Shipping Answers (to questions that are often asked)

[Xringshooter]

As long as it is a long arm USPS will send it. You do need to fill out a USPS Form 1508. Whoever told you that you can't is wrong. They need to read their own regulations. If they argue, ask for the Postmaster. If the Postmaster tells you that you can't, go on line and print out the appropriate section and show them. If they still won't then write to the Postmaster General. When I get the time I will research the section that explains it ans post it or edit my original post.

[JCWohlschlag]

Originally Posted by Xringshooter

As long as it is a long arm USPS will send it. You do need to fill out a USPS Form 1508. Whoever told you that you can't is wrong. They need to read their own regulations. If they argue, ask for the Postmaster. If the Postmaster tells you that you can't, go on line and print out the appropriate section and show them. If they still won't then write to the Postmaster General. When I get the time I will research the section that explains it ans post it or edit my original post.

USPS Domestic Mail Manual — Section 601: Mailability

From page 58:

11.3: Rifles and Shotguns

Although unloaded rifles and shotguns not precluded by 11.1.1e and 11.1.2 are mailable, mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968, Public Law 90-618, 18 USC 921, et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, 27 CFR 178, 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 gun is unloaded and not precluded by 11.1.1e.

[neshek770]

Non-FFL
Intrastate (within a state) Long Arms (Rifles, Shotguns): A non FFL can ship a long arm to an eligible person within the state via common carrier (UPS, FedEx, etc.) or USPS.


does that mean that one can do a privet sale threw the mail?

[Xringshooter]

Basically yes. As long as you are satisfied that the person receiving it is not a prohibited person you can do a sale that way. I have done several that way with PaFOA members in the past. I my cases the buyers sent me the money and a copy of their PA DL for my files and I shipped them the long gun. I have not had any problems.

[neshek770]

thanks a lot

[WWGunslinger]

Are there any requirements as to what the guns will be shipped in? Obviously, if I was shipping a gun somewhere, I want to protect it as much as possible, at least in a plastic padded case.

But does the shipping container need to be of a specific material or does the case need to be locked or anything like that? I guess it wouldn't really make sense to have it locked, as the person receiving it wouldn't be able to open it unless you shipped the key with it (in which locking it would be pointless) or shipping the key ahead or after the shipment of the gun.

[Xringshooter]

The gun needs to be shipped in a sturdy box, that's all. It does not have to be in a locked container unless that's what you want to do. When I ship, I wrap it up in corrugated paper (like what is in the middle of a box then put it in an appropriate sized box. Tape it up, address it and send it on it's way. You just want to make sure that it won't shift around and get damaged. For handguns I wrap it up, first a cloth then bubble wrap and it goes into the shipping container. I put balled up newspaper to fill the voids in the box so it doesn't move around.