Shipping firearms via USPS

[Justabirdwatcher]

Who else here knows that it is perfectly legal to mail a long gun through USPS to a FFL? Time and time again, I run into FFL's and even USPS employees who have no idea this is legal. Just today, I tried to mail a long gun, legally, through USPS to an FFL in another state. The long-time postal employee asked (for the first time) if I was mailing a gun. I answered "yes" and you would have thought I had dynamite in that package by the way he started to step back and raise his hands. He said "we can't do that, you have to use an FFL." I told him yes you can, it's perfectly legal and if you'll allow me to open the box I will show you the paperwork I printed off from the USPS website that says exactly that. Of course, he didn't want me to even open the box, but he did at least say he would look up the policy this evening and I could come back tomorrow to talk with him.

How many of you have run into this?

432.3 Rifles and Shotguns​

1. Rifles and shotguns may be mailed by a non-FFL owner domestically to a FFL dealer, manufacturer, or importer in any state. These items must be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.

 

[Schaaf]

I had to correct my local USPS Postmaster on it before. Thankfully she knows me personally, went and looked it up, and found out I was all good.

I have ran into a lot of FFL’s that won’t accept a rifle from an individual though.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I had to correct my local USPS Postmaster on it before. Thankfully she knows me personally, went and looked it up, and found out I was all good.

I have ran into a lot of FFL’s that won’t accept a rifle from an individual though.

Yes. This can also be a problem.

 

[elkantlers]

You can also ship a firearm to yourself if you want.

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 him 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 “in the care of” the out–of–state resident. Upon reaching its destination, persons other than the owner may not open the package or take possession of the firearm.

 

[TN2shot07]

I have ran into a lot of FFL’s that won’t accept a rifle from an individual though.

None of the local gun shops here will accept from an individual, kinda aggregates some people if you ask them to ship through an FFL.

 

[p_ham]

I usually have clients screenshot the usps regs on their phone just in case they run into problems during drop off.

 

[Keep on]

UPS is also an option to ship, not a UPS Store, but the actual UPS transfer station. I've used both for out of state sales.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

UPS is also an option to ship, not a UPS Store, but the actual UPS transfer station. I've used both for out of state sales.

I have been told that UPS and FedEx will not accept a firearms shipment from an individual. Only USPS will. But perhaps that was incorrect.

 

[D_Walt]

I shipped a rifle back to Savage from my local Post Office about two years ago, guy at the post office was super helpful and it was a very smooth process…I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

You can also ship a firearm to yourself if you want.

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 him 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 “in the care of” the out–of–state resident. Upon reaching its destination, persons other than the owner may not open the package or take possession of the firearm.

Yes, this is also true and very little known.

I tried to do this when I bought a rifle this past Christmas, while out of state visiting family. The FFL dealer wouldn't sell me the rifle because I had an out of state license and he said it was "against his personal policy." He told me this after I mentioned I was planning to ship the rifle to myself. He freaked out and said "you can't do that!" LOL This was after he swore up and down that he only does things "by the book" and knows all the rules.

So, his insistence cost me at least $60 between his shipping price and my FFL transfer fee. It very nearly cost him a sale.

 

[Keep on]

I have been told that UPS will not accept a firearms shipment from an individual. But perhaps that was incorrect.

It's been a few years, but I've certainly used them in the past. Not the UPS stores, they have a no firearm policy.

EDIT:
Just looked it up, UPS changed their policy in 2022. They only accept shipments of firearms from FFL.

 

[bullbugle307]

I had to look it up the first time someone asked me if someone was allowed to. I didn't know. The window clerks aren't trained on it either.

Expect that the window clerks won't know, be ready with paperwork, and have mercy on them. It's a difficult place to work.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I had to look it up the first time someone asked me if someone was allowed to. I didn't know. The window clerks aren't trained on it either.

Expect that the window clerks won't know, be ready with paperwork, and have mercy on them. It's a difficult place to work.

There is no question it's a difficult job. My small town USPS workers have always been great. Many of them I've become friends with. They put up with so much.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

ups and FedEx both say on their websites they will only accept firearms from an FFL. Not sure when that changed, but that's what they say now.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I’ve shipped long guns through probably 5 different usps offices throughout the country and never had a hiccup. I have heard similar stories to what you guys are saying though where the individual employees don’t know the rules.

The postmaster at my local one seems to have a 6th sense for when it’s a gun, he asks before I can tell him.

 

[Richard22]

ups and FedEx both say on their websites they will only accept firearms from an FFL. Not sure when that changed, but that's what they say now.

A few months ago I shipped a handgun via UPS to the manufacturer's Service Center for repair using the instructions they gave to me. I packed it, purchased a pre-paid label and identified it as a "warranty item". Less than two weeks later the repaired handgun (lifetime warranty) was delivered to my door.

 

[cahunter805]

If the clerk at USPS ever asks what I’m shipping I always reply “machined parts”.

 

[Doublecluck]

If the clerk at USPS ever asks what I’m shipping I always reply “machined parts”.

100% I’ve used “Metal Goods” multiple times. if they have a clue they smile and say ok, if they are the person who would have questioned it they just have this clueless look on their face.

 

[jryoung]

Sent a rifle today, was at my local post office and they were clueless. I pulled up Section 432 from above and walked the clerk through it. He still had questions so he disappeared into the back. The line starts to get bigger, both clerks are missing and some folks start to mumble. The next person in line makes a statement that I'm shipping a firearm. Then the questions start.

You can do that?
Yes, so long as I ship to an FFL, and have signature delivery.
What's and FFL?
It a license for dealers from the federal government.
Okay.

....then it got weird from a guy in line.

What type of gun?
A rifle
What is it?
A rifle
Yeah but what kind?
Lever action
Why aren't you telling me more?
Because I don't have to
(the lady from before) It's none of your business.
Me: if it was a box of sex toys would you want to know make and model and preference of lube?
Everyone then tried to muffle their laughter.

by then the agent came back and said I needed to go to the side door to talk with a supervisor which led nowhere, so I picked up and went to a separate office where I shipped it no problem.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Took the page from the USPS website in to the clerk today, he read it, and said "well I'll be darned..." Long time USPS employee, and like most, he had no idea. I asked him if he wanted to learn something even more hard to believe, the dropped the "you can mail a rifle to yourself" bomb on him. He took it well, and thanked me for educating him.

At the end of the day, I shipped the rifle for $35 with signature delivery, to an FFL who accepts (I checked first) from individuals. If I had gone through my local FFL, it would have taken days, and cost at least 2x as much if not 3x.

Yay USPS (with a bit of help).