Is it possible to send a gun in the mail legally? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

zfleebin · 08-05-2003, 03:39 PM

I have been wanting a 38 special for a while and instead of buying it I was planning on having my dad give me his old one. I am twenty one and live in colorado he lives in phoenix. I could wait till the next time I go down there but my b-day is coming up and thats why he is giving it to me. So the question is can a gun LEGALLY be sent in the mail, ups, any service? Please only post yes if you did this and followed the law cause I wouldnt play the postal service nowadays. Thanks in advance for replies

Slims · 08-05-2003, 04:16 PM

Um, yes and no. I know that it is legal to send a firearm to the manufacturer for repairs, and they can send it back to you.

But, if your dad buys the gun, I think he has to ship it to an FFL, and you have to pick it up from them (it will only cost like twenty dollars).

I guess what I'm trying to say is that yes, it is legal to send a firearm through the mail. I think fedex lets you, but I am not sure. However, it might not be legal for your dad to send you the gun.

I am sure someone will be able to give you the details.

Leviathan[NCV] · 08-05-2003, 07:09 PM

You need to send it to a licensed dealer, who will charge you a small charge (usualy a % of the guns value) to handle the transaction.

My father sent a gun through the mail at some point, were he not a police officer he'da been in a little mess of trouble.

hrdwareguy · 08-06-2003, 05:20 AM

Just use UPS instead of the postal system. They'll ship it.

merkerguitars · 08-06-2003, 06:45 AM

My dad has done it before, I think he just shipped it UPS. You might have to fill out some forms though.

j8ear · 08-06-2003, 10:37 AM

You can send a gun via post NO PROBLEM. I would definately use UPS or FedEx (both require it be declared as a firearm)...much better accountability and less 'jumping through hoops' for insurance claims. If your father buys a gun and 'gives' it to you, that is referred to as a straw man purchase and is a federal felony, in addition to other possible state crimes. In order for the weapon to be legally transfered it must go through an FFL. The FFL will run a backround check, institute the 10 day waiting period and charge handsomely for the service. Never heard of it costing under $50 bucks but you never know. FFL's like it much better when a firearm is bought from them, instead of transferred through them.

THIS IS NOT TRUE about a pre-brady bill weapon though, as it could have been given to you prior to it's enactment. I'm no lawyer and would recommend seeking qualified advise specific to your situation.

good luck....and watch out for the man...anything they can do to take away your arms will be employed.

Lebell · 08-06-2003, 02:45 PM

Small correction, guns CAN be bought and given as gifts to immediate family members (as opposed to a "strawman" purchase).

Sarah I-Hate-Guns Brady bought a rifle and gave it to her son.

And yes, ship it Fed-Ex or UPS.

j8ear · 08-06-2003, 06:14 PM

It is entirely possible. I am not actually sure. I would like to believe this to be true at the federal level. In Maryland I know that it is not legal for this transfer to occur.

However, if the recipient of the weapon is not eligible for weapons ownership....i.e was busted for weed or had an irrate ex-girlfriend claim he was threatening her life...then the straw man purchase would apply no?

Straw man felonies are usually only an issue after the commision of a crime anyway. Even after the completion of any weapons discharge that comes to the attention of the authorities. Take caution is the best advice.

souzafone · 08-06-2003, 08:58 PM

I've seen guns shipped UPS with no problem---disassembled in different packages.

Menoman · 08-07-2003, 04:42 AM

UPS will ship it like those people said. It helps if you tear it apart and send it in like 2 boxes.

08-05-2003, 03:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
zfleebin Addict	Is it possible to send a gun in the mail legally? I have been wanting a 38 special for a while and instead of buying it I was planning on having my dad give me his old one. I am twenty one and live in colorado he lives in phoenix. I could wait till the next time I go down there but my b-day is coming up and thats why he is giving it to me. So the question is can a gun LEGALLY be sent in the mail, ups, any service? Please only post yes if you did this and followed the law cause I wouldnt play the postal service nowadays. Thanks in advance for replies

08-05-2003, 04:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	Um, yes and no. I know that it is legal to send a firearm to the manufacturer for repairs, and they can send it back to you. But, if your dad buys the gun, I think he has to ship it to an FFL, and you have to pick it up from them (it will only cost like twenty dollars). I guess what I'm trying to say is that yes, it is legal to send a firearm through the mail. I think fedex lets you, but I am not sure. However, it might not be legal for your dad to send you the gun. I am sure someone will be able to give you the details. __________________ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence

08-06-2003, 05:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
hrdwareguy "Officer, I was in fear for my life" Location: Oklahoma City	Just use UPS instead of the postal system. They'll ship it. __________________ Gun Control is hitting what you aim at Aim for the TFP, Donate Today

08-06-2003, 06:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	My dad has done it before, I think he just shipped it UPS. You might have to fill out some forms though. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

08-06-2003, 10:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
j8ear Gentlemen Farmer Location: Middle of nowhere, Jersey	You can send a gun via post NO PROBLEM. I would definately use UPS or FedEx (both require it be declared as a firearm)...much better accountability and less 'jumping through hoops' for insurance claims. If your father buys a gun and 'gives' it to you, that is referred to as a straw man purchase and is a federal felony, in addition to other possible state crimes. In order for the weapon to be legally transfered it must go through an FFL. The FFL will run a backround check, institute the 10 day waiting period and charge handsomely for the service. Never heard of it costing under $50 bucks but you never know. FFL's like it much better when a firearm is bought from them, instead of transferred through them. THIS IS NOT TRUE about a pre-brady bill weapon though, as it could have been given to you prior to it's enactment. I'm no lawyer and would recommend seeking qualified advise specific to your situation. good luck....and watch out for the man...anything they can do to take away your arms will be employed. __________________ It's alot easier to ask for forgiveness then it is to ask for permission.

08-05-2003, 07:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Leviathan[NCV] Well... Location: afk	You need to send it to a licensed dealer, who will charge you a small charge (usualy a % of the guns value) to handle the transaction. My father sent a gun through the mail at some point, were he not a police officer he'da been in a little mess of trouble.

08-06-2003, 02:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Lebell Cracking the Whip Location: Sexymama's arms...	Small correction, guns CAN be bought and given as gifts to immediate family members (as opposed to a "strawman" purchase). Sarah I-Hate-Guns Brady bought a rifle and gave it to her son. And yes, ship it Fed-Ex or UPS. __________________ "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU! Please Donate!

08-06-2003, 06:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
j8ear Gentlemen Farmer Location: Middle of nowhere, Jersey	It is entirely possible. I am not actually sure. I would like to believe this to be true at the federal level. In Maryland I know that it is not legal for this transfer to occur. However, if the recipient of the weapon is not eligible for weapons ownership....i.e was busted for weed or had an irrate ex-girlfriend claim he was threatening her life...then the straw man purchase would apply no? Straw man felonies are usually only an issue after the commision of a crime anyway. Even after the completion of any weapons discharge that comes to the attention of the authorities. Take caution is the best advice. __________________ It's alot easier to ask for forgiveness then it is to ask for permission.

08-06-2003, 08:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
souzafone Insane	I've seen guns shipped UPS with no problem---disassembled in different packages.