RampantAndroid OK, so....I have my Glock 21, and now that I have some wheelguns, I want to sell the Glock...and my brother wants a self defense gun. I'm in WA, he is in PA. How do I ship it? What must I do?
Can I just USPS it to him? Or must an FFL be involved? How can I send my defense rounds to him?
I looked around online and didn't find much help, just some stuff about UPS rules due to thefts and whatnot.
Thanks!
To be compliant with Federal law you can only ship the firearm to a licensed dealer in Pennsylvania. If you ship it directly to your brother you both commit a Federal crime. Tell your brother to use the "Find a Transfer Dealer" search engine on GunBroker:
http://www.gunbroker.com/FFL/DealerNetwork.aspx
He should shop around as transfer fees vary greatly.
If you ship it yourself:
1. Make sure the receiving dealer is okay with a nonlicensee shipping the firearm...some aren't. Usually all the receiving dealer will require is a copy of your drivers license enclosed with the gun.
2. Only licensed dealers and manufacturers can mail a handgun through USPS....if you do it you commit a Federal crime. (Mere mortals can only mail rifles & shotguns via the USPS). Which means you must use a "common carrier" such as FedEx or UPS. Both require that you use Overnight or Next Day service.......which isn't cheap. If you choose to violate their shipping policies and ship it Ground you will get nada on a claim for lost, damaged or stolen package.
3. If you choose UPS you cannot just drop it off at the local UPS Store but must follow their procedures:
http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.html?srch_pos=3&srch_phr=handgun
If you choose FedEx you can drop it off at any FedEx Office location:
http://fedex.com/us/service-guide/terms/index.html
Whoever you choose I highly recommend that you print out those policies and take them with you. Not every clerk is aware of every possible regulation and no matter what they tell you is "okay"......if it violates that written UPS/FedEx policy (called a tariff) you will be the loser.
Neither UPS or FedEx allow firearm shipments from a third party retailer (Mailboxes USA, Bob's Pak n Ship, etc)
4. The cheapest method would be for you to find a licensed dealer at your end who will mail it via USPS for you. For example, I charge $10 plus actual postage & insurance to mail a handgun USPS. If it fits in a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate box my customers rarely pay more than $32 total. (vs $60 or more for FedEx/UPS). All you would need to provide to your local dealer is the FFL from the receiving dealer in PA.