My brother just returned from Iraq, and I have been babysitting his AR while he was away. The problem is that he lives a few states away, he wants his AR now, and he isn’t visiting any time soon, so I need to mail it. I have purchased a few ARs myself, but each of those went through my FFL because of the lower needing to be transferred/registered, but since this AR is already registered/owned by my brother does it need to go through an FFL?
I found this on the NRAs website.
[i]"Shipping Firearms
Firearms may not be mailed or shipped interstate from one non-FFL to another non-FFL. Personally owned rifles and shotguns may be mailed or shipped to an FFL in any state for any lawful purpose, including sale, repair, or customizing. An FFL may ship a firearm or replacement firearm of the same kind and type to a person from whom it was received. Under U.S. Postal regulations, handguns may be sent via the Postal Service only from one FFL to another FFL, or between authorized government officials.
A person may ship a rifle or shotgun to himself, in care of a person who lives in another state, for purposes of hunting.
Firearms or ammunition delivered to a common carrier for shipment must be accompanied by a written notice to the carrier of the contents of the shipment."[/i]
If its his gun and already had paper work done on it, their should be no problem. I would think it would be similar to receiving your gun from the mfg. for service. When your go to the shipper, for example UPS, list the contents as “machine parts or fishing gear”. Most people freak out if you mention firearms.
This is a bad idea. Firearms go “missing” all the time when mailed. When your firearm is lost, you don’t want to have to tell UPS or the police you lied about what was in the package.
I’ve mailed a couple firearms in the last 3 months. I had to use UPS or FedEx and it will usually cost you about $50-60 per gun. USPS will not mail a complete firearm from what I understand. They will mail an upper to a rifle or parts but you can’t mail the lower. The lower to an M4 rifle is considered the firearm.
ETA: I forgot to mention that I was using UPS to ship to an FFL. Thanks for reminding me Zanshin. You must be shipping to an FFL.
All of the carriers will ship anything. USPS WILL ship rifles and handguns, regardless of what their website says, same with UPS and Fedex.
It could be looked at as a transfer, but it’s a gray area. I would just send it and not worry too much about it. Break it down into halves so you can use a smaller/not so long box, so it’s not so obviously a rifle.
I ship USPS but have to provide a copy our the FFL. Much cheaper than UPS or Fedex. Last pistol I shipped cost me $18 insured Priority Mail.
That was shipped to another FFL.
breaking it into two parts would be my suggestion also, send the upper in one box, lower in another. the lower would be the only part of concern, ups will ship it for you. now it doesn’t look like an evil rifle. i also go the "machine parts " route, in as short, wide boxes as i can find to disguise what’s inside.
Even though its his gun you can’t ship it across state lines to it. Its in your possession which means you are the current “owner” per the legalize. Doesn’t matter who bought the gun. Its in whose possession its in.
I would just suck it up, and mail it to an FFL there.
You can mail firearms through UPS, FedEx, and USPS. You would have to send it per their regs. I know UPS will not send it through “The UPS Store” locations. You need to go to an actual HUB. The reason for this is “The UPS Store” is franchised out, and the people are just using UPS’ name for their business. Its not actually owned/operated by UPS. They will not take a firearm due to the liability.
Fed law allows a person to mail a gun across state lines to themselves. People who go hunting or sport shooting across state lines do this to avoid flying with the gun, going across international borders, etc.
ETA: In the future the ATF has some FAQ’s sections on their website which cover most of the common laws relating to sales, transfers, transportation, etc…
I’m sorry. You would need to ship it to an FFL to be legal.
Also, I was thinking of pistol shipping cost. Handguns shipped UPS have to go overnight, thus the extra cost. Rifles do not have to go overnight. Last rifle I shipped UPS from IN to FL. was less than $20.
I guess I’ll have to try this in the future. I had been told by two friends and one of my local FFLs that I could not use USPS to mail a firearm. Wish I had looked into this further.
If you have the wrong pain in the ass Post Office, it is a problem convincing them. They do not know their own regs. There is nothing in USPS regs that states you cannot ship a firearm. I have one post office I go through here. I show the FFL copy, fill out a short form, and it’s done. Some of the others will argue they can’t. And you know how arguing with a government entity goes.
Wow, I am confused. I sent an M1 to be reparkerized and I just packed it up and sent it off like any other package…UPS if I remember correctly…not to an FFL either…
I think the info the OP posted from the NRA website is correct. Err on the side of caution and you won’t have to look over your shoulder (for the BATFE).
Your brother could probably find the nearest FFL and they’d probably be happy to reunite him with his rifle. Knowing how important a rifle is to a soldier, i dont think he’ll have to wait much longer.
Mail it to your self at your brother’s address. Ask him to look after the package till you can get there to visit. When you get there, open the package and give him back his rifle
If you ship a gun to a gunsmith for work, you can ship directly to him and he can return it to you directly. However, if a gunsmith is accepting seralized actions for work and profit, they should be an FFL according to the BATF. In your case, your gunsmith was probably skirting the law.
