I cannot find it right now but I seem to recall that pyrotechnic launchers are not classed as firearms by ATF. Does that mean that a military handheld launcher is mailable as it is not a firearm? I've read the USPS shipping regs but have not found a specific mention of pyrotechnic devices.

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Old paratrooper in NC

In my truck driving days I occasionally hauled loads that contained flare launchers or pyrotechnic launchers you mentioned and the are considered Explosive Class 1.4 Hazardous Material. USPS regulations do not allow shipping of class 1.4 explosives.

The USPS defines 'Firearm' as the following:

431.1 Firearm
The following definitions apply:

Firearm means any device, including a starter gun, which will, or is designed to, or may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device; but the term shall not include antique firearms (except antique firearms meeting the description of a handgun or of a firearm capable of being concealed on a person).



I'd guess that the rather broad definition would include a flare gun as it
"...will, or is designed to, or may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive...."

If it's a Flare Handgun as most are (concealable) it would fall under the USPS regs 'Pistols/Revolvers & any other concealable firearm'.
Those only being able to be shipped betw FFL Dealers or FFL Mfg'rs w/a Form 1508 submitted.

That's just my interpretation of course.

43 Firearms | Postal Explorer

https://about.usps.com/forms/ps1508.pdf

Why use USPS?

They'll only lose the package.

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

I would use UPS. If you used USPS and they x-ray scanned or opened the package you could be in some deep kimchee.

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U.S. Coast Guard, retired CPO

I buy air rifles all the time via UPS. Under the description listed above, it would fall under the 'firearm' definition. I also buy 'Bird Banger' pistols via UPS (they use a 6mm blank to launch explosive 'bangers' to scare away critters). Never had any issues with either being shipped UPS. I would suspect that a flare launcher wouldn't be any different. The projectiles, however, are another story. Like mentioned, use UPS, not USPS and you should be Ok.

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

Hi Dan, your inbox is full, I have a message for you

Oliver

Many small Flare Launchers are banned by certain states. My HK 19mm launcher is banned in N.J. of all places.

Ivan

It appears they are shippable, without hazmat fees.
Cabella’s sells the Orion flare gun kit, which is basically the same as the old Olin kit and they offer free shipping. It includes the orange pistol launcher, 6 aerial flares, a signal mirror and a whistle. If I was shipping a kit, I’d send it UPS ground with a ORM-D label (just to be safe).

I didn’t see any State restrictions when I loaded one into my cart, but I didn’t try any restrictive States as a ship to address.

I do know that you better not have one in your boat if you fish Canadian waters, since they consider it a handgun. A friend was checked on the Canadian side of the Detroit river and they found one in his boat. He was facing an indictable offense (same as our felony), but eventually ended up without a criminal conviction. He did have to hire a lawyer and pay around $5000 in fines.

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"I also cook."

I am aware of a federal case in the Eastern District of Missouri wherein a previously convicted felon was charged, convicted and sentenced for possessing a flare gun. That's all I got for this discussion . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Dave—I would not have noticed this thread but for the fact my son loves to watch those game warden reality shows. In one of the episodes I have seen the wardens in boating stops check for flares along with lifejackets, fishing licenses, etc as a part of their inspection requirements.

One could not be a bigger land-lubber than me, living in a land-locked state, but I had always thought flare guns were required on boats operating on the “big” waters like the Great Lakes and Coastal Waters. I could see one “drifting” into Canadian waters or into Mexican waters, for that matter. And I know both countries have highly restrictive firearm laws. Plus many of our states that abut big waters have highly restrictive gun laws too.

This seems to be a head-scratching issue for sure.

The visual distress signal requirement for recreational boaters states that all boats when used on coastal waters, including the Great Lakes, the territorial seas and those waters directly connected to the Great Lakes and the territorial seas, up to a point where the waters are less than two miles wide, and boats owned in the United States when operating on the high seas must be equipped with visual distress signals. There are a handful of exceptions so you should always check your state regulations to be certain you comply.

Regardless of exemptions, all boaters should be able to signal for help. Boaters must have current dated US Coast Guard-approved day and night signals for all boats operating on coastal and open bodies of water. Federal requirements are as follows:

For boats under 16' in length: Distress signals are only required when operating between sunset and sunrise. If operating at night, one electric distress light or three combination day/night red flares are required.

For boats 16' in length or greater: One orange distress flag and one electric distress light - or - three hand-held or floating orange smoke signals and one electric distress light - or - three combination day/night red flares; hand-held, meteor or parachute type.

Flares: The Requirements

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No school like the old school.

Never tried to mail a flare gun. But I know anyone can walk in to the Walmart down the street, go to the sporting goods area, and buy one straight off the shelf, with no more documentation than a cap pistol.

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Pisgah

Uh.....I'm making a clain arainst UPS right now for a "lost" package

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