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USPS website error regarding handguns shipment
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Member Posts: 93 ✭✭
FYI to everyone reading this. For at least a few years, the USPS website (USPS frequently asked questions section) has stated that "Dealers and manufacturers" CAN ship handguns USPS. This is incorrect and the postal inspectors office is now aware of the error on their own website. GunBroker has always correctly advised all GB users that they cannot use USPS for shipping handguns. I can think of many times that my FFL has received handguns for my from other FFL's via USPS. I believe they thought they were doing everything correctly. I recently won an auction here and the seller used USPS. The post office delivered to the wrong address which brought all of this and their website error to light. Please pass it on, I have written to GB customer service already.
Comments
http://www.atf.gov/content/who-may-ship-handguns-through-us-postal-service
"Who may ship handguns through the U.S. Postal Service?
Federal firearm licensees may send an unloaded handgun in the mail to another FFL in customary trade shipments....."
The USPS web site also specifically states that FFL to FFL shipments of handguns are authorized.
http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm
"432.23 Manufacturers, Dealers, and Importers
Handguns may also be mailed between licensed manufacturers of firearms, licensed dealers of firearms, and licensed importers of firearms in customary trade shipments, or for repairing or replacing parts. "
If both of these sites say it is legal, what is your basis for claiming it is not? It is improbable both agencies have been misreading the law all these years.
You seem to want to find the correct answer, but having found it, don't believe it.
Here is a link to the form. http://about.usps.com/forms/ps1508.pdf
This is not an "interpretation" of a FAQ. This is the actual US Postal regulation. Scroll down to 432.21
http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm
And find out what you are talking about before trying to create a panic. It is not an 'error in their website".
Looking at your previous posts, you seem to be a little bit hung up on this question.
You seem to want to find the correct answer, but having found it, don't believe it.
He was good to go last year with the Post Office:
http://forums.GunBroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=632703
It also looks like he's had bad luck with FedEx:
I just have to sound off finally. This is the third serious issue I and my FFL have had with Fedex in the last 3 months. First I won an decent Arisaka 99 with the mum in tact and it never made it to my FFL. they claimed they delivered it but did not obtain an adult signature or even ring the door bell. Their investigator found in Fedex favor but the rifle is gone!!!
2nd, with in the last couple weeks my FFL is still waiting for a customers rifle which never got delivered. When he inquired with fedex, they claimed the shipping label fell off somewhere in transit and that rifle is now gone???
Now 3rd, I won a beautiful 1943 remington 03A3 in fantastice condition. When we opened the box at my FFL's the rifle stock is busted from the center of the steel buttplate all the way to the trigger guard on both sides. The patena was perfect, not refinished. It amazes me that the rifle survived WWII and another 70 years after but not a couple days with the goons at fedex.
I am to the point now that I won't bid or buy from a seller if they would insist on using fedex.
I wonder if you all already know what I learned thru all of this. Fedex home/office delivery drivers do NOT work directly for or are hired by fedex. instead, they are lowest bid contracts that are given a particular district or delivery area. If your wondering if I'm correct, take a look and notice next time how many of the vans just have magnetic fedex signs on them or just ask a driver.
Anyway, I needed to vent!! I'm sure there are other horror stories with other shippers but these were mine. I'll never knowingly use fedex again.
http://forums.GunBroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=622602
FYI to everyone reading this. For at least a few years, the USPS website (USPS frequently asked questions section) has stated that "Dealers and manufacturers" CAN ship handguns USPS. This is incorrect and the postal inspectors office is now aware of the error on their own website. GunBroker has always correctly advised all GB users that they cannot use USPS for shipping handguns. I can think of many times that my FFL has received handguns for my from other FFL's via USPS. I believe they thought they were doing everything correctly. I recently won an auction here and the seller used USPS. The post office delivered to the wrong address which brought all of this and their website error to light. Please pass it on, I have written to GB customer service already.
Sometimes, it just ain't worth reading the fine print [;)]
This is what the law states for NON Licensees (ie someone without an FFL)....
"(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U. S. Postal Service?
A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. A nonlicensee may not transfer any firearm to a nonlicensed resident of another state. The Postal Service recommends that longguns 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.
[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]
"
A licensee may use use USPS to send a handgun to another FFL as directed in the USPS regulations.
Get it? Got it? Good.