Moving from IL to TX. Need advise on getting my firearms down to TX

R

RancidWannaRiot

Inactive
Hello all,

Here's the situation:
-Moving to TX form IL
-Moving company will not transport Firearms for me
-I plan to take a one way flight to TX. I will fly out of O'hare and do not want to mess with the monster that is Chicago and Cook county IL. I really don't want to bring them with me as checked items in the airplane. I have enough trouble getting on to airplanes these days (I'm on some sort of TSA notify list for no good reason).

As far as I can tell, the federal firearms act of 68 would only allow me to ship my firearm to an FFL. Is that correct? I contacted an FFL in TX, and they are claiming I can ship my pistols straight to my new address because they are already mine. It's not like I'm selling them to someone and need them transferred. I'm not sure what to make of this because most info out there is related to shipping firearms for people that are selling a firearm to someone else (i.e. people that need to do a FFL transfer because of a change in ownership). How does this work for someone that just wants to get the firearms he already owns down there?

I really want to avoid having to drive my car for 20 hours just to get my stuff down there. :(

Thoughts?

Also, it appears that FedEX and UPS would only ship to FFLs anyway. Is this just a case of the FFL dealer in TX not really knowing this?

The other issue is, apparently for an FFL transfer I need a valid TX ID...

This is so stressful.. :(
 
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To me it's a matter of what are my guns worth? Personally I'd take my guns and other valuable and fragile things and transport them myself in my car.
It's really not that bad of a drive (ok, crossing Kansas is bad, I'll admit that). I've made it more than a few times from MN, I have cousins and an Uncle in TX and I like driving anyhow. Trip can be made in a day if you get up early (straight down I35 for me though).
 
I do not know what company you have chosen to move you or when the rule changed, guns are listed with serial numbers on a high value list of items, that means both you and the diver sign an inventory sheet the guns went on the truck and when they arrive you both sign the same inventory the guns arrived with other high value items AND make sure the items are loaded in the from left corner of the trailer. If you have to and are not too committed to change companies find a company that understands you are moving with guns. Warning, mark (label) all carton and box contents as books and bricks, thieves can read TV, DVD, CD, PC.
Pick a moving company that is not out of Chicago, tell the moving company you want a driver from TEXAS.

F. Guffey
 
Disclaimer: not a lawyer.

IAW federal regulations, you can ship your firearms to yourself for any "lawful activity" or when moving.

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

Q: May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity?

Yes. A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the State where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.

Q: May a person who is relocating out of State move firearms with other household goods?

Yes. A person who lawfully possesses a firearm may transport or ship the firearm interstate when changing his or her State of residence.

Certain NFA firearms must have prior approval from the Bureau of ATF before they may be moved interstate. The person must notify the mover that firearms are being transported. He or she should also check State and local laws where relocating to ensure that movement of firearms into the new State does not violate any State law or local ordinance.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(4) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.28 and 478.31]
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Dealing with FedEx/UPS and firearms is always an adventure. Your long guns can go USPS if that's easier. Break them down into a box that looks like any other.
 
Who did you talk to with the moving company? Did you get it from the corporate office that they would not move firearms? Any moving company that the US Government uses to move military members MUST move their personal, unloaded firearms.

And, yes, if you ship your firearms to a TX FFL, you will have to have a TX ID (Driver's License) in order to retrieve them. You will also have to a form 4473 and NICS background check. And if you are getting more than one handgun your transfer will also be reported to the ATF and local police on a multiple handgun transfer report.

How is your car getting to TX?
 
Ammo is different, they can say ammo is flammable, and it is.

Contact me and I will put you incontact with a company that knows the laws and rules, they will send the driver with an order for service that states the agreement between the company you and the driver.

And if there are questions a phone number to the operations manager is available to the driver.

F. Guffey
 
Hopefully I can answer all the questions:

- The moving company is Beltmann North American. I think that company is ok with shipping firearms, however this is all being paid for by my wife's company. My wife's company explicitly said that they will not allow firearms to be moved.

- The cars are to also be shipped (paid for by the company), however, perhaps we will ship one and drive the other one given the situation (maybe the country air on the way over to TX would be a good idea).

- I'll have to look into this some more though. The responses are helpful.
 
Moved from WI to AZ and loaded the car with Guns, Ammo, Guitars and Computers. Everything the movers wouldn't take, or I didn't trust them to take.
 
- The cars are to also be shipped (paid for by the company), however, perhaps we will ship one and drive the other one given the situation (maybe the country air on the way over to TX would be a good idea).
Click to expand...

+1. Also, you could do a separate contract with the moving company yourself to do the firearms on your dime. If you have homeowner's/renter's insurance, that will usually cover your goods in a move. Sounds like your wife's company may be self insured, like the US Government is, and it is an insurance liability thing.
 
I moved from Illinois to Arizona in 1989. Believe it or not it is a great drive.

Went through Saint Louis and down to Springfield, Missouri and then west on I-44.

It is a great drive and I put ALL my guns in the van and took them out when I stopped at night and had no problems at all.

Geetarman:D
 
I am an attorney and I also have an FFL. You can ship your own guns to your new address and be legal. If you do not want to do that, have them shipped to me and I will only charge 1/2 rate for the transfer ($15) on each. They can stay at my office until you get your address established and get a TX DL. Anyone coming from up there should get a break moving to Texas. Glad to have you and if I can help, PM me and I will respond.


:D :D :D :D :D
 
You could box them up and ship them freight with an Estes or Fedex Freight type of company. Unless your shipping a ton of guns you will probably hit the minimum charge based on the wt. I would think that would run you around $200 or so for 2 or 3 day service. Depending on the car you drive it might be cheaper on gas just to drive.

Good on you for getting out of IL.
 
dissasemble them (feild strip should do) and pack them in multiple boxes. dont tell the moves whats in them ans send them on the truck with ur furniture

me personally, i would drive them down my self, ur cars got to get there some how


PS: if ur shipping ur car u could pack them in the trunk, and ship them that way.
 
Looks like the wife's company does not want to be responsible for loss/theft/damages to firearms. Even if the company that is moving is not part of thier company. Personaly I would do the drive part. If it is you and the wife, you can split the driving. You are going to love the easy going gun laws here in Texas. If you have a valid Texas ID you can purchase a gun, and leave the store with it the same day. Background check will go as fast as the person handling the transaction can do it over the phone. Most that I see purchase one it usualy takes about 10 minutes. If you get a CHL you can leave the store with it as soon as you fill out the paperwork, and pay.
 
I'm with Guffy ... we made the drive from Austin to Freeport last summer for a reunion and had a ball ... lovely country -- we loved Iowa -- took in the OK City bombing museum (a few tears there) and carried a gun the whole way, keeping it locked up, of course, in Illinois ... much safer, no risk of loss and you've had a great road trip ...
 
I would spend the 20 hours to drive the important stuff (high value or sensitive stuff) to Texas. It depends on how much you're talking about. You have to get your car down there anyway, right. (I see the company is moving the vehicles.) Been there and done that more than a couple times. Move the important stuff yourself. If it is not important to you, why even worry about it?

Other options are to leave most things with parents or friends and return later to haul the stuff down after things stabilize a bit in your life in a new place. You'll enjoy Texas. I liked it when I was younger, but never cared much for the Houston area.
 
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Sounds like you're in a pickle.

Ship to a TX FFL, and get a TX ID when you get in state so you can take delivery of your items.

Or drive them yourself (doesn't it suck how that keeps coming up).
 
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