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Long guns are treated "differently" vs. handguns.

And, IF you have an FFL......things can change again.

Aloha, Mark

PS....

So then.....
Have people here recently heard about "loopholes"?
Or is it that they are just new?
Or maybe they didn't want to "Google It"?
 
Handguns sent by an individual need to be sent next day, UPS or FedEx. Long guns and shotguns can be sent UPS or FedEx, but typically have to be shipped from a hub facility. USPS has too many regulations, not worth jumping through their hoops...

Handguns I've shipped, I've shipped through my local, friendly FFL. Shotguns I've sent UPS, but had to ship from the hub in Portland. Just one feeble ole guys experiences.

YMMV
 
"Mark, you sound like an ________."

i-m-sorry-477304.gif

OK, Ok, ok...

AS A SHIPPER - THE SHORT COURSE ON SHIPPING FIREARMS

***Declare all firearm shipments***AND***Unless prohibited by your state or local laws***

A Non-FFL Dealer, CAN ship a long gun (rifle or shotgun), via the US Mail or common/contract carrier (Fed Ex, UPS, etc.) to an FFL, back to the factory, or gunsmith, or out of state (to yourself), or to another non-prohibited person within your state.*

A Non-FFL Dealer, CANNOT ship a handgun via the US Mail. However, a Non-FFL Dealer, MAY USE a common/contract carrier for handgun shipments…….to an FFL, back to the factory, or gunsmith, or out of state (to yourself), or to another non-prohibited person within your state.*

That being said.....as a Non-FFL, I've found it cheaper, to take my handgun(s) to my FFL Dealer (even w/ his fee) and have the handgun(s) shipped via the USPS, registered mail and insured. YMWV.

For an FFL Dealer, a firearm (handgun or long gun) can be shipped by either the US Mail or common/contract carrier.

*Note: The current BGC Laws (example : WA and OR) have thrown a wrench into this. As I said prior......"Unless prohibited by your state or local laws."

BTW, the US Postal Service does NOT recognize a C&R Lic. (Collector Lic.), as being the same thing as an FFL (Dealer Lic.).
__________________________________________________ ____

The common carriers make their own rules on how they want firearms to be shipped (overnight, same day or whatever). Mostly it's because, they can't trust their employees w/ the possibility of THEFT. Not to mention that, making LARGE PROFITS is the name of the game. So, shipping charges can/will quickly mount.

*THINGS MAY HAVE CHANGED* Because of poor training, some UPS and FedEx employees THINK that shipping of firearms is authorized ONLY between FFLs. That is just NOT true. Speak to the KNOWLEGABLE people. It's also a good idea to have a printed copy of their rules in hand, before going to the shipping center. *THINGS MAY HAVE CHANGED*

The USPS is also a problem for some, as the clerks are in some cases poorly trained.
__________________________________________________ _____

DON'T TRY TO SKIRT THE LAW

Some people, may advise others to ship their firearms in pieces……."Parts are Parts." But, note what the BATF says: Frames or receivers of firearms are "firearms" as defined in the law and subject to the same controls as complete firearms.
You Have Been Warned.
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SHIPPING TO AN FFL DEALER, WITHOUT A SIGNED INKED FFL IN YOUR HAND

The shipper/seller, for their protection, needs to verify the receiver is an FFL Dealer. They need to ask for the receiver's FFL Number.
The shipper should then go to this website to verify the license and address: ATF FFL Ez Check Site.
The shipper should print the screen they get.
They can then legally ship the firearm to the receiver, but only at the address verified at the Ez Check Site.
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IF YOU'RE THE BUYER OF A FIREARM (FROM ANOTHER STATE)

Since this is a SALE of a firearm, the seller will ship the firearm to your FFL (not directly to you). Once the firearm is at your local FFL, the FFL will record it in his book, he'll be responsible to check you out. Making sure you're not a prohibited person, have followed your local and state laws, have paid the correct fees (if applicable), and of course filled out form 4473.
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SHIPPING ANTIQUES

Under the Federal definition, an antique firearm (as described below) can be sent ANYWAY you like. But, local and state laws may vary, so remember to check them too.

