According to BATF:

Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?
A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns 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. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

And now for my personal spin.

If you send your gun (receiver) out of state to anyone for any reason get a copy of that person's FFL first and check with BATF ez-check that it is current. If they will not send you the FFL piece of paper, or if it is not current, you have no business sending them your gun. Period.

The FFL can return your gun directly back to you.


Do not send a handgun through the U.S. Mail.
Do not send a handgun through the U.S. Mail.
Do not send a handgun through the U.S. Mail.

You must tell the U.S. Mail clerk you are shipping an unloaded long gun. I take a copy of the FFL with me to the Post Office as I have on occasion been asked to show it.

Insure your shipment and with U.S. Mail pay the extra 2.00 for Signature Confirmation. This will enable you to belatedly track the shipment by the Internet.

I like to use Priority Mail.

Shipping a shotgun Priority Mail packed really well with $800 insurance and signature confirmation cost me $26.00

Last edited by Bushmaster; 03/10/10 12:57 AM.