The franchise UPS stores won't accept guns for shipping. The stores I've tried have told me this is organization-wide, not local owners' policy
That is correct from the UPS site;
http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.htmlGetting Your Firearm Shipment to UPS
Firearms (including handguns) may be shipped only through a UPS Scheduled Pickup Account (specifically, Daily Pickup, Daily On-Route Pickup, UPS Smart Pickup®, and Day-Specific Pickup), or through a UPS Customer Center (counters at UPS operational facilities).
Note: Firearms (including handguns) are not accepted for shipment via UPS Drop Boxes, UPS On-Call PickupSM, or at locations of The UPS Store® or any third party retailer. Gee I remember back when we bought guns,no pictures on the internet just descriptions,no tracking,just put a check in the mail and waited a couple weeks for it to arrive.