Title 18, Section 921(a)(16) then defines "antique firearm" as follows:

The term "antique firearm" means -

(A) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; and any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if such replica -
(i) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or
(ii) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade."

And, from the ATF site, FAQ............

(A3) Do antique firearms come within the purview of the GCA? [Back]

No.

[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3) and (16), 27 CFR 478.11 and 478.141(d)]

Advice for shipping an Antique Firearm.......

Ship them via the USPS, registered mail and insured. They are "antique firearms" and therefore are not controlled by the same laws as regular firearms.
c. Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are
generally permitted as specified in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM C024.2.0.

Taken from the USPS Publication 52.

And, beware: Just because a firearm is a, "qualified C&R Firearm" it's NOT always, an "antique firearm."

_________________________________________________________


And.....
Especially, if you don't have an FFL Lic. yourself. Check first, with the receiving FFL before shipping a firearm. Some FFLs may/will not accept a firearms shipment from a non-lic holder and/or they might/will want additional information/IDs from you.

And shipping (even with a FFL Lic) to a CA FFL comes with more hoops to jump through. Some FFLs may/will refuse to ship to CA because of it.

There maybe additional laws......that also put up hurdles to jump through in what is suppose to be an "easy process". Rrrrright.....many things change.

Aloha, Mark
 
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THE HEADLINE

It's easier to ship a pistol than you think and doesn't cost an arm and a leg (e.g., $30 to ship from PDX up to Puget Sound)

EDIT: Here is the link to the FedEx webpage about shipping firearms.




If the headline was enough, then forget the rest of the post. If you like meandering stories - by all means, read on. :D

THE MEANDERING STORY

I'm in the process of arranging to ship a pistol up to WA to an FFL of another NWFA member who is purchasing it from me.

Mark (@ma96782) did a good job of detailing the specifics of shipping, and I was aware of those.

But because I hadn't shipped in a while I wanted to get an estimated shipping cost.

I ship via FedEx because FedEx will let you drop off the pistol at an outlet, whereas USP makes me drive all the way down to the hub on Swan Island. (At least, that's the way my local FedEx outlet operates.)

Anyway, I called FedEx today to get an estimate. Of course I got the main FedEx customer service staff, not my local FedEx outlet.

They took the box dimensions and weight and destination zip code. But when I indicated that it was a firearm being sent to an FFL - well ... you can probably guess the response.

The customer service rep got all flustered, and transferred me. Then I got transferred two more times. The fourth person I talked to said she'd have to research it and get back to me. I knew it wasn't that complicated, but you really can't argue with them. So I thanked her and told her I would anxiously await her call.

I got a call-back about 30 minutes later. I was told that the pistol had to be shipped overnight, that there was some additional type of charge (she was talking so fast it blew right by me) and also it would have to be signed for, which was an additional charge. Total estimated shipping - about $90.

I politely thanked her and we ended the call.

I knew that wasn't right and did what I should have done at the beginning - I drove down to the FedEx outlet and talked to the front counter person. She knew what she was doing. $30 to ship to the zip code in WA. Must go ground and does not have to be overnight. No additional signature fee because it's being delivered to a business address and that's part of the basic shipping cost.

It is way more simple to ship a pistol than people perceive. It is just that most of the people who work for the shipping companies don't know their own policies or procedures about shipping firearms, even when you give them the chance to have four different people try to address the issue - and then give the final person a half hour to do their research.

In the end, the minimum wage employee at the counter who really does the work was the person who knew what she was talking about.

My hats off to front counter / direct customer service staff. It is a hard and often thankless job. Yet without those folks who do the hard work, the management folks (like I used to be) couldn't find their backside from a hole in the ground.

Cheers
 
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