How and best way to mail a rifle?

[sailor2000]

Gunbroker has some excellent info on firearms shipping rules / laws / etc.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Support/Suppor ... faqid=1118" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I sent a rifle to another person in my state a while back. It happened to be an underfolder AK-47. The guy at the pack-n-ship store was freaking out the whole time I was there packing it in the box I bought from him and refused to accept it for UPS shipment of any sort. He seemed convinced it was illegal to even posses the thing, let alone ship it. Ignorance incarnate.

I went to the Post Office and inquired and was told by the local Postmaster it was illegal to ship any firearm and he refused to accept the package. So much for Postmasters knowing the rules or laws.

Note that the USPS regulation prohibit marking the package in any way to denote there is a weapon inside. I went to USPS on line, did the on line postage / shipping label thing, slapped the label on the package and put it on the outbound mail table at my office. Mailman picked it up that day and it was delivered 2 days later by Priority Mail.

I shipped a pistol to an FFL using FedX much the same way. Used their standard FedX box, did the on line label thing and just dropped the package at one of the local Kinkos/FedX storefronts. They didn't ask what was in it and I didn't volunteer it.

[Rebel]

Gunbroker has some excellent info on firearms shipping rules / laws / etc.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Support/Suppor ... faqid=1118" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I sent a rifle to another person in my state a while back. It happened to be an underfolder AK-47. The guy at the pack-n-ship store was freaking out the whole time I was there packing it in the box I bought from him and refused to accept it for UPS shipment of any sort. He seemed convinced it was illegal to even posses the thing, let alone ship it. Ignorance incarnate.

I went to the Post Office and inquired and was told by the local Postmaster it was illegal to ship any firearm and he refused to accept the package. So much for Postmasters knowing the rules or laws.

Note that the USPS regulation prohibit marking the package in any way to denote there is a weapon inside. I went to USPS on line, did the on line postage / shipping label thing, slapped the label on the package and put it on the outbound mail table at my office. Mailman picked it up that day and it was delivered 2 days later by Priority Mail.

I shipped a pistol to an FFL using FedX much the same way. Used their standard FedX box, did the on line label thing and just dropped the package at one of the local Kinkos/FedX storefronts. They didn't ask what was in it and I didn't volunteer it.

While completely legal, the only issue is that you broke FedEx policy, so if there happens to be any issues, you can pretty must guarantee that they will not help you in any form.

[sailor2000]

While completely legal, the only issue is that you broke FedEx policy, so if there happens to be any issues, you can pretty must guarantee that they will not help you in any form.

It was a few years ago and I do not recall anything in their contract terms that required notification at the time....

[rm9792]

Actually the atf rules state you must follow the carriers policy and i doubt fedex allows what was done. Not saying i blame you but technically it was illegal.

[gigag04]

I have my LGS ship guns for me, even to the mfgr or to gunsmiths. They can ship USPS which is cheaper than having to ship it overnight, which most carriers require for an individual. I think to ship the Kimber to New Yord was $25 total. It only cost the store a few bucks to send a pistol via USPS, but its a great deal for me.

[Rebel]

Actually the atf rules state you must follow the carriers policy and i doubt fedex allows what was done. Not saying i blame you but technically it was illegal.

This is true, I completely forgot about the ATF requirement to follow carrier policies.

The FedEx/UPS policy of requiring shipping of handguns via a hub and overnight have been there for at least 4 years, as I have always been required to do so.

[wgoforth]

When I asked the local postmaster about sending a long gun in the mail, he insisted that only an FFL holder can do that. Of course I explained that no, on a long gun, you can mail all day long. He wrote the number down of the district Postal Office in Ft Worth. I called them, they said I had to go to my local post office and talk with the postmaster.....

[rm9792]

I would have him call while you wait or call on your cell and hand it to him.