USPS and shipping rifle

[Melvin]

Got a surprise when I went to ship a rifle at our local USPS location. I was told that you now had to be a dealer. I went through this once before. I asked if this was a recent ruling. Desk clerk did not know, gave me the number of the local Post Master. I will call her today. Do i need to ask her for a copy of a directive pertaining to this, or just call the U. S Postmaster's office??
When I went through this before, I contacted USPS through email, and got the standard reply of them just referring me to the rules on their website. Well, on the website, it states that you CAN mail to an FFL.
I had a rifle mailed to my FFL back in Aug., and he used the USPS, so I know, at least then, it was legal
This is so frustrating!!!
Anyone shipped a rifle by USPS very recently???
Thanks,
Melvin

 

[Dean Slater]

I have shipped several rifles that I have sold or to the gunsmith for work using the Post Office the last one being 2 weeks ago. I have never had any trouble.

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

Try a different clerk...

 

[Melvin]

Try a different clerk...

Mark,
At this small P. O., there is no other clerk!! ;^)
Melvin

 

[jcullen]

You, as a civilian, can mail a RIFLE to anyone in your own state,You can mail to a FFL in any state

 

[mikecr]

When you talk to the postmaster, direct her,ever so gently) to Domestic Mail Manual,DMM) section 600; 'Malability'
Here's a link to it:
http://pe.usps.gov/search/jsp/search/vv_docread.jsp?k2dockey=http%3A%2F%2Fpe.usps.com%2Ftext%2Fdmm300%2F601.htm%40PE_DMM300_HTML_5&serverSpec=56.0.145.56:9920&QueryParser=Simple&querytext=%28firearm%29&dtype=2#hit0

Yeah, all that.....
Important in it, is section 11.3 for long guns
What trips up clerks,who should know this stuff), is 11.1 for concealable & handguns.

Good luck friend

 

[Melvin]

I finally got a chance to talk to the local Post Master. She said it was illegal, and I told her very respectfully that I disagreed with her. To her credit, she told me she would get clarification, and get back to me. She called me back promptly, and said that I was right, and she was wrong, and that is was possible to mail a rifle. I respected her for admitting she was wrong, and she was very cordial. But I wonder why so many postal employees don't know the rules.
So, all is well
Melvin

 

[rayjay]

Melvin,
They got so many rules NOBODY could remember all of them.

Ray

 

[JayIdaho]

Mailed a rifle two weeks ago, in a cheap hard case,inside the cardboard box turned wrong-side out) and insured it for $1000.
The clerk asked, "Is this a gun?" I replied, yes it is but you are not supposed to ask me what it is, just is it glass, dangerous, etc. She and another clerk discussed it briefly and away it went.
This was an experienced clerk in a town of about 30,000 and it was only the second gun that she had ever handled. You can't expect them to know all about everything they might handle.

 

[mikecr]

why so many postal employees don't know the rules?

They're not satisfied, until you're not satisfied:crazy: