Shipping Handgun to Myself in Another State?

[frjeff]

I am confused by the variety of answers I see to my question all over the net.

Here's the question:

I am flying to MI to drive my folks back to TX.
I would prefer not to deal with the airline hassle to check my carry gun when I fly there.
I have heard I can ship my handgun to myself c/o another individual (my son's home) as long as they don't open the package.

If that is true, do I do this via UPS, USPS, Fed Ex or who?

If not, would I have to use an FFL on each end?

Or, is checking it in my luggage my only/best option??

Thanks,

[joe817]

I'm skating on thin ice here, but for handguns you are required to use an FFL on both ends if you send it. IMO, your best option is to take it with you when you fly, but be absolutely what the requirements are.

There are those on this forum that know the specifics.

[Mike1951]

Individual FFL's differ on this. Some will accept shipments from an individual. Some will not.

An FFL is definitely required on the receiving end. Expect to complete a 4473 on your own gun, just as you would any other transfer. Ask in advance about state or local laws requiring a waiting period, etc.

The transfer will cost between $20-$50 and another $50-$60 for shipping.

You may want to reconsider jumping through the airline hoops.

[frjeff]

Whoooooooo, the airline "hoops" are not sounding all that bad at the moment.

[Cosmo 9]

Just take it with you. It's really not that big of a deal and there's plenty of info on the board here about how it's done. You'll spend less on a good lock box for inside your suit case than you would for shipping. I suggest a Center-of-mass lock box.

Have a safe trip.

[Mike1951]

Looks like you're good driving back as long as you avoid IL.

[TDDude]

Are you guys shure about this? I always thought I could ship a gun to myself via UPS. Of course I don't remember where I heard it but that's what I always believed.

Of course I'm too lazy to look it up.

(I'm not sure where I would look it up.)

Regardless. Flying with a weapon is very easy. You just have to keep the ammo and weapon in separate luggage and check them both. Declare them with the ticket agent and tadaaa.

I"m sure there's a limit to the ammo because all ammo shipments that you buy have to be shipped ground but I know I've always flown with a couple mags worth without any hassle. It's been a couple years since the last time but I've never had any issues.

[frjeff]

Looks like you're good driving back as long as you avoid IL.

Yup, I checked that some time ago. It will not be the route that the folks have used for 30 years, but being I'm the one driving, I guess they'll live with "IL avoidance"!
Or, if it keeps peace in the car, I'll put it in the trunk for a couple hundred miles.

I'll pick up a case at Cabela's Wednesday when I'm off work.

[Mike1951]

Here is the page for TSA regulations:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would also visit your airline's site.

Print both sets of rules and carry with you.

Although TSA isn't as strict on ammo, I recall some airlines insisting that the ammuntion still be in its original, factory box.

[srothstein]

While I agree that the airplane route is the easiest, according to the ATF, you can ship to yourself in another state. Form their firearms FAQ page:

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

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.

But if you read the question before it, you will get confused:

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

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.


As I read these, you can ship to yourself and ask the carrier to hold the package for pickup in their office (easiest way to prevent another from taking possession). I don't know if the carriers will agree. Last time I heard, FEDEX and UPS required overnight and would only accept delivery to an FFL, with a large fee for the shipment ($50-60). So, I still recommend the airline route. The only time I have had a problem with it I used the factory box and they said it was not a hard lockable case (I guess not, it was cardboard). Since then, with a proper case, no problems in probably about 15 or 20 flights.

[snorri]

I fly with a gun in checked baggage at least a dozen times a year. It's easy. That said, there are some cities/airports I would avoid with a pistol, like DC, NYC and Chicago, but I would also avoid those cities with a pistol locked in the trunk of my car.

[Aggie_engr]

As previously mentioned, I would go the airline route. When I purchased my LCP in illinois, it had to be shipped to an FFL here in TX and wait for my arrival. After the $60 transfer fee, harrasment about my chl, paperwork, I flew back to illinois with Southwest. It's so much easier, just get you a lockbox and you're good to go. I originally got mine so that I could fly with my gun, but now it has turned into my truck box. Check the rules for flying with your firearm with whichever airline you will use, declare that you have a firearm when you check your bags in which takes a whopping 20 seconds for a TSA person to look at it, ask if it is unloaded, and slap a TSA seal (sticker) on the box.

Regarding ammo, it just can't be thrown in loosely, it either has to be in the original factory box/foam or plastic holder, or some sort of plastic ammo organizing box would work. Ammo need not be in separate bags from the gun, it can be in the same bag/ same container as the unloaded gun in proper packaging. Edited to add: a conatiner the holds the ammo so that the primers are not exposed. i.e. the plastic ammo organizer. I had a 50 round box of remington .380 in my lockbox with the LCP and no trouble.

Or, if it keeps peace in the car, I'll put it in the trunk for a couple hundred miles.

I took mine around with me also, but the gun has to either be unloaded in a locked container, or preferrably disassembled in a non-working state. I don't beleive it has to be unloaded while locked up according to illinois law, but I asked a local LEO about it and he said it's better if it's unloaded. I don't know the reasoning behind that mentality because when the gun is locked up it is already worthless and in my view rendered inoperable in the event that you would need it. It was such a hassle driving to the cabelas across the state line into missouri, I would have to pull over, unlock my gun, stick it in my holster and then proceed to my destination, and reverse order before crossing back into IL. God blessed TEXAS!

[Liberty]

I always thought it could be stored in magazines.

[03Lightningrocks]

I fly with a gun in checked baggage at least a dozen times a year. It's easy. That said, there are some cities/airports I would avoid with a pistol, like DC, NYC and Chicago, but I would also avoid those cities with a pistol locked in the trunk of my car.

...my experience has been the same. No big deal checking it and letting it ride along under the plane with me.

[03Lightningrocks]

Looks like you're good driving back as long as you avoid IL.

Yup, I checked that some time ago. It will not be the route that the folks have used for 30 years, but being I'm the one driving, I guess they'll live with "IL avoidance"!
Or, if it keeps peace in the car, I'll put it in the trunk for a couple hundred miles.

I'll pick up a case at Cabela's Wednesday when I'm off work.

Not making any recommendations here, but just wanted to let you know that Illinois police officers don't have x-ray vision and they don't have gun detectors in their cars. I have driven through there more times than I can count and even received a ticket or two from their finest. Not once did they ever search my car or sniff out the gun stuck between the seat and console. I have yet to be strip searched due to a traffic stop and am pretty sure only the dumbest of the dumb give the cops a reason to treat them like they are a criminal over a speeding ticket. ..........