Shipping a handgun

R

ryanh51

Inactive
You guys are hearing a lot from me lately

I'm trying to move my handgun from North Carolina to Utah. I'm taking a greyhound bus and they absolutely won't allow any firearms on the bus. I read that it's legal to ship "from yourself to yourself" without getting a licensed dealer involved. This seems to be a pretty consistent statement but whether it's legal or not I can't seem to find anyone willing to accommodate me. I've contacted both fedex and ups and they've told me pretty firmly(I may have pressed them a little bit) that their policies won't allow them to ship any handgun without either the recipient or the shipper being a licensed dealer.

My sister will be flying out in a couple months and she SHOULD be able to take it with her in her checked baggage but I'd rather not wait that long. Any advice? Does anyone know of a carrier that will take my gun or an alternative way to move it to utah?(I already have my greyhound ticket so taking a plan is out at this point)
 
Wow, that's discouraging to hear about Greyhound. You wouldn't think they would be even less reasonable than the airlines.
 
Haha I would :P. If I didn't get a military discount there's no way I'd ever get on another bus. It's always a miserable experience but you just can't beat the price

Anyway... I'll cut my rant short haha
 
I've contacted both fedex and ups and they've told me pretty firmly(I may have pressed them a little bit) that their policies won't allow them to ship any handgun without either the recipient or the shipper being a licensed dealer.
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FWIW even if you can get them to agree to take the shipment, their prices are pretty high due to the requirement to use Next Day Air; you'll likely wind up paying $50-$80. :( Another factor is (a) you can't ship from a drop box and (b) most storefront franchise shipment centers won't touch firearms unless you rent a mailbox from them; you'll probably have to ship from a hub, which can be a major PITA if there isn't one nearby (they're generally located near major commercial airports).

I would encourage you to find a local FFL who is willing to ship a handgun for a set price via USPS. He/she can legally ship the handgun in a USPS Flat Rate Box, which is so much cheaper than UPS/FedEx Air that you will probably come out ahead, despite having to pay a transfer fee. :) Hint: get on Gunbroker and look up a "kitchen table" FFL who works out of his/her house; they're often cheaper, friendlier, and more convenient than commercial storefront gun dealers.
 
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carguychris said:
...I would encourage you to find a local FFL who is willing to ship a handgun for a set price via USPS. He/she can legally ship the handgun in a USPS Flat Rate Box,...
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The problem here is that as I read the USPS regulations, a dealer may only mail a handgun to another dealer (or manufacturer or one of a very limited group of people) -- not an individual. And if the handgun is then received by a dealer in another State, he will have a problem releasing it to someone without going through all the usual formalities, including the person to whom the handgun is released demonstrating in a satisfactory manner that he is a resident of the State.

And I'm afraid I don't have a good solution, other than to recommend that the OP find a way to take it with him, even if it means using alternate transportation.
 
You could find a gunsmith (a real one, with an FFL). Give it to him for repair, cleaning, or just 'inspection'. A gunsmith can ship your lawfully owned firearm directly back to you and may get a better shipping rate.
 
Could you not take the gun apart and mail some of the parts to yourself and take some of them with you? I have been mailed cylinders, grips, magazines, etc. without any problem.
 
osbornk said:
Could you not take the gun apart and mail some of the parts to yourself and take some of them with you?...
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In general, the frame is a firearm under federal law (in the case of the Ruger Mark II, the firearm is the upper receiver and barrel assembly). That part would be subject to all laws regarding the shipping or transportation of firearms.
 
UPS will ship a handgun to a person. I have shipped a handgun to a manufacturer for repair. Yes, a manufacturer qualifies as an FFL. But ... the manufacturer replaced the handgun rather than repair the original, and the replacement was shipped directly to me ... via UPS.

Have you discussed with FedEx and UPS what the BATFE says on the subject? Our friends at the BATFE have recently rearranged their FAQ page so that it's now multiple pages that don't seem to be interlinked. Took me awhile to find this, but:
http://www.atf.gov/content/firearms...licensed-persons#shipping-firearms-additional

BATFE said:
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.
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In general, the frame is a firearm under federal law (in the case of the Ruger Mark II, the firearm is the upper receiver and barrel assembly). That part would be subject to all laws regarding the shipping or transportation of firearms.
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Thanks.
 
I'm surprised Greyhound will not accommodate you if the gun is in the cargo hold of the bus. What about this, take the gun apart and take just the frame with you, and mail the barrel, cylinder, bolt, (whatever) parts to yourself.

In other words, will Greyhound let pack just a gun *frame* in your luggage if it's obviously not enough parts to reassemble a usable gun? Check with a supervisor and see if they'll work with you.

That's all I got.
 
...a dealer may only mail a handgun to another dealer (or manufacturer or one of a very limited group of people) -- not an individual. And if the handgun is then received by a dealer in another State, he will have a problem releasing it to someone without going through all the usual formalities, including the person to whom the handgun is released demonstrating in a satisfactory manner that he is a resident of the State.
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I knew that but forgot to write it.

This is what happens when I write in a hurry. :o
 
You could find a gunsmith (a real one, with an FFL). Give it to him for repair, cleaning, or just 'inspection'. A gunsmith can ship your lawfully owned firearm directly back to you and may get a better shipping rate.
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The way this was explained to me by the BATF&E is, a gunsmith can ship back to an individual, however it must go back to the address from where it was received.
So if the gun is received in North Carolina from a North Carolina address I don't believe the gunsmith can ship the gun to Utah without going through another FFL, even though it's going back to the owner of the gun.

As for gunsmiths getting special shipping rates, some may.
However from my own experience I can say I do not.
As a matter of fact I've been told by my local Fed-Ex and UPS depot that a handgun is required to be shipped fastest day air express which is more costly then next day air.

The last handgun I shipped through Fed-Ex went two states away, was insured for $1200.00, shipping cost was about $145.00.
FFL to FFL shipped through the USPS is the cheapest way to go.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
As a matter of fact I've been told by my local Fed-Ex and UPS depot that a handgun is required to be shipped fastest day air express which is more costly then next day air.
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They keep ratcheting that up just to screw us. Pretty soon they will have a special handling charge for guns on top of the most expensive rate.

If he ships it to a gunsmith in Utah (it was Utah, right?) for cleaning and adjusting, can he pick it up in person?
 
If he ships it to a gunsmith in Utah (it was Utah, right?) for cleaning and adjusting, can he pick it up in person?
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Good question, I'm not sure what the answer is.

I would think at worst he may have to do a 4473 and NICS check, however I'm not sure that would be the case either.

I do know the BATF&E has what they refer to as gray areas and they also frown on what they refer to as circumventing the law.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
Discouragingly it's sounding like I might have to wait :/ My sister will be making a trip back home in about 2 months and she can probably pick it up. She lives in Idaho so I can get it from her pretty easy. If nothing else I'll be going back in six months or so(flying this time). It'll end up cheaper and I'll probably feel a LOT more at ease knowing that it'll be under my(or my sister's) direct supervision.

On the bright side, that will give me enough time to get my concealed carry permit :). I just wish I could get some target practice with it in the meantime!

Still very happy with my purchase :)
 
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