i have seen several threads on mailing handguns and they have indicated that usps will do it from private home to manufacturer for warranty purposes... i went down to the post office and they said no way,, have to be ffl... is this correct????
The Post Office doesn't allow firearms or ammunition to be mailed. UPS or FedEx are your choices. You may have to ship overnight as well, call them and check.
You can go to the Domestic Mail Manual on line and look it up- However- A private citizen CAN mail a RIFLE or SHOTGUN to a FFL, or to a manufacturer for repair, and have it returned to him. It MUST be going to a FFL if crossing a state line. You CAN mail a rifle or shotgun to yourself at another address (say for hunting trip out of state). You can also mail a rifle or shotgun to a non-FFL if you are both in the same state Live ammunition is not mailable. Period. Brass can be mailed. HANDGUNS may not be mailed EXCEPT by a FFL DEALER or MANUFACTURER. I am an 03 FFL (Collector) and I cannot mail a handgun. When a handgun IS mailed, a Form 1508 must be completed at the post office, attesting to the RESTRICTED MAILING. Non-FFL folks may SHIP a handgun by common carrier (UPS or FedEx). THEY require that you use next day air. Since that will run you about $65 for the average handgun, you may be much better off to find an 01 Dealer, and pay HIM to mail it for you- he can legally use a flat rate mailing box in the US Mail. For anyone that figures they will play "Don't ask-don't tell" with the Post Office- please remember- The US Postal Inspection Service has the highest conviction rate of any Federal Law Enforcement agency.
