Shipping to Gunsmith

[Gunner46]

I've never had to ship one of my weapons to a 'Smith. Can it be done simply by shipping, back and forth, via UPS, Fed Ex, etc...or is it required to do so through a FFL dealer? I mean, after all, I already own the weapon, went through all the background check BS, and there is no transfer of registration.

 

[truck driver]

The Smith has to be a FFL holder. I have shipped guns via USPS and have only been questioned once by a clerk that didn't know what they were doing. When asked what's in the box just tell them it's a BROKEN firearm going to a gun smith for repairs and have it insured for what it would cost to replace it.

 

[5shot]

You can't legally ship through USPS unless you are an FFL yourself. I have a friend who is a Postmaster, and they confirmed. An individual can use UPS or FedEx.

 

[Dr. Vette]

You can't legally ship through USPS unless you are an FFL yourself. I have a friend who is a Postmaster, and they confirmed. An individual can use UPS or FedEx.

Incorrect. You may ship a rifle or shotgun, but you may NOT ship a handgun via USPS unless you have an FFL.

You can even have USPS pick up as a Priority package at your front door. That is by far the easiest way to do it if you're available to be home when they stop by. Otherwise you may bring it in to the post office for shipping. Just do NOT say what's in there or label as such. It's just a package.

Copied from the USPS website:

12.2 Rifles and Shotguns

[Revise renumbered 12.2 as follows:]

Except under 12.1.1d and 12.1.2, unloaded rifles and shot­guns are mailable. Mailers must comply with the rules and regulations under 27 CFR, Part 478, as well as state and local laws. The mailer may be required by the USPS to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the rifle or shotgun is unloaded and not ineligible for mailing under 12.1.1d. The following conditions also apply:

a. Subject to state, territory, or district regulations, rifles and shotguns may be mailed without restriction when sent within the same state of mailing. These items must bear a “Return Service Requested” endorsement, and must be sent by Express Mail (“signature required” must be used at delivery) or Registered Mail, or must in­clude either insured mail service (for more than $200) requiring a signature at delivery.

b. A shotgun or rifle owned by a non-FFL may be mailed outside the owner’s state of residence by the owner to himself or herself, in care of another person in the state, where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. These mailpieces must:

1. Be addressed to the owner.

2. Include the “in the care of” endorsement immedi­ately preceding the name of the applicable tem­porary custodian.

3. Be opened by the rifle or shotgun owner only.

4. Be mailed using services described in 12.2a.

c. Rifles and shotguns may be mailed by a non-FFL owner domestically to a FFL dealer, manufacturer, or importer in any state. USPS recommends these items be mailed using those services described in 12.2a.

d. Except as described in 12.1.2a, licensed curio and relic collectors may mail firearms meeting the defini­tion of curios or relics under 27 CFR 478.11 domes­tically to FFL licensed curio and relic collectors in any state. USPS recommends these items be mailed us­ing those services described in 12.2a.

e. Firearms that 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 restriction.

f. Air guns that do not fall within the definition of firearm under 12.1.1a are mailable. A shipment containing an air gun with a muzzle velocity of 400 or more feet per second (fps) must include an Adult Signature service under 503.8.0. Mailers must additionally comply with all applicable state and local regulations.

12.3 Legal Opinions on Mailing Firearms

[Revise renumbered 12.3 as follows:]

Postmasters are not authorized to give opinions on the legality of any shipment of firearms. Further advice and ATF contact information is available at http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/
.

 

[DrMike]

Many of the requirements for shipping and/or transport of firearms in the USA are more restrictive than what we live with in Canada. That is most interesting to me.

 

[5shot]

Incorrect. You may ship a rifle or shotgun, but you may NOT ship a handgun via USPS unless you have an FFL.

You can even have USPS pick up as a Priority package at your front door. That is by far the easiest way to do it if you're available to be home when they stop by. Otherwise you may bring it in to the post office for shipping. Just do NOT say what's in there or label as such. It's just a package.

Yup...I had asked about a pistol. My mistake.

 

[Anonymous]

I've mailed or UPS'd several rifles or shotguns to gunsmiths or back to the factory for repairs or other work.

Straightforward process with no drama.

I'll add that I like to remove the bolt and put it in a smaller box with a rifle....a box that gets dropped hard on a bolt handle can crack a stock. Same thing when flying with one in checked luggage.