Shipping guns: a different twist

Grayfox

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Ok, I know the subject of shipping guns has been beat to death. But my question is a little different.

Can a C&R license holder ship a C&R firearm to another C&R holder OR a FFL dealer via priority mail?

I've e-mailed USPS twice with this question. The first time they didn't answer. The second time they referred me to my local post office. So I guess either they don't know or they don't want to say.
The post office is closed until Tuesday and frankly, knowing my local PO, I doubt I'll get a straight answer anyway.
I have a few guns I'm wanting to sell. They are all C&R eligable and I'm looking for a way to ship them that won't cost an arm and a leg. Yes, I have contacted local dealers and they want just as much or more than if I ship UPS Overnight. :(

Ok folks, what does the combined knowledge of the forum say?
And if someone could give the actual regulations, that would be great.
 
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I have. All the local PO asked me was if I was shipping ammo with the firearm and if the bolt was taken out.
 
Can a C&R license holder ship a C&R firearm to another C&R holder OR a FFL dealer via priority mail?

They are all C&R eligable and I'm looking for a way to ship them that won't cost an arm and a leg. Yes, I have contacted local dealers and they want just as much or more than if I ship UPS Overnight. :(

Ok folks, what does the combined knowledge of the forum say?
And if someone could give the actual regulations, that would be great.

Only 01FFL can ship handguns via USPS Priority Mail. The regulations state only a licensed DEALER (01FFL) can ship. There is nothing in the regulations which says a licensed COLLECTOR (C&R FFL) are permitted to use USPS for shipping.

There is just is no cheap way for C&R FFL holders to ship handguns. It is a cost which has to be factored into the price on any C&R handgun purchased.

Listed below are the USPS Regulations concerning handguns.



432.2 Handguns

Handguns and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable unless mailed between the parties listed in this section, after the filing of an affidavit or statement described in 432.22 or 432.24, and are subject to the following:

Firearms meeting the definition of a handgun under 431.2 and the definition of curios or relics under 27 CFR 478.11 may be mailed between curio and relic collectors only when those firearms also meet the definition of an antique firearm under 431.3.

Firearms meeting the definition of a handgun under 431.2, which are certified by the curator of a municipal, state, or federal museum that exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest, may be accepted for mailing without regard to the restrictions provided for handguns in Exhibit 432.25 and in 432.21 through 432.24.

Air guns that do not fall within the definition of firearms under 431.1 that are capable of being concealed on a person are mailable, but must include adult signature service under DMM 503.9.0. Mailers must comply with all applicable state and local regulations.

Parts of handguns are mailable, except for handgun frames, receivers or other parts or components regulated under Chapter 44, Title 18, U.S.C.
Mailers are also subject to applicable restrictions by governments of a state, territory, or district.

432.21 Authorized Persons

Subject to 432.22, handguns may be mailed by a licensed manufacturer of firearms, a licensed dealer of firearms, a licensed importer of firearms, or an authorized agent of the federal government or the government of a state, territory, or district, only when addressed to a person in one of the following categories for use in the person’s official duties, and upon filing the required affidavit or certificate:

Officers of the Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps.
Officers of the National Guard or militia of a state, territory, or district.
Officers of the United States or of a state, territory, or district, whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
USPS employees authorized by the Chief Postal Inspector.
Officers and employees of enforcement agencies of the United States.
Watchmen engaged in guarding the property of the United States, a state, territory, or district.
Purchasing agent or other designated member of agencies employing officers and employees included in 432.21c through e.
432.22 Affidavit of Addressee

Any person proposing to mail a handgun under 432.21 must file with the Postmaster, at the time of mailing, an affidavit signed by the addressee setting forth that the addressee is qualified to receive the firearm under a particular category of 432.21a through 432.21g, and that the firearm is intended for the addressee’s official use. The affidavit must also bear a certificate stating that the firearm is for the official duty use of the addressee, signed by one of the following, as appropriate:

For officers of Armed Forces, by the commanding officer.
For officers and employees of enforcement agencies, by the head of the agency employing the addressee to perform the official duty with which the firearm is to be used.

