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Mailing handgun frames
IrisM
Member Posts: 60 ✭✭
Hello all.
It is my understanding that an unlicensed individual may not ship a handgun in the U.S. mail. My question is whether that same unlicensed person can legally mail a pistol receiver or frame? Is this a USPS rule, or a BATF policy or both?
Thanks!
vr,
"IrisM"
It is my understanding that an unlicensed individual may not ship a handgun in the U.S. mail. My question is whether that same unlicensed person can legally mail a pistol receiver or frame? Is this a USPS rule, or a BATF policy or both?
Thanks!
vr,
"IrisM"
Comments
http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm
What firearm are you contemplating?
Hello all.
It is my understanding that an unlicensed individual may not ship a handgun in the U.S. mail. My question is whether that same unlicensed person can legally mail a pistol receiver or frame? Is this a USPS rule, or a BATF policy or both?
Thanks!
vr,
"IrisM"
Fortunately, GunBroker.com has the answer in writing on its website:
quote:
http://www.GunBroker.com/Support/SupportFAQView.aspx?FAQID=1118&NoCount=1
(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)]
As already mentioned an unlicensed person cannot legally ship HANDGUNS via US Postal mail because of Federal law.
On the question of frames, since the gun frame is legally the firearm, this applies to stripped down frames as well. So no, you can't legally ship a stripped handgun receiver via US Postal mail without an FFL. There are a FEW caveats:
1. Antique firearms aren't legally speaking firearms, so you can ship black powder guns, or pre-1899 manufacture handguns via US postal mail without violating FEDERAL law. **STATE** law may still prohibit this.
2. A C&R FFL is still a Federal firearms license, and if you have one, you can ship C&R handguns via US mail (with appropriate stipulations).
3. INCOMPLETE receivers (ie "80%") receivers are, legally speaking, the same as gun parts. . .they're not guns and again you can legally ship them anywhere you like.
Edit:
quote:Originally posted by 5mmgunguy
IrisM. It is law. Nothing with a serial number can be mailed by an unlicensed individual. An unlicensed individual can use only next day UPS or next day FedEx and then only to send it to an FFL holder. UPS and Fed EX will always ask to see the FFL's license to check the address. At least my do.
Well, you're right that mailing firearms is restricted, but the restriction doesn't really come down to serial numbers.
Not to belabor the obvious, but some handguns that aren't legally speaking firearms do have serial numbers, and still can be sent via US postal mail.
For example, high end air-pistols often have serial numbers. Modern black powder revolvers typically carry serial numbers. Even many pre-1899 handguns do too (for example, original Colt 1873 Single Action Army revolvers are serial numbered). Believe it or not, many AIRSOFT pistols (these are basically plastic spring guns that shoot lightweight plastic pellets) have serial numbers on them. . .its a legal requirement in JAPAN.
Also, in *certain* cases you are legally allowed to ship normal serial numbered LONGARMS via US postal mail without an FFL. The exceptions are detailed in the GB.com link above.