Shipping Guns???

[Dan20703]

I have an odd situation. Last fall my mom died and my brother bought her house. No issues there at all. I kept several long guns up there (New York State) at her house for hunting, etc. My brother is not an anti by any means but I get the feeling that his wife really doesn't care for them sitting in her house. They have two children (girls 18 and 14). The guns are locked up so no access issues.

The questions are:
-Do I have to ship the guns to an FFL here to get them sent to me?
-Can I have an FFL up there ship them directly to me?
-Does the shipping have to occur between two FFLs?
-Since they are my guns already there is no ownership change. I don't have to go through all the paperwork again just to bring them into this state do I?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[seamusTX]

I'm sorry about the loss of your mother.

You're not legally required to use an FFL to ship the guns to yourself. The problem would for your brother to persuade UPS or FedEx to accept them for shipment to you. I've heard several stories of them refusing to ship to an unlicensed person.

As I read the law, your brother can ship them by U.S. mail to a Texas FFL, and you can claim them without going through NICS (with a CHL). FFLs charge anywhere from $10 to $25 for that service.

Were these guns ever registered in New York? I don't know how things work there. In most states that have registration, the registered owner may be required to provide proof of the disposition.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b7

(B7) 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.

- Jim

[amber]

Can't you just fly back with them in checked luggage next time you visit family?

[SCone]

(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.

As long as you are the owner of the firearms, then it look sto me like you could just send them home to yourself. You had them in NY for your use and that use is no longer needed.

[Dan20703]

Sounds like I will take a trip up there and just ship them back to myself here. I thought about bringing them back as checked luggage but it might cost as much as shipping them. I'll have to see when I take the trip.

Thanks all for the info!