Question about shipping a pistol

[T 700]

Does anybody know the laws on shipping a pistol, i have one i want to sale. Any info would be great.

Thanks T 700

 

[jonbearman]

It has to go FFL to FFL and must go 2nd day air via ups.Your FFl holder can fill you in.You have to build some of the costs into your sale.

 

[alf]

It does not have to ship from a FFL.....

 

[Mark S in NM]

It does not have to ship from a FFL.....

alf is correct you can send it but only to a ffl licensee. Once sold have buyer's ffl holder send, fax or e-mail you signed and dated file copy of his licence once you get check here https://www.atfonline.gov/fflezcheck/
to see if ok if so you must send via FedEx or UPS to the name and address on the license. Both FedEx and UPS usually make private individual ship next day air because it cuts down the time their employees have to steal it, no kidding. You can not ship via USPS.

To add if you know an ffl holder it will be cheaper to pay him say $20 to ship for you. FFL to FFL CAN ship via USPS use priority flat rate cost $12.95 + insurance if you desire. That way your in it $32.95 in lieu of $50-$60

 

[areaone]

Mark is on the spot on this. I have shipped a number of them and use an FFL it is cheaper in the long run
Oh yes, not to long ago FED EX had caught a number of employees in the New York area stealing these pistols that were shipped in their required manner. What a deal, you pay for insurance so that the employee can steal it and you are reimbursed....Only in America.

 

[xdshooter]

federal law is it has to ship ffl to ffl, on a longgun can shipped from a non ffl but has to be shipped to ffl

 

[fdshuster]

T 700: You're getting a lot of different answers here. Go right to the ATF site & get the facts, and keep a copy for your records. I have shipped long guns out of state to the buyers FFL dealer ( even California), but handguns going across state lines are a whole different matter.

 

[jonbearman]

I am going on the people's republic of new york,LOL If you are smart and the pistol is on a permit that requires the county to remove it after the sale,some states including mine ,the dealer will issue a special card for you to have it removed from your permit,that way you are no longer responsible for that firearm. Some state's allow the owner to ship straight to an ffl only if the ffl is buying the firearm. Play it safe.

 

[fdshuster]

jons final words: "play it safe". In this case I would go thru a FFL dealer in your home state. The burden of complying with all laws then shifts from you to the sending dealer. Your firearms serial number is on the books with that dealer as having been legally transferred to the new owner. Might cost a couple Dollars more ( add it to the sale price), but to me, well worth the peace of mind.

 

[Erud]

Here's the pertinent info:

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]

and where it came from:

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/unlicensed-persons.html#shipping-firearms-carrier

You may have state laws that affect this also. Don't be afraid to call your local ATF office for clarification if you aren't sure about something. I'have on several occasions and have found them to be knowledgeable and friendly - no kidding.

Erik

 

[artbosco]

Does anybody know the laws on shipping a pistol, i have one i want to sale. Any info would be great. Thanks T 700

Here's what the NRA-ILA [National Rifle Association Institute For Legislative Action] site has to offer on the shipping of pistols:

Shipping Firearms

Firearms may not be mailed or shipped interstate from one non-FFL to another non-FFL. Personally owned rifles and shotguns may be mailed or shipped to an FFL in any state for any lawful purpose, including sale, repair, or customizing. An FFL may ship a firearm or replacement firearm of the same kind and type to a person from whom it was received.

Under U.S. Postal regulations, handguns may be sent via the Postal Service only from one FFL to another FFL, or between authorized government officials.

A person may ship a rifle or shotgun to himself, in care of a person who lives in another state, for purposes of hunting.

Firearms or ammunition delivered to a common carrier for shipment must be accompanied by a written notice to the carrier of the contents of the shipment.

Site Source: http://www.nraila.org/gunlaws/federal/read.aspx?id=60

No comment or caveat as to a mandatory specified mode or duration of movement. Is the NRA the best source of this kind of information? Who knows. It's just one.

 

[artbosco]

It has to go FFL to FFL and must go 2nd day air via ups.Your FFl holder can fill you in. You have to build some of the costs into your sale.

Jon, Can you provide me with a reference on the 2nd day air requirement via UPS? I can't seem to find it anywhere and I'd like to read the specifics. Thanks.

 

[Taildrag15X]

Outdoorsman,

This is from a quick guide from my UPS account:

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.html

The Laws that govern this "requirement" are under Title 18 U.S.C. and are outlined in the post above and on the UPS link.

 

[xdshooter]

still does not tell you that a handgun unlike a longgun must be shipped ffl to ffl and done sec day. I am a ffl dealer its the law. I private citizen can not ship a handgun legally. The posts with ups shipping lack the fact that it must be shipped ffl to ffl so does the atf info, it just says you can ship but not that it has to be done by ffl, call your state police or atf, or even call your local ffl for verification.

 

[Mark S in NM]

still does not tell you that a handgun unlike a longgun must be shipped ffl to ffl and done sec day. I am a ffl dealer its the law. I private citizen can not ship a handgun legally. The posts with ups shipping lack the fact that it must be shipped ffl to ffl so does the atf info, it just says you can ship but not that it has to be done by ffl, call your state police or atf, or even call your local ffl for verification.

XD that is as clear as mud.

 

[xdshooter]

try shipping a handgun an ffl will not accpet it unless it is shipped ffl to ffl, its not clear in the posts, i have no reason to tell you differerent i have been a dealer for 16 years

 

[xdshooter]

mark what you put only applies to longguns

 

[Erud]

still does not tell you that a handgun unlike a longgun must be shipped ffl to ffl and done sec day. I am a ffl dealer its the law. I private citizen can not ship a handgun legally. The posts with ups shipping lack the fact that it must be shipped ffl to ffl so does the atf info, it just says you can ship but not that it has to be done by ffl, call your state police or atf, or even call your local ffl for verification.

Sorry, you are mistaken. See my post above with direct quotes from the ATF firearms FAQ page. A private citizen can indeed ship a handgun legally.

 

[xdshooter]

try it you find your wrong call them

 

[Erud]

try shipping a handgun an ffl will not accpet it unless it is shipped ffl to ffl, its not clear in the posts, i have no reason to tell you differerent i have been a dealer for 16 years

I have shipped many handguns to FFL's and my FFL dealer has received handguns shipped from private citizens numerous times with no problems. The ATF is perfectly fine with it, you may have laws in your state that vary.