Can private parties ship rifles or handguns

[warnerwh]

Is it legal for private parties to ship a gun to one another within the state? I'm thinking that buying and selling would be a lot better if we can and I swear I read that we can. If someone knows where to find the law I would appreciate that also.

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[rick]

Is it legal for private parties to ship a gun to one another within the state?

Assuming the rules haven't changed recently, yes for long guns, no for handguns. Actually there's no law prohibiting shipping a handgun in-state by common carrier, but the catch is none of them are willing to do it unless an FFL is involved. UPS, Fedex, DHL, etc. all have policies to that effect. This is for intrastate (same state) shipping only; the rules are different for interstate shipping.

ATF Online - Firearms - Frequently Asked Questions - Unlicensed Persons

The Gun Zone -- Shipping Firearms

 

[CalTech]

An individual can ship a handgun to an FFL in another state, for transfer to another, (say a relative) or for repair or sale to that FFL.

 

[SargentMac]

You cannot ship pistols via the post office.

You can ship pistols to the manufacturer or a gunsmith within the United States via UPS or Fed Ex. UPS and Fed Ex have next day certified insured requirements (meaning you have to pay their most expensive route).

Long guns can go through the post office, UPS, or Fed Ex.

I shipped a rifle back to S&W via FedEx and there was no next day requirement.

 

[ZigZagZeke]

I recently shipped an AR via UPS to Bushmaster. It went UPS ground with a declared value of $1200 for $22. Because of the excessive value it had to be shipped from a UPS Customer Service Center (Swan Island in this case) or signed for by a driver. It couldn't go from a "UPS Store" because of the value, not because it was a rifle. I have had a UPS store refuse to ship a rifle until I pointed out that it was being shipped on my existing UPS account.

My understanding is, you can ship a firearm legally for any legal purpose other than to transfer ownership.

 

[Nwcid]

Right from the ATF, ATF Online - Firearms - Frequently Asked Questions - Unlicensed Persons

Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?
A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract 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), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

Q: May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity?
Yes. A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the State where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.