Example, when RVing to Alaska can a hand gun be sent to someone you know is Alaska, as it would not be allowed in Canada. Paul

As I understand it you have to go through a Federal Firearms licensed dealer on the receiving end. You can not ship it "Person to Person".

Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service? A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. [18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier? A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm. [18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]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.

http://www.atf.gov/content/firearms-frequently-asked-questions-unlicensed-persons#shipping-firearms-usps

oldmattb wrote:Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service? A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. [18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier? A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm. [18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]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.That pretty much answers the OP's question. Now to settle back and observe...

Believe it or not about 30 years ago my father-in-law had a FFL, and UPS delivered the pistol and left it on the front step. LOL

Can a hand gun be sent by us mail, UPS or other means?

14 Replies

wandering1
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014
I never had a problem using UPS. Ask them what the current law is and they can tell you what they can or cant do, forget about all of the personal opinions, get the facts.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jan 10, 2014
Doesn't he run the risk of weapon confiscation and possible jail time if he is caught? Seems hardly worth the risk.
mobeewan
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014
beemerphile1 wrote:
Just thinking out loud here; if a gun is striped and placed in separate packages - it is no longer a gun. Correct? Wouldn't it just be repair parts at that point?

Parts yes. However, the frame/receiver by itself is still a firearm by law. Even minus all the other parts. You can purchase a frame/receiver separately, but only through a licensed dealer and it is still treated as if it were a complete firearm.

There are legal ways to ship whole firearms.

The US Postal system is not one of them. It is illegal to carry a firearm onto US Postal property period.

A friend of mine shoots competitively. He has shipped both his pistol and ammo to himself in care of the hotel he was staying at with no markings on the packages that indicated there was a firearm inside.
D___M
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014
shooker99 wrote:
I thank every one very much now I know! Paul

LOL. A gun thread takes on a life of its own.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jan 10, 2014
beemerphile1 wrote:
Just thinking out loud here; if a gun is striped and placed in separate packages - it is no longer a gun. Correct? Wouldn't it just be repair parts at that point?
No, there is a certain part that will be considered to be illegal to ship. It's like the part to convert an AR-15 to full auto is considered, all by itself, to be a machine gun, and in order to own you must have the necessary permit.

Disclaimer: This was the way the law was when my FIL had an FFL. Some things probably have changed.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014
Just thinking out loud here; if a gun is striped and placed in separate packages - it is no longer a gun. Correct? Wouldn't it just be repair parts at that point?
shooker99
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014
I thank every one very much now I know! Paul
jdog
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014
Things have changed a lot in the last 30 to 40 years as everyone knows. Can't do any more what used to be done!
Turbo_Diesel_Du
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014
years ago, when I was in Vietnam, 1965, my sister sent me a .45 thru the mail, but it was in three separate packages. Became my everyday sidearm as at times, my M14 was too bulky. Exact copy of a 1911A1 Colt and all them parts were interchangeable.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jan 10, 2014
Believe it or not about 30 years ago my father-in-law had a FFL, and UPS delivered the pistol and left it on the front step. LOL