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USPS and B.P. Handgun
RCrosby
Member Posts: 3,808 ✭✭✭
Person in Washington state wants to send a Colt Navy B.P. to me in Maine.
Pretty sure it's not original. Most likely a Pietta or similar copy.
Can I just have it sent standard USPS, or is it one of those (Aren't all?) it depends situations.
Might FedEx or UPS simplify things?
Will be checking with P.O. on both ends, but would appreciate any first hand advice.
Thanks,
Rob
Comments
Sorry posted by mistake
Well all I can say, I have shipped several with delivery adult signature confirmation. Trying to deal with anyone except my local postmaster is well, a big pain.
Your answer is in the Domestic Mail Manual. Like the ATF, guns that are matchlock, flintlock or caplock are considered ANTIQUE firearms- including repros of the original. Yes, they are mailable. Postal Employees are forbidden from playing lawyer on mailability of a gun. DO NOT EXPECT THE GUY AT THE WINDOW TO KNOW HIS OWN REGS. I have taken rifles and shotguns to be mailed, to be told "You can't do that!" Answer is please ask your Postmaster to come out. Had one hardhead I had to call the Postal Inspection Service to deal with. FIREARMS and ANTIQUE FIREARMS are not the same thing legally.
See #1 and # 11.2, 11.3 and 11.4 at the bottom.
g. Antique firearm means any firearm (including those with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898, or any replica thereof, if such replica:
1. Is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.
2. Uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and that is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.
11.1.2 Handguns
Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person (referred to as handguns) are nonmailable unless mailed between the parties listed in 11.1.3 and 11.1.5 after the filing of an affidavit or statement required by 11.1.4 and 11.1.6.
11.1.3 Authorized Persons
Subject to 11.1.4, handguns may be mailed by a licensed manufacturer of firearms, a licensed dealer of firearms, or an authorized agent of the federal government or the government of a state, territory, or district, only when addressed to a person in one of the following categories for use in the person's official duties:
a. Officers of the Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps.
b. Officers of the National Guard or militia of a state, territory, or district.
c. Officers of the United States or of a state, territory, or district, whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
d. USPS employees authorized by the Chief Postal Inspector.
e. Officers and employees of enforcement agencies of the United States.
f. Watchmen engaged in guarding the property of the United States, a state, territory, or district.
g. Purchasing agent or other designated member of agencies employing officers and employees included in 11.1.3c. through 11.1.3e.
11.1.4 Affidavit of Addressee
Any person proposing to mail a handgun under 11.1.3 must file with the postmaster, at the time of mailing, an affidavit signed by the addressee setting forth that the addressee is qualified to receive the firearm under a particular category of 11.1.3a. through 11.1.3g, and that the firearm is intended for the addressee's official use. The affidavit must also bear a certificate stating that the firearm is for the official duty use of the addressee, signed by one of the following, as appropriate:
a. For officers of Armed Forces, by the commanding officer.
b. For officers and employees of enforcement agencies, by the head of the agency employing the addressee to perform the official duty with which the firearm is to be used.
c. For watchmen, by the chief clerk of the department, bureau, or independent branch of the government of the United States, the state, the territory, or the district by which the watchman is employed.
d. For the purchasing agent or other designated member of enforcement agencies, by the head of such agency, that the firearm is to be used by an officer or employee included in 11.1.3c. through 11.1.3e, Authorized Persons.
11.1.5 Manufacturers and Dealers
Handguns may also be mailed between licensed manufacturers of firearms and licensed dealers of firearms in customary trade shipments, or for repairing or replacing parts.
11.1.6 Certificate of Manufacturers and Dealers
A licensed manufacturer or dealer need not file the affidavit under 11.1.4, but must file with the postmaster a statement on Form 1508 signed by the mailer that he or she is a licensed manufacturer or dealer of firearms, that the parcels containing handguns (or major component parts thereof) are customary trade shipments or contain such articles for repairing or replacing parts, and that to the best of his or her knowledge or belief the addressees are licensed manufacturers or dealers of firearms.
11.1.7 FBI Crime Detection Bureaus
Handguns may be mailed without regard to 11.1.3 through 11.1.6 if:
a. Addressed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or its director, or to the scientific laboratory or crime detection bureau of any agency whose members are federal law enforcement officers or officers of a state, territory, or district authorized to serve warrants of arrest or commitment; or
b. Offered by an authorized agent of the federal government as an official shipment to any qualified addressee in categories 11.1.3a. through 11.1.3g, or to a licensed manufacturer or dealer of firearms or to a federal agency.
11.2 Antique Firearms
Antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces may be accepted for mailing without regard to 11.1.3 through 11.1.6.
11.3 Rifles and Shotguns
Although unloaded rifles and shotguns not precluded by 11.1.1e and 11.1.2 are mailable, mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968, Public Law 90-618, 18 USC 921, et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, 27 CFR 178, as well as state and local laws. The mailer may be required by the USPS to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not precluded by 11.1.1e.
11.4 Legal Opinions on Mailing Firearms
Postmasters are not authorized to give opinions on the legality of any shipment of rifles or shotguns. Contact the nearest office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for further advice.
Cabela's has shipped me multiple C&B revolvers through the mail.
Tell the guy to box it up....create a label on line, hand it to the carrier....easy peasy!
Rules are rules. But the thing to look out for is how USPS operates. Two weeks ago I shipped a package from Colorado to an address in Massachusetts. First Class, insured, with tracking. First it took 2 days to reach the Denver Distribution Center which is a 1.5 hour drive. Next, they lost it for 3 days in the DDC. When they found it, for some insane reason they sent it to Fredrick, Colorado about half way between Denver and where it started from. Then back to Denver to get lost for another 2 days. Finally it arrived at the correct destination, damaged. USPS insurance?.... nothing but a scam.
thanks for the responses, Y'all.
Most appreciated.
Rob