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  • Nwcid
    Short answer: Yes, FFL's CAN ship handguns though USPS.


    Long answer:

    USPS - Shipping Terms & Conditions - Firearms

    Special Procedures for Shipping Firearms


    11.1 Pistols, Revolvers, and Other Concealable Firearms

    11.1.1 Definitions

    The terms used in this standard are defined as follows:

    a. Handgun means any pistol, revolver, or other firearm or device the mailing of which is regulated by this standard.

    b. Pistol or revolver means a handgun styled to be fired by the use of a single hand and to fire or otherwise expel a projectile by the action of an explosion, spring, or other mechanical action, or air or gas pressure with enough force to be used as a weapon.

    c. Firearm means any device, including a starter gun, designed to, or that may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosion, spring, or other mechanical action, or air or gas pressure with enough force to be used as a weapon.

    d. Other firearms capable of being concealed on the person include, but are not limited to, short-barreled shotguns and short-barreled rifles.

    e. Short-barreled shotgun means a shotgun that has one or more barrels less than 18 inches long. The term short-barreled rifle means a rifle that has one or more barrels less than 16 inches long. These definitions include any weapon made from a shotgun or rifle, whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise, if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches. A short-barreled shotgun or rifle of greater dimension may be regarded as nonmailable when it has characteristics to allow concealment on the person.

    f. Licensed manufacturer and licensed dealer mean, respectively, a manufacturer of firearms or a bona fide dealer of firearms, duly licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms of the Department of the Treasury, under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-618), 18 USC 921, et seq.

    g. Antique firearm means any firearm (including those with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898, or any replica thereof, if such replica:

    1. Is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.

    2. Uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and that is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

    11.1.2 Handguns

    Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person (referred to as handguns) are nonmailable unless mailed between the parties listed in 11.1.3 and 11.1.5 after the filing of an affidavit or statement required by 11.1.4 and 11.1.6.

    11.1.3 Authorized Persons

    Subject to 11.1.4, handguns may be mailed by a licensed manufacturer of firearms, a licensed dealer of firearms, or an authorized agent of the federal government or the government of a state, territory, or district, only when addressed to a person in one of the following categories for use in the person's official duties:

    a. Officers of the Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps.

    b. Officers of the National Guard or militia of a state, territory, or district.

    c. Officers of the United States or of a state, territory, or district, whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.

    d. USPS employees authorized by the Chief Postal Inspector.

    e. Officers and employees of enforcement agencies of the United States.

    f. Watchmen engaged in guarding the property of the United States, a state, territory, or district.

    g. Purchasing agent or other designated member of agencies employing officers and employees included in 11.1.3c. through 11.1.3e.

    11.1.4 Affidavit of Addressee

    Any person proposing to mail a handgun under 11.1.3 must file with the postmaster, at the time of mailing, an affidavit signed by the addressee setting forth that the addressee is qualified to receive the firearm under a particular category of 11.1.3a. through 11.1.3g, and that the firearm is intended for the addressee's official use. The affidavit must also bear a certificate stating that the firearm is for the official duty use of the addressee, signed by one of the following, as appropriate:

    a. For officers of Armed Forces, by the commanding officer.

    b. For officers and employees of enforcement agencies, by the head of the agency employing the addressee to perform the official duty with which the firearm is to be used.

    c. For watchmen, by the chief clerk of the department, bureau, or independent branch of the government of the United States, the state, the territory, or the district by which the watchman is employed.

    d. For the purchasing agent or other designated member of enforcement agencies, by the head of such agency, that the firearm is to be used by an officer or employee included in 11.1.3c. through 11.1.3e, Authorized Persons.

    11.1.5 Manufacturers and Dealers

    Handguns may also be mailed between licensed manufacturers of firearms and licensed dealers of firearms in customary trade shipments, or for repairing or replacing parts.

    11.1.6 Certificate of Manufacturers and Dealers

    A licensed manufacturer or dealer need not file the affidavit under 11.1.4, but must file with the postmaster a statement on Form 1508 signed by the mailer that he or she is a licensed manufacturer or dealer of firearms, that the parcels containing handguns (or major component parts thereof) are customary trade shipments or contain such articles for repairing or replacing parts, and that to the best of his or her knowledge or belief the addressees are licensed manufacturers or dealers of firearms.

    11.1.7 FBI Crime Detection Bureaus

    Handguns may be mailed without regard to 11.1.3 through 11.1.6 if:

    a. Addressed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or its director, or to the scientific laboratory or crime detection bureau of any agency whose members are federal law enforcement officers or officers of a state, territory, or district authorized to serve warrants of arrest or commitment; or

    b. Offered by an authorized agent of the federal government as an official shipment to any qualified addressee in categories 11.1.3a. through 11.1.3g, or to a licensed manufacturer or dealer of firearms or to a federal agency.

    11.2 Antique Firearms

    Antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces may be accepted for mailing without regard to 11.1.3 through 11.1.6.

    11.3 Rifles and Shotguns

    Although unloaded rifles and shotguns not precluded by 11.1.1e and 11.1.2 are mailable, mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968, Public Law 90-618, 18 USC 921, et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, 27 CFR 178, as well as state and local laws. The mailer may be required by the USPS to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not precluded by 11.1.1e.

    11.4 Legal Opinions on Mailing Firearms

    Postmasters are not authorized to give opinions on the legality of any shipment of rifles or shotguns. Contact the nearest office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for further advice.
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  • iwannausername
    Yup, even if you were paying him 20 plus USPS fees (see the flat rate boxes) its still about half price compared to individual to FFL via FedUps Next Day air (no legal requirement on the NDA, but the shippers require it 'cause too much stuff gets stolen)
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  • mark christian
    Absolutely legal and really to only economical way to ship handguns unless you do enough business to get a deep discount from UPS.
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  • CS8161
    How can he ship a handgun for ten bucks?? Unless it fits in a small flat rate box, then he can get away with it...any normal sized gun will have to go in a medium or large flat rate box, $9.85 or $13.85 but then you got to add insurance to that!
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  • duckhunter
    Wants to do business. Some folks are funny that way.
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  • cpermd
    quote:Originally posted by Chris8161
    How can he ship a handgun for ten bucks?? Unless it fits in a small flat rate box, then he can get away with it...any normal sized gun will have to go in a medium or large flat rate box, $9.85 or $13.85 but then you got to add insurance to that!


    I believe he means USPS charges + $10.
    At least that is what my FFL does.

    CP
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  • nmyers
    You guys are reading too much into this.

    This is simply a dealer trying to sell guns. I suspect that like most of us who sell guns on GB, he has had to listen to folks complain, "I'm not going to bid because you're trying to overcharge the buyer for shipping." There are a lot of people out there who have no idea how expensive shipping has become.

    So, he charges a low flat rate that no one can question, & he absorbs the difference in his overhead. It's called "marketing". Seems like a smart guy to me.

    Neal
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  • 2xbyu
    quote:Originally posted by bpost1958
    This FFL says he will ship handguns USPS for 10 bucks. Is it legal to ship handguns FFL to FFL via USPS?
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=148828978


    YES
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  • fordsix
    cheap way to get sales..works for me [^]
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  • Mobuck
    I commend the seller for not ripping his buyer. So many think they can charge $25-35 and still make the sale. They want paid for the box, the tape, the gas to drive to the PO, and the postage. And maybe for a $2 cup of coffee on the way. Those things I consider the cost of doing business so maybe I'm wrong.
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