Can a PA FFL accept a shipment from a non-FFL to transfer to me?

**Asterix909** · February 6th, 2009, 05:03 PM

Many auctions on gunbroker.com are from private sellers. Many of these sellers include messages like this one:

all transaction thru a will be shipped legally by private owner to your FFL, if your area requires it shipped from a FFL to your FFL please do not bid, or a $75 fee will need to be required to be added to your final winning bid and shipping and handling.

Can a PA FFL accept a shipment from a non-FFL to transfer to me?
I've never bought from GB before so I am learning as I go.

Thanks

**Xringshooter** · February 6th, 2009, 05:25 PM

A PA FFL can accept a shipment from a non FFL if they want to, but there are many FFL's that will not accept from a non-FFL. That means that the seller would have to go to a FFL, and pay him to ship it FFL to FFL. The $75 is set by the seller (probably to take into account the FFLs' fees, and shipping cost and the seller's time to take it to a FFL).

There is no laws that say a FFL cannot accept a shipment from a non-FFL. In fact the BATFE site explains how a non-licensee can ship to a FFL anywhere in the US.

I accept from non-FFL's but they must include a photocopy of their drivers license. This is because when I enter the gun into my bound book I must show the name and address of where the gun came from. If it is shipped FFL to FFL I get the info from the sending FFLs' license.

Some info from the BATFE:

B7) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?

A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier?

A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

(B9) May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity?

Yes. A person may ship a firearm 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. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.