'Shipping handgun for repair'

[saltydog452]

Those were the words that I used the search feature looking for answers. Lots of opinions and 'I did this, but...' posts but not too much regarding definitive take it to the bank answers.

So, how do I ship a handgun to a 'smith for repair. Its a gunwrench, not a factory. Is a copy of his license necesary as has been stated, or not?

Related, but not quite the same, how would a person ship a handgun, or any legally owned firearm, to an out of state training facility? That place could be Gunsite, Mas in Sierra Vista, or Camp Perry, or??? These wouldn't be sent for repair but for competition a/o training. A significant bunch of ammunition would need to be sent to the same destination.

Thanks,

salty

[jsenner]

Those were the words that I used the search feature looking for answers. Lots of opinions and 'I did this, but...' posts but not too much regarding definitive take it to the bank answers.

So, how do I ship a handgun to a 'smith for repair. Its a gunwrench, not a factory. Is a copy of his license necesary as has been stated, or not?

Related, but not quite the same, how would a person ship a handgun, or any legally owned firearm, to an out of state training facility? That place could be Gunsite, Mas in Sierra Vista, or Camp Perry, or??? These wouldn't be sent for repair but for competition a/o training. A significant bunch of ammunition would need to be sent to the same destination.

salty

You can mail the gun to your gunsmith directly since he is an FFL. Each carrier will have specific shipping requirements - check their websites. I think they all require non-FFLs (you, presumably) to ship overnight air. Always send it adult signature required. Your gunsmith can mail the gun back to you directly. no 4473 is required of gunsmiths for returning repairs. Since he is an FFL, he will be able to ship it back to you much more inexpensively. You *must not* identify the package as containing a firearm in any way! [edit: I'm not a gunsmith - so any gunsmiths here please advise on gunsmith specifics I may have missed]

As for including the FFL in the package, you can include his if you want, but it's not required. I always include a copy of my FFL in guns I ship, however. I'd suggest you do include it, just in case something happens it may help expedite resolution.

For shipping guns out of state for training, you may ship a gun to a different address as long as it is to yourself. you must address the package "to" or "care of" you at the other address and only you may open the package. This is the federal requirement, make sure you check state laws on the issue. if you're talking about something like Gunsite, I don't think you have any state issues with arizona. I'm sure these places deal with this all the time and would be happy to offer advice. You would also then return ship the gun to yourself at your address.

For shipping ammunition, you can ship ammo, properly boxed, via ground carrier only, wherever you like. Unlike guns, you must declare the package as ammo/hazardous material and the carrier will have hazmat fees that will be tacked on. If this is for a training school, I've heard that places like gunsite have ammo on hand and that it's actually very competitively priced. That would certainly more than make up for the hazmat fees you'll pay to ship it.

[saltydog452]

Thanks.

First sentence, first paragraph, you used the word 'mail'. 'mail' is the US Postal Service. Is that what you intended?

ty.

sd.

[jsenner]

Thanks.

First sentence, first paragraph, you used the word 'mail'. 'mail' is the US Postal Service. Is that what you intended?

ty.

sd.

yes. USPS, UPS, FedEx, any of them can be used to ship it - each have their own requirements so just check with their websites. it might be worth a quick call to the P.O. you plan to ship from. The last pistol I shipped out of my P.O. had the right paperwork with it but the clerk insisted I couldn't "just ship it like that". She spent the next 12 minutes gathering people and looking through the books (I know what it says but they have to figure it out for themselves sometimes). She eventually came back, took the package as is, and all was good. Not all shipping clerks (or others in the organization) know what the deal is so you might save yourself some hassle by knowing what to expect when you drop it off.

[Salty1]

A non-FFL cannot use the U.S Post Office to ship handguns. They must use either UPS or Fedex next day delivery, overnight priority is not required, just next day delivery. Many people utilize an FFL's services for this as their fee and priority mail costs are typically less than what UPS or Fedex will charge.

[jsenner]

A non-FFL cannot use the U.S Post Office to ship handguns. They must use either UPS or Fedex next day delivery,

You can ship long guns USPS, but true, not handguns. handguns are contract carrier. I wasn't thinking a specific gun type when writing it, sorry.

overnight priority is not required, just next day delivery.

which is why I said, "I think" and also told you to be sure to check with the shipper.

