TexasCHLforum.com

Mhoward wrote:Take it apart, ship pieces in two different packages. Any laws on shipping parts?

Yes, one of those parts is the receiver, which IS a firearm. The ATF is clear about this.

alexrex20 wrote:
I can't get caught if I've never done it. I've only had to ship a handgun a few times, and I just ponied up the $60 and shipped it FedEx Priority Overnight. I was just relaying the method I know many other people use.

My apologies for the implication. At least you're clearer on the law now, and can let your friends know (either before they ship or, for the friends you don't like so much, after they're behind bars )

alexrex20 wrote:ship it UPS Ground and don't declare it as a handgun. it's not illegal, it's just against UPS company policy.

or FedEx, same difference.

...
just food for thought.

Here's more food for thought: Just because YOU think it's ok doesn't make it legal. It is, in fact, ILLEGAL to not declare a firearm. Period.

Q: 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]

Good thing you never got caught, eh?

CheckonChico wrote:So UPS or FedEx would be fine??

Technically, they SHOULD accept it, but they have the right to refuse. In addition, it will likely cost you $50-$100 to ship (overnight fees plus firearm shipping fees). You can NOT take it to a local UPS store though, you need to call the nearest main UPS shipping facility and explain what you need to do, they will tell you if you can do it. There is no federal law that says you can't ship a handgun intrastate, but the law does say the Post Office won't do it.

JJVP wrote:

WildBill wrote:

CheckonChico wrote:I recently purchased a handgun from a buddy of mine in amarillo. What's the easiest way for him to ship it to me? Can he just ship it fed ex, or does it have to go thru an FFL?....I need it shipped to me in Fort Worth. tia!

That's not a good question. The easiest way would be USPS, but that's against the law.
You need to go through an FFL. Either that or make a road trip.

He does not have to ship through an FFL if he is shipping in-state. FFL is only required for out of state shipping.

http://www.gunbroker.com/support/Suppor ... faqid=1118" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well, kind of true, but observe the cruel nature of the federal regulations:
Q: 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)]

So, in a nutshell:
1) yes, you can transfer a firearm to another resident IN your state
2) The US Post Office won't touch a handgun unless it's shipped from an FFL, regardless of in/out of state
3) Common carriers (i.e., UPS or FedEx) may ship it, but most won't unless it's going to an FFL, and both will require overnight shipping.

Frankly: Drive to Amarillo. Probably Cheaper. Or have him meet you in Wichita Falls, if you will split the difference.