For watchmen, by the chief clerk of the department, bureau, or independent branch of the government of the United States, the state, the territory, or the district by which the watchman is employed.
For the purchasing agent or other designated member of enforcement agencies, by the head of such agency, that the firearm is to be used by an officer or employee included in 432.21c through 432.21e.
432.23 Manufacturers, Dealers, and Importers

Handguns may also be mailed between licensed manufacturers of firearms, licensed dealers of firearms, and licensed importers of firearms in customary trade shipments, or for repairing or replacing parts.
432.24 Certificate of Manufacturers, Dealers, and Importers

A federal firearms licensee manufacturer, dealer, or importer need not file the affidavit under 432.22, but must file with the Postmaster a statement on PS Form 1508, Statement by Shipper of Firearms, signed by the mailer that he or she is a licensed manufacturer, dealer, or importer of firearms. The mailer must also state that the parcels containing handguns, or parts and components of handguns under 432.2d, are being mailed in customary trade shipments or contain such articles for repairing or replacing parts, and that to the best of their knowledge the addressees are licensed manufacturers, dealers, or importers of firearms. Registered Mail service is recommended.
Postmasters may forward an unsatisfactory mailer statement to the PCSC for a ruling.
432.25 Federal and Other Law Enforcement Agencies

Handguns may be mailed without regard to 432.21 through 432.24 if the item is:

Addressed to a scientific laboratory or crime detection bureau of any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency whose members are authorized to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
Sent by an authorized agent of the federal government as an official shipment to any qualified addressee in 432.21, or to a licensed manufacturer, dealer, or importer of firearms, or to a federal agency.
 
Thanks BigBoy99 for providing the actual regulations. Just wanted to finally see what the rules were in Uncle Sam's own words.
Since what I'm planning to sell are handguns, looks like I'm stuck paying the big bucks. :rolleyes:
 
This same exact question has come up several times before and
generated the same answers; lots of differing opinions. The regulations
are subject to indivdual interpretation, in advance; yes they are. Flat
rate box priority mail, answer questions asked of you and never forget
this old saying from some forgotten old sage; "never pass up a good
opportunity to keep your mouth shut." There are sellers on GB with
hundreds of feedbacks who do not have 01 type FFLs and always ship
priority mail.
 
For as long as it lasts, (I feel there's something fishy about it and won't be around for long) you might check out Bud's Gunshop's "Ship a Gun" offer. For $39 they will send you a shipping label that you can use to send you handgun via UPS on their ticket. You have to pick a participating FFL in the area of where you are sending it and you will have to drop the package off at an official hub or have it picked up by a UPS driver.
One thing I haven't figured out is just how, if even possible, to insure the shipment.
 
This same exact question has come up several times before and
generated the same answers; lots of differing opinions. The regulations
are subject to indivdual interpretation, in advance; yes they are. Flat
rate box priority mail, answer questions asked of you and never forget
this old saying from some forgotten old sage; "never pass up a good
opportunity to keep your mouth shut." There are sellers on GB with
hundreds of feedbacks who do not have 01 type FFLs and always ship
priority mail.

This seems to apply to UPS. I know that they are supposed to ship ammo at a higher rate because it's hazardous. Well, we all know it isn't but that's what the regs say. My local UPS doesn't ask if it's ammo or hazardous or any thing. They just ship it. They actually told me one time to shut up about it and just ship it ground which is how it has to go anyway.

My post office is in a small town and they mostly don't know the regulations. I happen to know what they are and abide. I actually have more trouble shipping apples in a whiskey box than I do shipping a firearm. A good rule of thumb is don't ship a handgun USPS and insure everything to the max. Generally, with all carriers, they will start asking questions when you want 1K worth of insurance so you might as well be honest about it. Handguns go second day for a reason.
 
Most dealers in my area charge $35.00-$50.00 to handle a transaction, plus the shipping and insurance costs. While this may sound high, it is less money than an hour of an attorney's time, much less than trial and appeal costs.
 
Since an FFL 01 Dealer CAN ship USPS Priority Mail (about $10), you might want to find one who will do it for a reasonable fee. I am luck enough to have a local dealer who I have done quite a bit of business with. When I want to ship a handgun, I USPS Priority Mail box it for shipping, and bring it to him with a copy of the FFL it is being shipped to. I pay him the flat rate shipping charge, along with the items insurance fee. He drops it off at the local small town post office for me with a $5.00 fee for his efforts. It pays to establish a relationship with a local gun shop...

Larry
 
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On the line that says Type of License it has in big bold writing:
03-COLLECTOR OF CURIOS AND RELICS
 
On the line that says Type of License it has in big bold writing:
03-COLLECTOR OF CURIOS AND RELICS

Bingo, that's what I was after. That 03 should be the fourth set of numbers in the license number itself. Gave mine up several years ago and couldn't remember. Thanks guy!
 

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