Workbook

NOTE FROM GUNPLUMBER ON SHIPPING FIREARMS

(Revised 01-15-00)

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A) and 922(e), 27 CFR 178.31, a nonlicensee [no FFL] may mail a shotgun or

rifle to a resident of his own State or to a licensee in any State. Handguns are not mailable by non-licensees. A

handgun may be shipped dealer to dealer by USPS simply by filling out a Postal Form 1508 at time of shipping.

A common or contract carrier [UPS, Fed Ex, RPS] must be used to ship a handgun. A nonlicensee may not

transfer a handgun to a non licensed resident of another State. Some states like California may have additional

restrictions.

Airborne Express refuses to ship any firearm or related component, claiming they cannot stop their employees

from stealing.. Please join the ABNEX boycott, after expressing your dissatisfaction. UPS no longer accepts

handguns for ground service, claiming they also cannot keep their employees from stealing. They will ship by

next day air. The logic of segregating handguns to a special holding area where they are easily identified as

handguns, to prevent their theft, escapes me.

The Postal Service recommends that long guns [rifle or shotgun] 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. A carrier must be notified that the shipment contains a firearm. In addition, Federal law prohibits

common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it

contains a firearm.

ATF has determined there is no Federal requirement for a background check to return a firearm to the owner after

repair or replacement from a manufacturer or gunsmith. A background check is required for a licensee to return a

pawned or consignment sale firearm. NFA items may be shipped to a Class I dealer for repair with no

requirement for an ATF Form 5. ATF has determined this does not constitute a "transfer" since there is no change

of ownership.

The Permanent provisions of the Brady Law, in regards to the NCIS background check, have no effect on

shipping a firearm to the manufacturer or dealer for repair or replacement.