Posted: 4/21/2003 11:26:02 AM EDT
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I know that it is legal to ship long guns (i.e. rifles, shotguns, etc.) using the United States Postal Service. My question is, am I required to advised them that the shipment is a firearm or can the item be shipped like any other package ? Thanks, |
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Quoted: I know that it is legal to ship long guns (i.e. rifles, shotguns, etc.) using the United States Postal Service. My question is, am I required to advised them that the shipment is a firearm or can the item be shipped like any other package ? Thanks, If you are shipping to a licensee, you are not legally required to notify them (or any carrier)of the contents of the package. You are only required by law to notify the carrier that you are shipping a firearm if you are shipping to a nonlicensee. However, if you don't tell them, you can forget about any insurance claims. |
| I always make sure that I have an inked copy of the FFL in hand before I ship the firearm. My local post office, when I tell them that it's a firearm, act as though it's nuclear waste. The post offices in the other local towns say thank you and have a nice day. I didn't see anything in the federal regulations about having to tell the post office that it was a firearm and wasn't sure if I was requred to or not. Thanks |
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As I understand it, you may be required to certify or demonstrate that the firearm that you are shipping is not loaded. That, I believe, would require that you inform them that it is a firearm. I always have a copy of the FFL that it is being sent to and they file that when it ships. I've had no problems with it. Here are the applicable regs: 43 Firearms 431 Definitions 431.1 Firearm A firearm is defined as any device (including a starter gun) that is designed, or may readily be converted, to expel a projectile by an explosion, a spring, or other mechanical action, or by air or gas pressure with sufficient force to be used as a weapon. ... 431.4 Rifles and Shotguns A rifle is a shoulder weapon having a barrel that is 16 inches or more in length. A shotgun has a barrel of 18 inches or more in length. Rifles and shotguns have an overall length of 26 inches or greater and cannot be capable of being concealed on a person. ... 432 Mailability 432.1 General The following conditions apply: a. Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person (referred to as handguns) are nonmailable in the domestic mail except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM C024.1.0. b. The disassembled parts of a handgun or other type of nonmailable firearm that can be readily reassembled as a weapon are nonmailable except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM C024.1.0 or C024.2.0. c. Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are generally permitted as specified in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM C024.2.0. d. [red]Unloaded rifles and shotguns may be mailed if the mailer fully complies with the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-618) and 18 U.S.C. 921. The mailer may be required to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not excluded from mailing because of the restrictions in 431.2b and c.[/red] ... Unloaded Rifle or Shotgun Short-barrelled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on a person are nonmailable. Mailer must comply with Gun Control Act of 1968 and with the state and local laws. USPS may require mailer to open parcel or give written certification that weapon is unloaded and not concealable. Registered mail service is recommended. Unloaded Antique Firearm Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are acceptable for mailing. 432.3 Packaging and Marking [red]No markings of any kind that indicate the nature of the contents may be placed on the outside wrapper or container of any mailpiece containing firearms.[/red] Mailable matter must be properly and securely packaged within the general packaging requirements in DMM C010. 433 Mailer Responsibility Even though certain types of firearms are permitted to be mailed within the provisions of the postal law in 18 U.S.C. 1715, [red]it is the mailer's responsibility to comply with all federal and state regulations and local ordinances affecting the movement of firearms. [/red] 434 Legal Opinions on Mailing Firearms Postmasters are not authorized to give opinions on the legality of any shipment of rifles or shotguns. Mailers should be referred to the nearest regional ATF office for further advice. See 435 and Exhibit 435. Enjoy! |