Shipping a firearm
I just sold my first firearm through Gunbroker. I am in Mesa, Arizona and the buyer is in Massachusettes. I thought the shipping would be somewhere around $30.00. I just got quotes from UPS and FedEx that are around $55.00. Needless to say the buyer is very unhappy and feels that I padded the cost to get more for the gun. These quotes were based on roughly a 5lb package and shipping priority overnight as stated by both carriers for firearms.I had taken the firearm and accessories to the UPS Store and had them give me the quote. The only thing I hadn't done was box everything in a package yet. The buyer says that everbody ships guns and does not delare them as firearms, they just package them and ship them normally. I guess 2 day instead of overnight. Is this normal practice? In my mind I need to disclose anything to do with firearms in this day and age. Please give me some feedback on this. Thanks for all your replies.
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I've read many posts concerning this topic. But there has never been an answer to the question of: What is the penalty for not telling your shipper that there is a firearm in the box? 0 -
I'd like to know too. I know this is illegal when shipping thru USPS but is it the same with other carriers? 0 -
It's not illegal to ship a firearm that you legally own to a Licensed Dealer or Gun Smith. It is illeagal to ship a firearm to others. In todays world however, USPS, UPS, Fedx may ask you for a copy of a FFL(Federal Firearms License) before accepting your package. If you don't diclose that it is a firearm in the package, and they check, kiss it goodbye. They may also turn you in, since it is a criminal offense! Regards Dave 0 -
A non-licensee may ship a long gun by USPS, where permitted, without notifying the shipper.
A non-licensee must notify a common carrier (UPS, FEDEX) that the shipment contains a firearm. DOJ could charge an offender under several sections of Title 18 USC Chapter 44 Sect 922; it could be in the 1-10 year range.
Generally, it's better to read Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide (ATF P5300.4) rather than depend upon the opinions of those of us who read this forum.
Neal0 -
Things have changed fellows. Go to usps.gov and look at USPS publication 52. Paragraph 431. You might learn something new! 0 -
You are not required to notify the carrier that a package contains a firearm when you are shipping to a licensee. Notification is only required when a firearm is being shipped to a nonlicensee. Yes, there are several exceptions in the regulations that allow shipment to a nonlicensee. Here is an excerpt from the regulation. I added the emphasis.
Sec. 178.31 Delivery by common or contract carrier.
(a) No person shall knowingly deliver or cause to be delivered to
any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in
interstate or foreign commerce to any person OTHER THAN a licensed
importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector,
any package or other container in which there is any firearm or
ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or
ammunition is being transported or shipped: Provided, That any passenger
who owns or legally possesses a firearm or ammunition being transported
aboard any common or contract carrier for movement with the passenger in interstate
or foreign commerce may deliver said firearm or ammunition into the
custody of the pilot, captain, conductor or operator of such common or
contract carrier for the duration of that trip without violating any
provision of this part.
I have two different letters from BATF Hq confirming my reading.0 -
p3skyking, I just read USPS Pub 52, para 431 and it all seems to be in agreement with what nmers posted. Can you be more specific about what has changed and what we might learn from reading the cited pub? 0 -
It's not just long guns any more. With exceptions, you can now ship handguns in regular mail, especially antiques, curios and relics. 0 -
skyking, you must be reading a different Pub 52 than Herschel or me.
The latest revision (July 1999), Exhibit 432.1 on page 65, says:
"Unloaded Handgun Mailer must be licensed manufacturer or dealer mailing to another licensed manufacturer or dealer."
The only exceptions are the FBI and LEO's. There is no mention of curios & relics. (And, BATF has specifically stated that C&R holders are NOT authorized to use USPS to send or receive handguns.)
Am I missing something?
Neal0 -
Misquoted paragraph number, you have to read down a bit.
432.1 General
The following conditions apply:
a. Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person (referred to as handguns) are nonmailable in the domestic mail except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM C024.1.0.
b. The disassembled parts of a handgun or other type of nonmailable firearm that can be readily reassembled as a weapon are nonmailable except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM C024.1.0 or C024.2.0.
c. Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are generally permitted as specified in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM C024.2.0
<P>For a long time, we could not even mail ANY type of pistol or revolver. This is quite an improvement. Perhaps I missed something about the original question. I saw no mention of non-FFL or FFL shipping. Just shipping.0 -
It seems to me, if you didn't want your firearm to walk off with someone during shipping, it would be better not to tell anyone what you have in your box? 0
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