Shipping a Firearm Per the ATF and the US Postal Service

Here it is in Black and White PER the ATF and the US Postal Service. I'm not an expert by any means but I have been dealing professionally in firearms transfers and shipping for over 25 years and learned a few things along the way.

http://www.atf.gov/content/firearms-...rearms-carrier

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)]

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]


Now for the US Postal Service regulations. Notice that #1 Clearly is referring to "Handguns" and NOT "any other firearms" such as suppressors AOW's or stripped rifle receivers. This is where some people try to "interpret" the rules and get it wrong. Suppressors are perfectly legal to ship via the US Postal Service, as well as Machine guns (legally registered that is). And since UPS will not ship a machine gun you really only have USPS or FedEx to deal with. And since FedEx only insures up to $1,000 USPS is really the ONLY choice you have as they will provide insurance up to $25,000.

Of course it also depends on if your local Post Office staff knows its own regulations or just doesn't want to ship your firearm period.

http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm

432 Mailability

432.1 General

The following conditions apply:

1. 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 432.1and DMM 601.11.1.
   
2. 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 432.1and DMM 601.11.1 or 601.11.2.
   
   
3. Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are generally permitted, as specified in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM 601.11.2.
   
   
4. Unloaded rifles and shotguns may be mailed if the mailer fully complies with the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Public Law 90—618) and18 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.