Handguns may be shipped and received via the U.S. Mails (USPS) by, and only by, valid FFL holders (have done this many times). A copy of the recipient's VALID ink-signed FFL is required to be furnished to the shipper REGARDLESS if he is a dealer or not. The "E-Z Check" sytem on the BATF's website has only been available for a few months and is intended to be an independent verification of a suspected FFL forgery according to my letter from the BATF that announced this. I live in the Oklahoma City area and am THOUROUGHLY FED UP WITH UPS!!!!! The current manager of the local UPS service center is vociferously anti-gun. Since mid-1999, all of the declared firearm packages are opened and inspected at the counter. They do a really super job of repacking them (sarcasm). I've told my last few buyers to turn in insurance claims (treat me like an outlaw and I'll act like one). I've attempted to seek an explanation from the local manager, but have received answers like "We've ALWAYS done that," to which I reply, "Well, I've done business with this counter since early '94 and it's only been since mid-'99 that this has occurred," and the little wormy manager replies, "Oh yeah, that's right." At any rate, you get the picture; lousy service and insulting to your intelligence (many other gun related businesses and hobbyists in the area have gotten the same run around and are fed up, too). Out of the hundreds of packages that I've sent and received over the past several years, the only ones that have been lost, mis-delivered, damaged, or pilfered were UPS handled packages. Federal Express has a ground service that is competitive to what UPS charges. I would advise non-licensees to use USPS for your long guns and Federal Express for handguns and hazardous materials (powder and primers). Give UPS the shove off.