Handgun shipping by consumer - now I'm confused

From the ATF website:
http://www.atf.treas.gov/core/firearms/information/faq/faqb.htm


Frequently Asked Questions

(B3) May an unlicensed person obtain a firearm from an out-of-State source if he arranges to obtain the firearm through a licensed dealer in his own State?

A person not licensed under the GCA and not prohibited from firearms may order a firearm from an out-of-State source and obtain the firearm if an arrangement is made with a licensed dealer in the purchaser's State of residence for the purchaser to obtain the firearm from the dealer.

[18 U.S.C 922(a)(3) and (5), 922(b)(3), 27 CFR 178.29]

(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the mails?

A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his 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 a handgun to a non licensed 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.

A carrier must be notified that the shipment contains a firearm In addition, Federal law 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) and 922(e), 27 CFR 178.31]

(B9) May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his use in hunting?

Yes. A person may ship a firearm to himself in care of another person in the State where he intends to hunt. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.
 
Here's an article reprinted from TSRA, it is somewhat related to this topic, although it deals with the security phase of shipping firearms:

Suggestions For Shipping Firearms
As a gun owner and an 11-year driver for a major U.S. shipping company, I get a lot of questions from people regarding the safest way to ship and insure firearms through my company. Theft of firearms and other items by our employees, though rare, does occur. However, there are a lot of surprisingly simple and inexpensive ways to virtually guarantee that you will not be a victim.

There are two things that cause thefts from the shipping company, pilfering and over-labeling. Pilferers are primarily thieves of opportunity. Handguns, jewelry, cameras and prescription drugs are their favorite targets because they are easily identifiable and can quickly be shoved into a pocket or in a shirt because of their small size. The "Adult Signature Required" stickers, referred to by the industry as "steal me stickers," are required by law to be placed on these shipments are also a signal to the thieves.

The best way to protect your handgun and other high-dollar shipments is to disguise the shipment and place the items in a large box. Look at the box you are using. If it can be placed under a jacket or in a pocket, it is vulnerable to theft.

Regarding the signature stickers referenced above, the law requires them on all firearms shipments. However, shippers can get a more discrete sticker that is normally incorporated into the tracking label. The words "Adult Signature Required" are small and unnoticeable. Also, the barcode will automatically prompt the driver to obtain a signature. These labels can be ordered from the company.

Another more sophisticated method of theft is "over-labeling." This is where several conspirators plan ahead and get jobs at the shipping company. The thieves print several fake address labels with generic barcodes and a phony return address, and address the shipment to go to a pre-determined location, usually a rented storage unit or apartment. The sorter will use the phony labels on the packages and the driver will unknowingly deliver to an accomplice at the rented location. Since the original barcode is covered, the package vanishes from the system.

To avoid this type of theft, put address labels on all sides of the package. The thief will not want to attempt to cover all six sides of the package since the sorting area is under electronic surveillance.

If you are a gunsmith or store owner who ships guns and the package you are shipping is worth over $1000, inform the driver who picks it up and have him initial the pickup record. The "high value" packages are audited and sorted separately, and not sent through the ordinary conveyor belts.

I feel confident in saying that a handgun that is shipped in a larger-than-normal box of good quality, with a discreet ASR barcode, and addressed on all sides will never get lost or stolen. If you will take these precautions you will not be a victim.

Editor's Note: This article was reprinted from The Target, North Dakota Shooting Sports Association, Inc. The name of the author was withheld from the originating publication.
 
Too much hassle to deal with UPS, etc. I will, in the future, just turn any pistol I wish to ship over to my local ffl holder and have him ship it.
 
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