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Handgun shipping

beltfed
Can anyone enlighten me on the confusing handgun shipping laws?? How do I as an unlicensed individual ship a modern handgun to an FFL holder? It is my understanding that neither UPS or the postal service will accept shipment from an unlicensed individual. Furthermore, what if the handgun is an antique, any changes???
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7 comments

Date Votes
  • beltfed
    i heard that if you don't have a license the only way to ship a modern handgun is Fedex Overnight, is this true.
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  • llama
    You have 3 choices...

    1) Take it to a UPS hub and ship it next day air. Expensive.

    2) Take it to a FedEx hub and ship it next day air. Expensive.

    3) Take it to a local FFL, have him log it in (think transfer, but reverse) and ship it via USPS (use an "it fits it ships" box) to the FFL on the other end. Flip him $30 for doing this, plus $20 to cover his shipping costs, gas to the PO, etc. Still cheaper than the UPS/FedEx next day air options...


    Edit for Rufe - true, guess it depends on the caliber (hehe) of FFL dealer you have in your area...
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by llama
    You have 3 choices...

    1) Take it to a UPS hub and ship it next day air. Expensive.

    2) Take it to a FedEx hub and ship it next day air. Expensive.

    3) Take it to a local FFL, have him log it in (think transfer, but reverse) and ship it via USPS (use an "it fits it ships" box) to the FFL on the other end. Flip him $30 for doing this, plus $20 to cover his shipping costs, gas to the PO, etc. Still cheaper than the UPS/FedEx next day air options...

















    Unfortunately it's not as simple as Llama makes it seem. Some FFL's won't ship guns, or will charge you a exorbitant fee for doing it. Make sure that you get this in writing beforehand, prior giving your gun to anybody. It's their business, they can run it any way they see fit.
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  • nmyers
    One recent change: Fedex Office stores will ship a handgun for you, at the same (high) price as the hub charges.

    Neal
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  • andrewsw16
    There is the one other option of packaging it up very well and shipping via common carrier Ground (much cheaper than air). The success of this choice is dependent upon you NOT voluntarily disclosing the contents to the carrier. Just present them with a well wrapped and addressed box, they will weigh it, measure it, and tell you the (very low)charges. IF you CHOOSE (not required) to disclose that the box contains a gun, the carrier can and will force you to use Air and charge you for the more expensive air shipping. As long as you are shipping to an FFL, that is legal, despite what some will tell you based on an incorrect FAQ on the BATFE page. As I have posted before, I have received a letter from the BATFE specifically stating this.
    Some will say this is risky because if the package is lost or damaged, UPS/Fedex will fight the insurance claim. That is weak justification for two reasons. 1. They ALWAYS fight claims because their position is that YOU incorrectly addressed and packed it and that is what caused the loss or damage. 2. If YOU pack it securely and label it properly it will get there. Many sellers use this shipping method every year, quite legally, and quite successfully, and save themselves unecessary shipping expense.
    But, you are free to make your own choices, with differing risks and expenses. Good luck.
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  • llama
    quote:Originally posted by andrewsw16
    There is the one other option of packaging it up very well and shipping via common carrier Ground (much cheaper than air). The success of this choice is dependent upon you NOT voluntarily disclosing the contents to the carrier. Just present them with a well wrapped and addressed box, they will weigh it, measure it, and tell you the (very low)charges. IF you CHOOSE (not required) to disclose that the box contains a gun, the carrier can and will force you to use Air and charge you for the more expensive air shipping. As long as you are shipping to an FFL, that is legal, despite what some will tell you based on an incorrect FAQ on the BATFE page. As I have posted before, I have received a letter from the BATFE specifically stating this.
    Some will say this is risky because if the package is lost or damaged, UPS/Fedex will fight the insurance claim. That is weak justification for two reasons. 1. They ALWAYS fight claims because their position is that YOU incorrectly addressed and packed it and that is what caused the loss or damage. 2. If YOU pack it securely and label it properly it will get there. Many sellers use this shipping method every year, quite legally, and quite successfully, and save themselves unecessary shipping expense.
    But, you are free to make your own choices, with differing risks and expenses. Good luck.


    And if it goes AWOL any insurance claim will be denied flat out ... no recourse.
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  • andrewsw16
    quote:Originally posted by llama
    quote:Originally posted by andrewsw16
    There is the one other option of packaging it up very well and shipping via common carrier Ground (much cheaper than air). The success of this choice is dependent upon you NOT voluntarily disclosing the contents to the carrier. Just present them with a well wrapped and addressed box, they will weigh it, measure it, and tell you the (very low)charges. IF you CHOOSE (not required) to disclose that the box contains a gun, the carrier can and will force you to use Air and charge you for the more expensive air shipping. As long as you are shipping to an FFL, that is legal, despite what some will tell you based on an incorrect FAQ on the BATFE page. As I have posted before, I have received a letter from the BATFE specifically stating this.
    Some will say this is risky because if the package is lost or damaged, UPS/Fedex will fight the insurance claim. That is weak justification for two reasons. 1. They ALWAYS fight claims because their position is that YOU incorrectly addressed and packed it and that is what caused the loss or damage. 2. If YOU pack it securely and label it properly it will get there. Many sellers use this shipping method every year, quite legally, and quite successfully, and save themselves unecessary shipping expense.
    But, you are free to make your own choices, with differing risks and expenses. Good luck.


    And if it goes AWOL any insurance claim will be denied flat out ... no recourse.

    ...unless you have your OWN insurance. But, your claim with UPS/Fedex will almost certainly be denied anyways even if you ship by Air because it is YOUR fault it got lost or damaged (according to THEM). Their position is made very clear when you ship. The shipper is responsible for proper addressing, so if it gets lost, obviously you didn't do it properly. The shipper is responsible for proper packing. So if it gets damaged, obviously YOU didn't pack it well enough. It's hard to beat that logic and they WILL stick to it. So you as the shipper get the freedom of deciding what you want to pay and how much risk YOU are willing to assume. Freedom of choice. Pick what makes YOU comfortable. I'm just listing one more possible choice. [:)]
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