Change in handgun shipping policy ????

[Mike1951]

I can't yet quote chapter and verse, but there MIGHT be something afoot!

First was when Empire Arms began stating on their website that they could now ship handguns UPS 2nd Day Air.

Then I received my flyer from Southern Ohio Guns and they have on the front cover that they can now ship handguns 2nd Day Air (no carrier specified).

I've been in the process of buying a Makarov from an individual in Indiana. Based on the first two items, I asked that he inquire about cheaper options.

I just heard back from him. He asked the clerk at Fedex and was told that the only option was Overnight and he was charged $53.07.

Two hours later, the same clerk called him at home and told him that handguns could now ship 2 or 3 day. In the interim, she had spoken to someone who confirmed the change.

Corrected shipping amount for my Makarov: $21.61

On Tuesday, I inquired at my local UPS center as well as speaking to a supervisor on their 800 number. If there is a new policy, it is a well kept secret.

[CopOnce]

It all depends on who you talk to at UPS for shipping information. I just shipped an AR15 to a FFL in Pasadena Texas UPS ground. On the phone, you couldn't get a straight answer if you had to, but once it was at the hub, there wasn't any problem with it. The people on the phones must not do too much of the shipping to know what's what. Ended OK...just frustrating getting it done.

[Mike1951]

It all depends on who you talk to at UPS for shipping information. I just shipped an AR15 to a FFL in Pasadena Texas UPS ground. On the phone, you couldn't get a straight answer if you had to, but once it was at the hub, there wasn't any problem with it. The people on the phones must not do too much of the shipping to know what's what. Ended OK...just frustrating getting it done.

You have always been able to ship long guns UPS ground.

[CopOnce]

You have always been able to ship long guns UPS ground.

I know that you always could...I was speaking of the UPS personnel not being knowledgeable about procedures. I will be shipping a S&W .44 magnum, model 29 here soon, so the information on shipping I'm reading here is good to know...Save a few bucks.

[03Lightningrocks]

The problem seems to be anti gun hysteria amongst many of the folks working at these places. I ran into another ignorant postal employee the other day when mailing a rifle. She was convinced i could only mail to the manufacturer. She said it was because it would scare people to receive a gun in the mail. I ran into another one a month or so ago. This retard was convinced that only an FFL could mail a rifle. I have noticed that as soon as you declare it is a rifle, every darned one of them start acting like fools.

[zbordas]

I heard from several people that they ship firearms as machine parts via UPS ground after field stripping the gun.
It is not illegal just against their policy.

They also use the acronym of the receiving facility not the full name so it will not make it obvious that the package contains a firearm.
Using an FFL to ship can also save money but might be more time consuming.

[Mike1951]

I heard from several people that they ship firearms as machine parts via UPS ground after field stripping the gun.
It is not illegal just against their policy.

Not following their policy IS illegal!!

(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier? [Back]

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]

No matter what, the receiver must be shipped as a firearm.

Those that try to get around the restrictions better hope they never need to file a claim aganst the shipper fir a lost or damaged shipment.

[boomerang]

Those that try to get around the restrictions better hope they never need to file a claim aganst the shipper fir a lost or damaged shipment.

Insurance will be much more valuable if they need to file a claim for loss or damage.

[Mike1951]

My point was that even if you purchase their insurance, but lied about the contents, you won't collect.

[03Lightningrocks]

My point was that even if you purchase their insurance, but lied about the contents, you won't collect.

That is correct. You have to show evidence that the item you shipped cost what you declared it cost. A document showing the value of a handgun won't do much good when trying to file a claim for lost machine parts.