Question on shipping a handgun

If it doesn't fit the topic in any of the other forums, and is firearm-related, put it here!
User avatar
Buggydave
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 52
Joined: July 5th, 2018, 8:50 pm
Reputation: 0
Location: Chandler

Question on shipping a handgun

#1

Post by Buggydave »

I am selling a handgun to a friend of mine who lives in North Carolina. Now I have always thought that I need to ship it through a FFL here in Az, to an FFL in N.C. But, a good friend of mine told me that I don't necessarily have to do that since it is a used gun from a friend to a friend, that I can just put the case in a box and send it UPS. Is he right? Neither of us care either way, except less fees just going through UPS but want to make sure. Thanks


User avatar
PK90
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 74
Joined: May 17th, 2018, 10:24 am
Reputation: 1
Location: Goodyear
Contact:

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#2

Post by PK90 »

You can send it directly using UPS or FedEx overnight/next day providing the receiving dealer will accept from a non-licensee. However, it may be cheaper to use a dealer to send it even with a transfer fee, because they can send it through the US Postal Service.
User avatar
smithers599
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 4363
Joined: June 29th, 2018, 6:58 am
Reputation: 23
Location: East side

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#3

Post by smithers599 »

Bad news and good news.

Bad news: you can't ship it directly to your friend.
Good news: you don't have to ship it FFL to FFL. You just need to send it to FFL in North Carolina.

From the ATF website:
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 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 or ammunition, prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm and requires obtaining written acknowledgement of receipt.
[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a)(5), 922(e) and (f); 27 CFR 478.30 and 478.31]
QuietM4
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 2127
Joined: May 15th, 2018, 8:36 pm
Reputation: 12
Location: Tempe

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#4

Post by QuietM4 »

Your friend is wrong. You cannot ship a firearm to another individual; it must go through a licensed FFL dealer. However, you can ship it to the FFL.

Go to www.shipmygun.com

Super easy, great prices. Just find an FFL near your friend to ship it to, and include a copy of your DL with the handgun, so the FFL knows who it came from for his record keeping.
User avatar
shooter444
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 1790
Joined: May 14th, 2018, 1:17 pm
Reputation: 6
Location: Az desert

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#5

Post by shooter444 »

"But, a good friend of mine told me that I don't necessarily have to do that since it is a used gun from a friend to a friend, that I can just put the case in a box and send it UPS."


Your "good friend",... ain't,... unless you like being a felon.
User avatar
Matwell
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 82
Joined: January 17th, 2019, 4:53 pm
Reputation: 0
Location: Arizona

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#6

Post by Matwell »

Can anyone clarify - As I understand it, the above is correct. It must be received by a FFL if you are not the owner. However if you are the owner, it may be shipped directly to you.

i.e. If a friend/family member borrows a firearm from me here in AZ, travels to another state, then can ship it directly back to me, correct?
User avatar
smithers599
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 4363
Joined: June 29th, 2018, 6:58 am
Reputation: 23
Location: East side

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#7

Post by smithers599 »

Matwell wrote: May 20th, 2019, 8:59 pm Can anyone clarify - As I understand it, the above is correct. It must be received by a FFL if you are not the owner. However if you are the owner, it may be shipped directly to you.

i.e. If a friend/family member borrows a firearm from me here in AZ, travels to another state, then can ship it directly back to me, correct?
Alas, that would make too much sense.
In that case, your friend/family member could send it to an FFL near you, or your friend/family member could have an FFL send it to you.
When going to/from a different state, an FFL will be involved.
User avatar
Ballistic Therapy
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 1438
Joined: June 18th, 2018, 4:05 pm
Reputation: 2
Location: Pima County

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#8

Post by Ballistic Therapy »

Read #4 here.
It should answer your question.

https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/doc ... f/download
User avatar
TangoDown
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 60
Joined: May 18th, 2019, 9:46 pm
Reputation: 3
Location: Phoenix

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#9

Post by TangoDown »

The only time I've heard shipping a firearm direct to an individual is in the case of a manufacturer sending a long gun back after repairing or modifying. Not sure on pistols.
User avatar
RandyTF
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 228
Joined: June 30th, 2018, 9:51 am
Reputation: 0
Location: N/W valley

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#10

Post by RandyTF »

No one has addressed the possibility that the gun to be shipped is one that is legal to own in the state where it is being shipped to. I suspect North Carolina isn't like California but it might be a good idea to have your friend find out if the model is legal there before shipping it to an FFL. The FFL will likely know the answer and if it is a prohibited gun there and he receives is, he will likely be forced to at least ship it back. Of course, there could be a goofy law that says otherwise. Such as the gun being turned over to law enforcement. In any case, it is simple to ask the question unless you already know the answer.
User avatar
Ballistic Therapy
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 1438
Joined: June 18th, 2018, 4:05 pm
Reputation: 2
Location: Pima County

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#11

Post by Ballistic Therapy »

TangoDown wrote: May 20th, 2019, 11:10 pm The only time I've heard shipping a firearm direct to an individual is in the case of a manufacturer sending a long gun back after repairing or modifying. Not sure on pistols.
If the gun has been sent to a licensed FFL for work they can send it directly back to you.
This goes with pistols also.
I have had a few pistols sent back to me after being worked on by a licensed FFL.
User avatar
XJThrottle
ArizonaShooting.org Bronze Supporter
ArizonaShooting.org Bronze Supporter
Posts: 2883
Joined: June 26th, 2018, 5:43 pm
Reputation: 7
Location: Phoemex

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#12

Post by XJThrottle »

Ballistic Therapy wrote: May 21st, 2019, 7:09 am
TangoDown wrote: May 20th, 2019, 11:10 pm The only time I've heard shipping a firearm direct to an individual is in the case of a manufacturer sending a long gun back after repairing or modifying. Not sure on pistols.
If the gun has been sent to a licensed FFL for work they can send it directly back to you.
This goes with pistols also.
I have had a few pistols sent back to me after being worked on by a licensed FFL.
Or the manufacture.
User avatar
Tim McBride
Site Moderator
Site Moderator
Posts: 586
Joined: May 4th, 2018, 8:09 am
Reputation: 3

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#13

Post by Tim McBride »

FFL is involved in interstate sale/transfer of ownership of firearms. This means that within the state of AZ, I can sell and directly ship a gun to the buyer(ie we both live in AZ, both AZ residents, ships from and to an AZ address). If I sell out of state I must ship to an FFL. If no transfer is taking place, such as shipping a gun to yourself, or a repair that returns the firearm to the owner, etc no FFL is required.
User avatar
TangoDown
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 60
Joined: May 18th, 2019, 9:46 pm
Reputation: 3
Location: Phoenix

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#14

Post by TangoDown »

This site answered the question on interstate mailing.

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/how-to-mail-guns/#toc1
User avatar
Buggydave
ArizonaShooting.org Member
ArizonaShooting.org Member
Posts: 52
Joined: July 5th, 2018, 8:50 pm
Reputation: 0
Location: Chandler

Re: Question on shipping a handgun

#15

Post by Buggydave »

OK, I have called a couple gun shops in the Chandler area, and only found one that will ship it for me and they want $100 to ship it! Any ideas?
Post Reply