[edited - I sounded a little smart-assy so I added a smiley to tone it down]

[flb_78]

For handguns, a non-ffl has to use a private shipper and it has to be overnighted.

A FFL can use USPS regular shipping.

It's usually more cost effective to have a FFL ship it for you through the USPS.

[speedsix]

...if you think a minor polite correction when you mis-state something is "trolling"...you need to learn some internet etiquette...this forum is to give those who ask CORRECT and HELPFUL information...details matter...that was uncalled for and Salty1 is a respected member who has EARNED the respect...some haven't yet...

...I see by your edit you've re-thought it a bit...great...

[jsenner]

...if you think a minor polite correction when you mis-state something is "trolling"...you need to learn some internet etiquette...this forum is to give those who ask CORRECT and HELPFUL information...details matter...that was uncalled for and Salty1 is a respected member who has EARNED the respect...some haven't yet...

...I see by your edit you've re-thought it a bit...great...

yes, I need to remember to not write posts while being distracted at work. while trying to multi-task I saw a response, it was clearly far more researched than the OP let on, and I didn't notice correctly that the name wasn't the OP. I thought, "what the " and then after I hit submit I saw my error and thought, "son of a " and edited it as fast as I could. So, if I had been right about the names then it would have been trolling - but I wasn't. My mistake. You'd think I would remember to double check that stuff having had to learn to do so when I made a similar mistake some 18 years ago on usenet.

[speedsix]

...don't feel like the Lone Ranger...I once got kicked off a forum because one of my sons (14 at the time) was on ANOTHER forum owned by the same man...fat-mouthing the guys there like a jerk...the owner traced the ISP and I woke up from my nap to find I'd been banned...sometimes stuff happens!!!

[G.A. Heath]

Related, but not quite the same, how would a person ship a handgun, or any legally owned firearm, to an out of state training facility? That place could be Gunsite, Mas in Sierra Vista, or Camp Perry, or??? These wouldn't be sent for repair but for competition a/o training. A significant bunch of ammunition would need to be sent to the same destination.

Thanks,

salty

Contact the training facility for details, in most cases you can ship the handgun to yourself at their address and no need for an FFL. Otherwise you will need to use one of their guns or take your weapon with you (Via motor vehicle, checked baggage, ect).

[Reserve161]

Interestingly enough, I shipped my RIA .45 1911 back to their secret location
in Nevada. Their instructions to me was to label the package "precision machine
parts" I believe I at least field-stripped it and sent it that way.
The folks at RIA told me that the shipping carriers want you to ship
it ovenite to reduce theft because the package wouldn't be in their system
as long. Well, that "type of package" would each be in the system as
short a time.

Now, this was "the factory" or at least "the factory's representative" as
opposed to an individual.

[G.A. Heath]

Interestingly enough, I shipped my RIA .45 1911 back to their secret location
in Nevada. Their instructions to me was to label the package "precision machine
parts" I believe I at least field-stripped it and sent it that way.
The folks at RIA told me that the shipping carriers want you to ship
it ovenite to reduce theft because the package wouldn't be in their system
as long. Well, that "type of package" would each be in the system as
short a time.

Now, this was "the factory" or at least "the factory's representative" as
opposed to an individual.

You can label the package anything you want, as long as you declare it as a firearm when you actually ship a complete firearm. Federal law prohibits a commopn carrier from labeling the package as a firearm, however they must be aware of the fact that it is.

[Jumping Frog]

You can label the package anything you want, as long as you declare it as a firearm when you actually ship a complete firearm. Federal law prohibits a commopn carrier from labeling the package as a firearm, however they must be aware of the fact that it is.

That is not exactly what the law says. A common carrier does not need to be notified of a firearm or ammunition if you are shipping to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors. Written notification is only required when shipping to someone other than those licensees

18 U.S.C. § 922(e) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, to persons other than licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped

[saltydog452]

How would the shipper (me) know that the addressee (the pistolwrench) has the proper papers all dotted, crossed, signed, stamped, and dated in the apropriate spots?

I don't know if the pistol mechanic is a manufacturer, retailer, distributor, or ? The original vendor insists that his product is and was perfect at the time of sdhipment.

Me, I just want the dang fixed.

salty