Posted: 3/5/2003 10:57:16 AM EDT
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So I drop my Bushmaster upper in the mail for a journey to Kurts Kustom Firearms in Florida and all hell broke out as to the legality of shipping a barrel or not. I new I was asking for trouble using Mail Boxes Ect with new owners less than 6 months on the job. I swear they called the freakin' FBI just to find out if they could ship my upper or not. I was so embarrased, the upper was wrapped in clear bubble wrap, first mistake, then the owners get nosey and start asking what it is, I say a barrel, they freak out big time, they called some phone # 2 different times, all the while shitting in their pants. Best part was they new about shipping through an FFL dealer, I said yes only if it was a lower, as in trigger, serial #, ect. So they were right to be cautious but even after getting the OK from the first phone call they still freaked out when wondering if an adult signature was needed upon delivery, I said it would be nice. So the male owner first asked what I am shipping, I say a barrel, he freaks. Later comes back and say what are you going to have done, a trigger job??? I swear he said this..I then say I would not be using your services, I would be at Bubbas Gun and Pawn since I would rather not share a cell with you..He did not like that. How do you guys ship your firearm stuff?? I swear if I had not wrapped the uppper before coming into Mail Boxes Ect and had just pulled it out of a case, the owners would have called the cops..It was very embarrasing to say the least. The lower was at home and all I wanted to do was ship the upper. Jeeze. I guess not everyone can know the shipping laws for firearms and such. It really sucked. |
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Put in box walk into post office and mail. priority with insurance sig required. If they have a problem have them look it up. I have only had 1 clerk look it up, she was cool, didn't say a thing just flipped some pages in the manual and came back and told me the mail rate. and this is in the peoples republic of Mass. |
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I am outin the middle of the cornfields, so I'm pretty much stuck using MBE. I concur that you should box it yourself and just tell them it's "parts". I used to sell a lot on Ebay, but got tired of my customers bitching about high shipping charges from MBE. They have a policy not to ship much of anything firearms related. I read that UPS has purchased MBE. They are supposed to be renaming the offices soon. I am concerned using USPS for anything. After the anthrax scare, I wonder how much screening is taking place there. I think you could get a visit from the Feds, or your upper would just disappear. |
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Hell, I just tell them I am shipping some tools, a pipe, or what ever! It's funny to read your story as in the area I live we seem to have our full share of tree huggers and god forbid I have a gun! When I moved to my curren't location I stopped a local police officer and asked him if he was aware of any local laws prohibiting Machine gun or SBR registration. The police officer about popped until I explained how NFA laws work... Kind of funny sometimes! P.S. I live in the Philli PA area! |
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I was once informed that if you don't declare the exact contents and something happens to your package, you are fubar'd. I ship at the UPS customer counter and frequently they ask what is in the box. I don't lie and tell the truth. The guys usually are cool and don't freak like the womenz do. |
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So.... Now that we know how NOT to ship firearm related items.... What is the best method? I am planning on selling a rifle to a person a few states over. I am not an FFL, but according to the ATF it is legal for me to ship a firearm to an FFL in any state. I know i am required to inform the shipper that the item is a firearm. But they are not allowed to mark the package as a firearm. Thoughts? |
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You can create your own account with UPS online, charge it to a C/C or have them bill you. And then package your own stuff paid for atach the label and just use MBE to have the UPS guy pick it up free. With an online account you can ship without having to tell anyone whats in the box, but to ship a gun you must ship to an FFL, be an FFL or ship to the manufacturer and it must be shipped from the UPS customer service counters at UPS Terminals. MBE will soon be called the UPS Store Apr. 7th I think. |