Problem shipping flintlock...need advice

F

Famas

New member
Hello - I originally posted this question in the Laws and Civil Rights thread, and was recommended that I re-post my question here.

I recently made a purchase of a replica flintlock musket from an individual in Virginia. I live in Indiana. The seller has informed me that his MBE guy (what does MBE stand for?) will not ship this musket from Virginia to Indiana without an FFL. This is the first time I've heard of this. It is my understanding that in recent years there have been some changes made to BP laws from state to state. Is it the carrier that is causing the hold up? (USPS, FedEx, etc?) As far as I know, there are no such restrictions in Indiana...is it more restrictive in VA? I've looked on the NRA-ILA site concerning state laws, but nothing specific concerning a black powder musket.

Anyway, the person I work for is an FFL holder, but he is also confused by this FFL requirement for shipping a flintlock. As of now, the transfer is being held up on this technicality. Can anyone help with advice or thoughts?

Thank you.
 
The seller can mail it, USPS; as an antique under the law, there is no need to go through a dealer on either end. Sometimes there is a need to talk to the Postmaster and make sure he or she understands the situation, but I have had no problem mailing antiques and repros of antiques.

Jim
 
MBE is probably a mailing service, Mail Boxes, Etc. They basically pack items and turn them over to one of the commercial carriers. Like many of the retail storefronts that handle UPS and FedEx packages they don't have a clue what the laws are.

There are no restrictions on shipping or transferring black powder weapons via common carrier, or USPS either, for that matter.
 
SHIPPING

It sounds like the seller dose not feel like doing the packing ? It sounds like the seller took the musket to a box wrap and ship and said ship this ??
Most BRS stores have no idea what a gun is be it black powder or not .

You do not need an FFL you can go ahead and pay for an FFL if you like .
It sounds like someone may be trying to get a extra buck or two from you ?
 
Yup what Mykeal said.

Problem here is Mailboxes Etc. employee does not know what constitutes a firearm and what does not.

Steve
 
Problem here is Mailboxes Etc. employee does not know what constitutes a firearm and what does not.
Click to expand...

Never dealt with Mailboxes, but I can tell you that some USPS employees and UPS employees don't know their employers' policies related to guns. Sometimes it seems to be sort of luck of the draw whether you get someone who knows what they are doing. I had to try three times to get a USPS worker who knew that it is legal to mail a (modern cartridge) shotgun to a FFL in another state.
 
Rigmarol - His location indicates he's French but in the US at this time.

Correct.

To all - thank you for your advice and help. I did finally receive my reprodction Charleville m.1766. The problem was the carrier, not the seller. It would seem that carrier services all have made their own rules concerning BP firearms, regardless of national/state law. In my case (and the seller's), FedEx was happy to expedite.
 
Less than a month ago I took delivary via USPS of a .45 caliber flintlock. Ohio to Florida -- no issue.

.02

David :)
 
Not had a problem in thirty yrs. Only they come USPS and not UPS now. I took a Remmy 58 in the post office here and coulldn't find the right size box and the guy not only help me find a box he packed it up for me.:)
 
What others have said. Muzzle loaders are shipped like they are shoes, no problems. But, we do have more and more uninformed clerks and handlers who will claim, ignorantly, that such and such cannot be shipped. They are too stupid to argue with. Makes a hassle but just go elsewhere. I use USPS Click-N-Ship. Check the box with the restrictions and mail man picks up at my door hassle free.
 
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