Best way to ship/transport firearms?

**Aurelius95** · 01-28-2009, 09:08 PM

My dad has some .22 rifles and a shotgun that he wants me to have. My folks live in NY and I am in Georgia. They are driving through here next week on their way to FL. I thought he could just load them in the SUV and bring them here. But then, I remembered that every state they drive through has different laws regarding firearms. Would it be best for him to just ship them to me? If so, how does one ship firearms through the mail/UPS/FedEx, etc.?

Any insight at all will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

**crashdive123** · 01-28-2009, 09:12 PM

If it was me, I would pack em away in the vehicle and bring them. If you are concerned about that method, the only legal way I am aware of for shipping them would be for your dad to take them to a licensed firearms dealer, who would ship them to a licensed firearms dealer near you. That will cost you $$$ on each end, per weapon. I'm not sure what the cost is, but I think somebody posted $75 on each end, per weapon. Like I said, I'd pack em and drive em.

**doug1980** · 01-28-2009, 09:14 PM

Yeah drive them. Shipping them would be way to complicated and expensive. I just tried to do that myself.

**Sourdough** · 01-28-2009, 09:34 PM

Unless you have handguns and they are stopping over in Washington D.C. it should be no worries to drive them across state line. That assumes your dad is not a felon......?

**klkak** · 01-28-2009, 11:22 PM

Just box them up and take them to "Fedex". It is perfectly legal to ship personal firearms. I've done it several times. I've Fedex'd my guns between Arkansas, California, Washington and Alaska.

This is from Fedex.

Firearms

A. FedEx Express will transport and deliver firearms as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, between areas served in the U.S., but only between:

1. Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof; or

2. Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).

B. If your shipment contains firearms, select the Direct Signature Required or Adult Signature Required Delivery Signature Option, depending on the requirements of your shipment. See the Delivery Signature Options section for details. Firearms shipments are not eligible for signature release or indirect delivery.

C. Firearms must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight service. FedEx Express cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D. Firearms shipments cannot be placed in a FedEx Express Drop Box.

D. Upon presenting the package for shipment, the person tendering the shipment to FedEx Express is required to notify FedEx Express that the package contains a firearm. The outside of the package must not be marked, labeled or otherwise identify that the package contains a firearm.

E. The shipper and recipient must be of legal age as identified by applicable law.

F. The shipper and recipient are required to comply with all applicable government regulations and laws, including those pertaining to labeling. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can provide assistance.

G. FedEx Express will transport ammunition when packed and labeled in compliance with local, state and federal law, and the Dangerous Goods section of this Service Guide. Ammunition is an explosive and must be shipped separately as dangerous goods. You agree not to ship loaded firearms or firearms with ammunition in the same package.

http://www.fedex.com/us/services/terms/us.html#firearms

This is from the "BATF"

A nonlicensee may ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity. A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the state where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.

http://www.fega.com/members/batf.html

Have grandpa address it to himself in care of you.

**Aurelius95** · 01-29-2009, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by hopeak

Unless you have handguns and they are stopping over in Washington D.C. it should be no worries to drive them across state line. That assumes your dad is not a felon......?

Unless there's something I don't know about him, I'm pretty sure he's squeaky clean.

I'll keep that in mind, though!

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll have him drive them down. I appreciate the help.

**RBB** · 01-29-2009, 01:56 PM

I don't think you'll go far wrong to bring them in the trunk of the vehicle, unloaded, and cased. If you are really paranoid, you could partially dismantle them (take the bolt out of blot action rifles - remove any magazines, etc.).

Federal law states - according to Wikipedia:

"Notwithstanding any state or local law, a person shall be entitled to transport a firearm from any place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm if the firearm is unloaded and in a locked container. In vehicles without a locked container, the unloaded firearm shall be in a locked box other than the glove compartment or console."

This is even true on airlines - as long as the firearm is unloaded and is in a locked container and is checked with your baggage and not in your carry on luggage.

**trax** · 01-29-2009, 06:49 PM

Well what everyone has said seems to make sense to me. But I was thinking, if your Dad is a felon that could be a plus, he probably knows more creative ways to stash a gun than anyone here does (or anyone here will admit to)