Shipping a rifle to a gunsmith

[Texas10]

It was like 10+ years ago. I am thinkin it was a statement that there was no ammo involved.. But I am 73 years old and have slept since then. But it did happen. The same clerk is still there. I may go ask next time I pick up the mail.

Ditto that. I arrived at the local USPS office to ship a rifle to a FFL. Clerk said USPS does not allow shipment of firearms, I replied "your website says you do". Another clerk informed her that yes indeed, a long arm is allowable.

I could have kept silent about what was in the box, but in this case I felt it's better to educate them so there would not be an issue for some future customer.

 

[divingin]

this is all Federal law. I'm in comiforina. we have additional laws with ca doj regarding shipping, so I suggest you also look at the State laws for each state.

As far as returning a firearm to manufacturer or gunsmith for repair/modification?

I don't know of any California laws regarding this. Though aside from one pistol going to Florida, I haven't really had to do that. When I shipped the pistol to Pardini, I had a hell of time getting UPS to accept the package, but that was a UPS problem and not the state.

 

[Brians356]

It's been a while. But the PO guy asked if it was a fire arm. I said yes. He said fill out this form. I stated it was for repair. He said still have to do the form. That's all. If I had just shipped the barrel and it wasn't obvious that this item might be a fire arm he prolly wouldn't have asked. But he did. Only took a sec to fill the form out. Go to the PO and ask.

Next time someone at the P.O. asks if it's a firearm, say "Not that I'm aware of. Why do you ask?" If he says he's required to ask, say "Well, you asked." If he persists, ask him to cite the particular statute requiring you to divulge it's a firearm.
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[Ken Lewis]

Next time someone at the P.O. asks if it's a firearm, say "Not that I'm aware of. Why do you ask?" If he says he's required to ask, say "Well, you asked." If he persists, ask him to cite the particular statute requiring you to divulge it's a firearm.
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Here is what the ATF "Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide"' (ATF P 5300.4) says:

(B9) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by 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 178.31, 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U. S. Postal Service?
A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. A nonlicensee may not transfer any firearm to a nonlicensed resident of another state. The Postal Service recommends that longguns 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.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

 

[joshb]

It was like 10+ years ago. I am thinkin it was a statement that there was no ammo involved.. But I am 73 years old and have slept since then. But it did happen. The same clerk is still there. I may go ask next time I pick up the mail.

You don’t look that old in your pic!

 

[Brians356]

When I ship a rifle, I remove the stock, wrap the barreled action in bubble-wrap/paper/cardboard, wrap the stock with paper or bubble-wrap, then lay the barreled action and stock side-by-side in a compact head-to-toe (butt pad alongside the muzzle) orientation in a shorter box I usually cut/fold out of a cardboard sheet myself to suit. This avoids using a telltale long/skinny "rifle/shotgun" box, and the shorter box is actually stronger as well. It's doubtful anyone would ever ask if it's a firearm, and there's less chance someone would steal it along the route.
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[TheOtherZilla]

You don’t look that old in your pic!

I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now

 

[Brians356]

Here is what the ATF "Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide"' (ATF P 5300.4) says:

(B9) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by 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 178.31, 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U. S. Postal Service?
A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. A nonlicensee may not transfer any firearm to a nonlicensed resident of another state. The Postal Service recommends that longguns 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.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

The section pertaining to USPS does not say anything about notifying them it's a firearm. The USPS is not a "common or contract carrier", hence the separate verbiage. Also, I do not recommend shipping it registered mail, and I have been so advised by FFLs I have shipped to.
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[TheOtherZilla]

Zactly.. But the Byrds had the hit..

 

[antelopedundee]

The full concert here if you don't mind a Russian source.

From Russia with love.

https://ok.ru/video/208269543957

In all honesty I've never mailed a firearm nor seen anyone do so.

 

[Ken Lewis]

The section pertaining to USPS does not say anything about notifying them it's a firearm. The USPS is not a "common or contract carrier", hence the separate verbiage. Also, I do not recommend shipping it registered mail, and I have been so advised by FFLs I have shipped to.
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Here are the USPS regs, in part, that pertain to shipping firearms including rifles and shotguns which can be shipped by non-licensees. Not declaring the package contents as a firearm will put the mailer at risk of noncompliance. USPS won't know the package contents and exercise due diligence in insuring the weapon is unloaded and/or in compliance with other regulations.

As an aside, has anyone on this forum reading this thread filed a claim with USPS for a damaged or lost firearm that they didn't declare at the time of shipment?

432 Mailability​

432.1 General

Mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968, all of the provisions of postal law in 18 U.S.C. 1715, and all other all federal and state regulations and local ordinances affecting the movement of firearms. The following also applies:

The Postal Service may require the mailer to open parcels containing firearms or air guns or give written certification that the weapon is unloaded and not concealable.

 

[jelenko]

give written certification that the weapon is unloaded

Ah, ha.

 

[Brians356]

Ah, ha.

"The Postal Service may require the mailer to open parcels containing firearms or air guns or give written certification that the weapon is unloaded and not concealable."

There's the lawyer's favorite wiggle word "may". Think "may issue" vs "shall issue" a concealed carry permit. If the USPS elects not to open it or ask for a written certification, that's on them. If the package is subsequently subject to an insurance claim, they can't say "Gotcha! You never told us it was a firearm."
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[Brians356]

Re: shipping Registered Mail: The last chap I sent a rifle registered mail to, a gunsmith and builder, told me:

"Registered Mail was an expensive mistake. I hope it does not cause delivery problems on this end. I ship rifles all over the US. USPS Priority mail with adequate insurance assures tracking and security."
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