I always wondered...

[DonT]

Question. Without going political, the sign on the post office says;

"It is a Federal offense to bring firearms on property" (in so many words). But you can ship firearms through the mail. Seems a little contradictory? What am I missing?

[nashvillebill]

Catch .22

[Guy Neill]

My understanding (and I haven't checked) is that only dealers can mail firearms and that only includes longarms, not handguns. Most dealers lean to the package services for better tracking.

Guy

[Flexmoney]

Through the US Postal service...

I understand that individuals can mail long guns (to an FFL). (It's been a while, but I have done so.)

Dealers can mail handguns to an FFL. (I've recieved, through my local FFL, handguns shipped dealer to dealer.)

[Dan Sierpina]

Through the US Postal service...

I understand that individuals can mail long guns (to an FFL). (It's been a while, but I have done so.)

Buy a CMP Garand......it comes direct to you by the US Postal Service

[High Lord Gomer]

I recently shipped a handgun via the post office. At first, I left it in the truck while I went inside to ask if it was possible. They said yes so I got it and brought it in. I gave them a copy of the FFL to which I was shipping it, but they didn't even look at it.

BTW, I do not have an FFL.

[FranDoc]

Federal offense to carry a loaded weapon on Federal premises (exclusions for sworn LE).

If you are shipping a gun, it is presumed to be unloaded; though you do not need to take other measures to disable the weapon.

I've found that shipping a handgun, either via USPS or one of the other carriers, can be highly dependent upon the staff behind the counter. I've shipped to an FFL for repairs both via Postal Svc and through a Kinko's/FedEx with no problem. I've run into hard walls in both places at other times. The only place that hasn't blinked at the request has been the general service desk at a FedEx central terminal.

[racerba]

According to the federal firearms regulation:

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

A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a nonlicensed 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)]

(F14) Who may ship handguns through the U.S. Postal Service?

Federal firearm licensees may send an unloaded handgun in the mail to

another FFL in customary trade shipments. Handguns also may be

mailed to any officer, employee, agent, or watchman who is eligible

under 18 U.S.C. 1715 to receive pistols, revolvers, and other firearms

capable of being concealed on the person for use in connection with his

or her official duties. However, postal service regulations must be followed.

Any person proposing to mail a handgun must file with the postmaster,

at the time of mailing, an affidavit signed by the addressee

stating that the addressee is qualified to receive the firearm, and the affidavit

must bear a certificate stating that the firearm is for the official use of the

addressee. See the current Postal Manual for details.

The Postal Service recommends that all firearms 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. (See

also Questions B7 and B8.)