Moving: How Do I ship/move my Guns?

If possible back the uhaul up to a wall when parking... If traveling in two vehicles, and the second is big enough, you can park the second to block the door.
 
jmr40 said:
There is a remote possibility of legal problems in a handful of states depending on the exact weapons. I'd avoid Illinois, and certain cities along the way such as Denver. Even then it might not be an issue, but it might be worth checking the laws concerning AR's, handguns and hi-cap mags along the route.
They'll be just fine in Illinois, even if they pass through a jurisdiction where one of his guns may be banned as an "assault weapon". State law preempts home rule laws wrt the transportation of firearms, and all state law requires is that the firearm be unloaded and in a container. A zippered case is fine, no lock is required and it doesn't have to even be a case specifically made for a firearm. You can even have a loaded magazine in the same container, just don't have the magazine in the gun!

The Illinois State Police FAQ on their web site is out of date btw and doesn't reflect changes to the law in the past few years.

(430 ILCS 65/2) (from Ch. 38, par. 83-2)
Sec. 2. Firearm Owner's Identification Card required; exceptions.

(b) The provisions of this Section regarding the possession of firearms, firearm ammunition, stun guns, and tasers do not apply to:

(9) Nonresidents whose firearms are unloaded and

enclosed in a case;
(10) Nonresidents who are currently licensed or

registered to possess a firearm in their resident state;

----------------------------------------------------------------------

(430 ILCS 65/13.1) (from Ch. 38, par. 83-13.1)
Sec. 13.1. Preemption.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in the Firearm Concealed Carry Act and subsections (b) and (c) of this Section, the provisions of any ordinance enacted by any municipality which requires registration or imposes greater restrictions or limitations on the acquisition, possession and transfer of firearms than are imposed by this Act, are not invalidated or affected by this Act.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section, the regulation, licensing, possession, and registration of handguns and ammunition for a handgun, and the transportation of any firearm and ammunition by a holder of a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card issued by the Department of State Police under this Act are exclusive powers and functions of this State. Any ordinance or regulation, or portion of that ordinance or regulation, enacted on or before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly that purports to impose regulations or restrictions on a holder of a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card issued by the Department of State Police under this Act in a manner that is inconsistent with this Act, on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, shall be invalid in its application to a holder of a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card issued by the Department of State Police under this Act.

(e) This Section is a denial and limitation of home rule powers and functions under subsection (h) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution.
 
I avoided traveling thru states that didn't recognized my handgun licenses...
Also look for states that allow "peaceable journey" meaning that they allow you to pass through with firearms
 
work related moves

In my work related moves, I could not in good conscience put my guns in the hands of some unknown contract mover. I cased them up, along with all the ammo, covered them up, and they went in the back of the pickup with the cap on it, w/ me to the new residence/assignment. My collection has grown since those days, but I would do it the same way again if I had too.

Fortunately, in those instances, I generally knew enough folks along the way that if I needed to overnight, I ended up at an acquaintences place, and I did not have to contend with guns in the truck at some obscure motel lot.
 
I have moved across the country a few times, and have always rented a panel van or truck to move my personal valuables, including my guns.
 
In my work related moves, I could not in good conscience put my guns in the hands of some unknown contract mover.

Why not? Movers moved a box of my guns with a declared value of almost $30,000. All was declared, listed, photos taken, extra insurance. No problem at all.
 
Why not? Movers moved a box of my guns with a declared value of almost $30,000

While it appears you covered your firearms well, did you verify no one on the moving staff was a prohibited person?

Just a thought.
 
While it appears you covered your firearms well, did you verify no one on the moving staff was a prohibited person?
I think that is reaching. When you ship your firearms UPS, do you verify all their drivers and cargo handling people are not prohibited persons? What about the post office?
 
I think that is reaching. When you ship your firearms UPS, do you verify all their drivers and cargo handling people are not prohibited persons? What about the post office?

Good point!
But then, I don't tell the post office that it's a firearm.
And I don't use UPS unless I absolutely have to.
 
CowTowner said:
...I don't tell the post office that it's a firearm....

You're aware, I hope, that under federal law handguns may not legally be mailed (USPS) by anyone who is not an FFL (18 USC 1715):
Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable and shall not be deposited in or carried by the mails or delivered by any officer or employee of the Postal Service. Such articles may be conveyed in the mails, under such regulations as the Postal Service shall prescribe, for use in connection with their official duty, to officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps; to officers of the National Guard or Militia of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District; to officers of the United States or of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitments; to employees of the Postal Service; to officers and employees of enforcement agencies of the United States; and to watchmen engaged in guarding the property of the United States, a State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District. Such articles also may be conveyed in the mails to manufacturers of firearms or bona fide dealers therein in customary trade shipments, including such articles for repairs or replacement of parts, from one to the other, under such regulations as the Postal Service shall prescribe....

And under the regulations of the United States Postal Service, USPS Publication 52, 432.24, FFLs must file with the Postmaster a:
...Statement by Shipper of Firearms, signed by the mailer that he or she is a licensed manufacturer, dealer, or importer of firearms. The mailer must also state that the parcels containing handguns, or parts and components of handguns under 432.2d, are being mailed in customary trade shipments or contain such articles for repairing or replacing parts, and that to the best of their knowledge the addressees are licensed manufacturers, dealers, or importers of firearms. Registered Mail service is recommended.

And with regard to the mailing of rifles and shotguns, see USPS Publication 52, 432.2 (emphasis added):
432.3 Rifles and Shotguns

Except under 431.2, unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable. Mailers must comply with the rules and regulations under 27 CFR, Part 478, as well as state and local laws....​

Therefore USPS rules require that someone mailing a long gun to a non-licensee so advise the USPS in writing in accordance with 27 CFR 478.31(a), which provides (emphasis added):
(a) No person shall knowingly deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce to any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped:...
 
You're aware, I hope, that under federal law handguns may not legally be mailed (USPS) by anyone who is not an FFL

I am indeed aware of that. The only shipping I have done is long gun to gunsmith or other repair facility. As in my recent shipment of a Mauser receiver to ER Shaw to have a barrel fitted.
I have not dispersed any of my C&R firearms, so no need to ship them.
 
CowTowner said:
...The only shipping I have done is long gun to gunsmith or other repair facility...
Okay, but this thread is about the OP moving and shipping his guns to himself (or having them moved with him).
 
While it appears you covered your firearms well, did you verify no one on the moving staff was a prohibited person?

Just a thought.

Don't care, my contract was with the company; nothing happened, all would have been covered; just wish I could have shipped some of the stuff they wouldn't take............
 
Shippers such as FedX can deliver packages on a specified date, so that a person could ship something to a new address and they won't arrive to after the sender has got there.
 
I have moved a number of times. I placed the handguns in book cartons in soft cases usually and sealed them up. Long guns frequently ended up in the back seat or in the back of a pickup padded as needed.

What you probably want to avoid is moving the long guns indoors (motels) at night as it brings attention to the firearms. Just keep the truck locked up, park in a well lighted area, and generally keep an eye on it.

If I were you, I would wrap the long guns and fit as many as possible inside the safe, close, and lock door. The rest can be placed with the other belongings in cases or wrapped in blankets and placed where they won't move around inside the truck. The handguns would all go inside the book cartons and placed with the rest of your household stuff inside the U-Haul.
 
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