Shipping Firearms for Sale

richardlpalmer · Sep 28, 2012

So I have a variety of rifles/shotguns up for sale and have them on a few different sites -- all are pretty much local.

Well, there's this muzzleloader that hasn't gotten any interest so I put it up on a muzzle loader site (the place that helped me identify exactly what it was and the value). Got immediate interest (yay!) and after a while got an offer on it that seems good.

Here's the rub. The guy wants me to ship it to him...

Now I'm not so worry about packing the thing, but more how to go about it so there's no trouble. I've found some stuff on a few sites that state everything must go through a location with an FFL on both sides of the transaction. Then other sites that say it just needs to be disclosed at the shipment location and not mailed ready to fire.

Anyone? If there's too much expense involved I'll just say screw it and make it for local sale only...

koorbloh · Sep 28, 2012

did you look for the rules themselves? or search on forums?
432 Mailability

432 Mailability

432.1 General

The following conditions apply:
Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person (referred to as “handguns”) are nonmailable in the domestic mail, except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.1.
The disassembled parts of a handgun or other type of nonmailable firearm that can be readily reassembled as a weapon are nonmailable, except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.1 or 601.11.2.
Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are generally permitted, as specified in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.2.
Unloaded rifles and shotguns may be mailed if the mailer fully complies with the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Public Law 90—618) and
18 U.S.C. 921. The mailer may be required to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not excluded from mailing because of the restrictions in 432.1b and c.

Unloaded Rifle or Shotgun
Short-barreled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person are nonmailable.
The mailer must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968 and with state and local laws.
The Postal Service may require the mailer to open the parcel or give written certification that the weapon is unloaded and not concealable.
Registered Mail service is recommended.

ATF Online - Firearms - Frequently Asked Questions - Unlicensed Persons

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)]

sunofnun · Sep 28, 2012

Richard.. all you do is go to any local gun shop.. they're all licensed FFL dealers.
The're like the Fedex/UPS of the gun world.

You work with them to package up your guns.. and they ship to a local FFL for your buyer.

Pretty straight forward. Hit me up on IM if you need more questions answered..

j

hualosman · Oct 1, 2012

Richard,

What koorbloh quoted from the ATF is the relevant part. If you're shipping it to someone in WA, you can ship it directly to them with no FFL required. put it in a box unloaded (probably with some bubble wrap), take it to the Post Office, and mail it to them. Simple as that. However, if it's going across state lines, you must ship it to an FFL. You can do that yourself, you don't have to take it to an FFl in your area. Since it's a long gun, the Post Office will take it. I wouldn't use UPS or Fed Ex, they make you send a firearm overnight and it will cost probably around $100. My sources are the ATF, USPS, and UPS websites. Just search firearms on each one and you get the regulations that govern shipping firearms.

Shipping Firearms for Sale

richardlpalmer

koorbloh

sunofnun

hualosman

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