Shipping a gun to yourself

[H Richard]

Sometime back I recall seeing information on shipping a gun to yourself. Often done by competitors when traveling to a competition. The question I have is can a handgun be shipped by the USPS? I understand you don't need to ship via any FFL, just to a relative or friend with the package addressed to yourself, C/O that other person. Can any one shed the correct light on this?

With today's announcement about airlines now charging for every checked bag, any extra weight (a couple guns and a few hundred rounds of ammo) is to be avoided when flying.

 

[klausinak]

By federal law you can ship any firearm from yourself to yourself, the firearm isn't being transferred. The problem is finding a shipper that will let you do it. USPS will let you do a long gun, but will only do handguns from an FFL.

 

[snake803]

A non- licensee may not ship a handgun via USPS...Long guns are OK As a non-licensee you may ship a long gun USPS to yourself in care of someone else, but the parcel should only be opened by you when you arrive...JIM...............

 

[vt_shooter]

By federal law you can ship any firearm from yourself to yourself, the firearm isn't being transferred. The problem is finding a shipper that will let you do it. USPS will let you do a long gun, but will only do handguns from an FFL.

It doesn't appear FedEx or UPS will let you ship a gun to yourself either, unless you're a dealer:

Fedex’s rules:
… transport and deliver firearms only between:
Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof; or
Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).

UPS’ rules:
UPS accepts packages containing firearms (as defined by Title 18, Chapter 44, and Title 26, Chapter 53 of the United States Code) for transportation only (a) between licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors (as defined in Title 18, Chapter 44 of the United States Code), and government agencies and (b) where not otherwise prohibited by federal, state or local law (i) from an individual to a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector; and (ii) from a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to an individual.

 

[Onomea]

I wonder if the FEDEX ruless have changed. Seems to me that I have read about people FEDEXing handguns to themselves, c/o somebody else, when traveling outside of their home area.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I have no idea if legal, but it is done all the time by people I know. They use FedEx overnight air, charge it to their FedEx account, etc. and none have ever said that any inquiry was made as to contents when it was picked up or when scheduling. I have not done it, so I can not confirm this.