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I want to send my Series 70 to a gunsmith in Georgia for refinishing. I've been told by several FFL dealers I can send it by U.S. Postal Service myself as long I'm having it sent in for repairs. Those experts are in conflict with the head of the post office who says I can't send it via USPS at all. I'm trying to avoid the $60 fee to UPS or FedEx the gun. So, does anyone out there know the rules for sure?

I don't know what kind of firearm you are talking about.
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b7:

(B7) 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)]

If it's a handgun, an FFL can ship it for you at less cost than UPS or Fedex.

- Jim

I think you can send parts (even a slide) through standard snail mail, but IIRC... any numbered frame or receiver is considered a "Firearm" by definition, even if it is disassembled, and must be shipped as such.

pastor1 wrote:I want to send my Series 70 to a gunsmith in Georgia for refinishing. I've been told by several FFL dealers I can send it by U.S. Postal Service myself as long I'm having it sent in for repairs. Those experts are in conflict with the head of the post office who says I can't send it via USPS at all. I'm trying to avoid the $60 fee to UPS or FedEx the gun. So, does anyone out there know the rules for sure?

NO SIR, you cannot send a gun through the Unided Post Service, unless it's a black powder, and I don't know if you can still do that anymore. Don't even try. UPS or Fedex.

hoss4570 wrote:

pastor1 wrote:I want to send my Series 70 to a gunsmith in Georgia for refinishing. I've been told by several FFL dealers I can send it by U.S. Postal Service myself as long I'm having it sent in for repairs. Those experts are in conflict with the head of the post office who says I can't send it via USPS at all. I'm trying to avoid the $60 fee to UPS or FedEx the gun. So, does anyone out there know the rules for sure?

NO SIR, you cannot send a gun through the Unided Post Service, unless it's a black powder, and I don't know if you can still do that anymore. Don't even try. UPS or Fedex.

You can ship an unloaded long gun through USPS no problem, unless their policy has changed just in the last few days. Shipping a handgun is possible for some people (like military and police officers, IIRC), but handguns are more restricted. I can dig up the documentation from the USPS site if it would help.

Only FFL's can send handguns via USPS.

I believe that you can ship via UPS or Fedup for less than $60. There are several different fee schedules, and you just have to know the right one to use.

PhilR.

I mailed a Model 66 today with UPS, overnight, $600 insurance, and a return receipt for $37.00. I always go to my FFL and for $15.00 plus about $10.00 for USPS it is shipped. The gunsmith the 66 was going to would only accept UPS

GeoJAP wrote:

hoss4570 wrote:

pastor1 wrote:I want to send my Series 70 to a gunsmith in Georgia for refinishing. I've been told by several FFL dealers I can send it by U.S. Postal Service myself as long I'm having it sent in for repairs. Those experts are in conflict with the head of the post office who says I can't send it via USPS at all. I'm trying to avoid the $60 fee to UPS or FedEx the gun. So, does anyone out there know the rules for sure?

NO SIR, you cannot send a gun through the Unided Post Service, unless it's a black powder, and I don't know if you can still do that anymore. Don't even try. UPS or Fedex.

You can ship an unloaded long gun through USPS no problem, unless their policy has changed just in the last few days. Shipping a handgun is possible for some people (like military and police officers, IIRC), but handguns are more restricted. I can dig up the documentation from the USPS site if it would help.

I don't think so, I could be wrong but I don't think even a FFL can send through the postal service.

According to the USPS web site:

What is required to mail a shotgun or other firearm to a family member?

Handguns may be mailed by a licensed manufacturer or dealer of firearms or an authorized agent of federal government.

Although unloaded rifles and shotguns not precluded are mailable, mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968, Public Law 90-618, 18 USC 921, et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, 26 CFR 178, as well as state and local laws.

For further advice on mailing a specific item, you should contact:

* The nearest office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
* The Mailing Requirements area of your local Post Officeâ„¢ facility.

hoss4570 wrote:I don't think so, I could be wrong but I don't think even a FFL can send through the postal service.

Yes, you would be wrong.

Type 01 FFLs (dealers) can and do use USPS for handguns all the time. Non-01s (like Type 03 (C&R) FFLs) regularly use USPS for long guns.

Non-FFLs can (and do) use USPS to mail long guns in-state, perfectly legally. But, they do have to find a Post Office whose personnel understand and follow the rules.

Kevin

If you want to ship via UPS (people in brown), take the gun apart before putting it in the box. Wrap the box well. When you're asked what the contents are, declare "machined parts."

It's less expensive this way. (And I usually go ahead & insure it for the cost of the weapon.)

Venus Pax wrote:If you want to ship via UPS (people in brown), take the gun apart before putting it in the box. Wrap the box well. When you're asked what the contents are, declare "machined parts."

It's less expensive this way. (And I usually go ahead & insure it for the cost of the weapon.)

I understand that the ATF (or whatever they are called this week) considers the serial numbered part of the gun a "firearm" and not machined parts. What is the UPS definition of "firearm" for declaration purposes?

Venus Pax wrote:If you want to ship via UPS (people in brown), take the gun apart before putting it in the box. Wrap the box well. When you're asked what the contents are, declare "machined parts."

It's less expensive this way. (And I usually go ahead & insure it for the cost of the weapon.)

It's also illegal. You're required by law to declare to any common carrier when you're shipping a firearm. Even when stripped to the frame, it's still a firearm.

Kevin

KBCraig wrote:

hoss4570 wrote:I don't think so, I could be wrong but I don't think even a FFL can send through the postal service.

Yes, you would be wrong.

Type 01 FFLs (dealers) can and do use USPS for handguns all the time. Non-01s (like Type 03 (C&R) FFLs) regularly use USPS for long guns.

Non-FFLs can (and do) use USPS to mail long guns in-state, perfectly legally. But, they do have to find a Post Office whose personnel understand and follow the rules.

Kevin

I stand correct then. I did not know that.

hoss4570 wrote:

GeoJAP wrote:

hoss4570 wrote:

pastor1 wrote:I want to send my Series 70 to a gunsmith in Georgia for refinishing. I've been told by several FFL dealers I can send it by U.S. Postal Service myself as long I'm having it sent in for repairs. Those experts are in conflict with the head of the post office who says I can't send it via USPS at all. I'm trying to avoid the $60 fee to UPS or FedEx the gun. So, does anyone out there know the rules for sure?

NO SIR, you cannot send a gun through the Unided Post Service, unless it's a black powder, and I don't know if you can still do that anymore. Don't even try. UPS or Fedex.

You can ship an unloaded long gun through USPS no problem, unless their policy has changed just in the last few days. Shipping a handgun is possible for some people (like military and police officers, IIRC), but handguns are more restricted. I can dig up the documentation from the USPS site if it would help.

I don't think so, I could be wrong but I don't think even a FFL can send through the postal service.

I do it all the time. Long guns are fine as long as they are unloaded.