on the plane as long as they are in the cargo hold.

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Finding and paying an FFL to ship a package is time saving?

Not if you know the right people. It's no trouble at all.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[craddock 0]

First of all the Assault Weapon ban has sunsetted not that it had mcuh to do with shipping firearms.

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Not if you know the right people. It's no trouble

My FFL charges $20 per Firearm I have him Transfer. He does this on the side out of his house. It takes me 20 minutes to get to his house and only five to my post office. They will not let me ship handguns there without an FFL so I need to use another carrier for them. Fed-EX is 15 minutes form my house and UPS (who I have not used for Firearms is even closer).

Sure it is no trouble for me to drive to my FFL and pay for him to arrange shipping, but is even less for me to just do it myself. It may be easier for some if they live much closer to an FFL than a suitable shipping carrier. Do it how ever you want but it is the shippers choice. It is perfectly legal to ship a firearm without using an FFL. So long as it is going to yourself, or an FFL(Manufacturers are FFL's which is why this is legal)

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[craddock 0]

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Would you please explain what you're saying is wrong?

OK #1 is wrong.

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1- If two people are sending a gun between them interstate or intrastate, the gun has to be sent from one guy's FFL contact to the other guy's FFL contact. This is well-known, and I don't know why you dispute it.

This is wrong. If this is well known then it is a well known misconseption. I dispute it because it is wrong. Nothing more nothing less.
I can send a firearm to your FFL anyday of the week legally. Some shipping sevices may require an FFL as does the USPS for handguns, but this is not a legal issue. It is the Unites States Postal Service's policy for shipping Handguns. You need to use another carrier for those or have an FFL ship the handgun. Not for legal reasons though

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.