Shipping new AR Lowers via USPS...
- Thread starter Czechvar
- Start date
DWalt
Member
You know, I have thought for a long time that there was a business opportunity for some carrier to specialize in firearms shipment to eliminate the hassles thrown up by USPS, FedEx, and UPS. Looks like there is one.
italiansport
Member
This is correct. I have a female postal employee challenge me the last time I mailed a rifle even though I explained it was going to a FFL. The male agent next to her told her I was in the right and to let me mail the package. I also have mailed antique pistols USPS with a note inside explaining this item is an antique and exempt for federal laws or postal regulations. I've never had a problem.
Jim
ladder13 is correct....in his statementNothing is a problem, until it is.
but to other comments... No one is suggesting not following laws. When you got your last package from Amazon, did it have the contents printed on the label?...nope. We all would be amazed what passes through the mail system.
Last edited:
DWalt
Member
Unless a carrier X-rays every package, there is no way USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc. could know what is in the package, other than if it were subjected to a random inspection. That probably does not happen very often. Some years ago I shipped several boxes of ammo by USPS. It arrived at its destination OK, but maybe I was just lucky.
How do the manufacturers of lowers ship them?
I can't speak to that other than they probably ship them the same way a gun manufacturer ships guns. Most likely to a distributor. But I may be wrong.
Umm, they are FFL's and usally do not use USPS either, They ship UPS or Fed EX to other FFLs
Rastoff
US Veteran
The USPS does randomly x-ray packages to determine if they have anything illegal in them. This statement and ladder13's is indeed a suggestion that someone should just "take their chances" with the USPS.
What boggles the mind is why we're even having this discussion. Why not just ship it by UPS or FedEx and be done with it?
jsfricks
Member
UPS and FedEx require overnight shipping for firearms, which is around $90-$100. And I'm sure folks ship guns by ground with both of these companies too, but if lost or damaged, good luck getting insurance to cover it.
UPS website-
Use These UPS Services for Your Firearm Shipment
Handguns, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 921, will be accepted for transportation only via UPS Next Day Air Services, specifically, UPS Next Day Air® Early, UPS Next Day Air®, and UPS Next Day Air Saver®. (Note: UPS Express Critical™ Service is not available for firearms).
FedEx-
Per §922(f)(2), FedEx requires firearm shipments to include the Direct Signature Required or Adult Signature Required Delivery Signature Option. They also require that packages must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight service. FedEx firearms shipments cannot be placed in a FedEx Express Drop Box; they must be presented for shipment at a FedEx location and, upon presenting the package for shipment, the person tendering the shipment to FedEx Express is required to give notification that the package contains a firearm.
Last edited:
Just got an attorneys opinion. You can't ship an AR lower via USPS.
Boy do I feel stupid.
I'll go to bed now.
Boy do I feel stupid.
I'll go to bed now.
Tyrod
Member
Many of the posters have been rubbing the nub, but aren't quite there yet. I'm not sure I can get there either. The real question is whether an AR lower is a rifle, handgun or stripped lower. The ATF has added stripped lower classification to a FFLs permanently bound book (or computer records) specifically for unassembled lowers. The end point selling FFL, upon receipt, can log the receiver in any of these 3 classifications. Obviously, a receiver logged in as a rifle can only be built as a rifle. A receiver logged in as a pistol can be built as a pistol (or possibly as a rifle). The stripped lower has no restrictions outside the NFA. Theoretically, a stripped lower logged in by the receiving FFL as a rifle, then built as a rifle can never be built (or rebuilt) as a handgun. There are specific Federal laws concerning this. I believe a handgun can be converted to a rifle as long as the NFA is complied with. A stripped lower would seem to be the best option because it can be built as either a rifle or handgun and converted to either as long as the NFA is complied with. The rub comes from how does your state feels about this. Some take the tough road and determine that since a logged stripped lower can be built as a handgun then their petty handgun rules apply. I think most don't care one way or the other as long as Federal guidelines and rules are obeyed.
As far as I know all these rules and determinations are still kinda up in the air. A contradictory ruling could come into effect in a heart beat (see Sig Arm Brace rulings). I don't know how the USPS feels about all this. I kinda feel it would depend on what classification the FFL you bought it from logged it in as. That's a tough cookie to crack. I'm sure it would require court time and a subpoena. I would also expect the USPS to take the conservative stance and determine on lowers logged in as rifles only can be shipped by individuals. So what ya gonna do? Drag your dealer down to the PO with his bound book to prove your lowers are rifles? They were prolly logged in as stripped lowers.
Edit: In cases where I've used stripped lowers substitute receiver only.
As far as I know all these rules and determinations are still kinda up in the air. A contradictory ruling could come into effect in a heart beat (see Sig Arm Brace rulings). I don't know how the USPS feels about all this. I kinda feel it would depend on what classification the FFL you bought it from logged it in as. That's a tough cookie to crack. I'm sure it would require court time and a subpoena. I would also expect the USPS to take the conservative stance and determine on lowers logged in as rifles only can be shipped by individuals. So what ya gonna do? Drag your dealer down to the PO with his bound book to prove your lowers are rifles? They were prolly logged in as stripped lowers.
Edit: In cases where I've used stripped lowers substitute receiver only.
Last edited:
