Anyone ship a handgun recently?

[tbrady]

I just shipped a handgun to the east coast and it cost me a frickin $100 via UPS next day air.  That's the last time I sell a pistol on GunBroker.  Do FFLs have to use next day air when shipping to another FFL?

[magnanimous_j]

Do FFLs have to use next day air when shipping to another FFL?

The last gun I ordered online was delivered to my FFL ground.

[JimmyHoffa]

The handguns I've done in the past all had to go next day, but long guns were allowed to go ground.

[jackelope]

@carpsniperg2  or @cardinalguns  might be able to answer best. They're both FFL holders. I'm sure there are others as well.
 

[b23]

I could be wrong, if so someone knows for sure please correct me, but I don't believe there's any "law" that requires handguns to be shipped overnight or 2nd day air but I believe it is a business practice UPS and FedEx has adopted as their own rule.  Also, remember, you can't ship handguns through USPS, only long guns.

[boneaddict]

Its at least UPS policy

"Handguns, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 921, will be accepted for transportation only via UPS Next Day Air Services, specifically, UPS Next Day Air® Early, UPS Next Day Air®, and UPS Next Day Air Saver®. (Note: UPS Express Critical™ Service is not available for firearms)."

[syoungs]

FFL's operate under a slightly different rule set when shipping firearms then the general public. UPS and FEDEX demand that shipping time frame to help protect from lost and stolen firearms, yet for some reason FFL's can ship via ground between themselves.

I have heard of paying an FFL to ship to another FFL, as it doesn't have to go under the stringent rules. at least that was an option when I had to send a Taurus down to Miami to get worked on last year.

[Igor]

That's why I ALWAYS ship handguns thru an FFL.  The FFL I use in Lynnwood, WA, sends them via USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail.  They often fit in a medium size flat rate box, which is around $12.  Insurance on top of that drives the cost up, but I have never come close to paying $100 on a handgun.  And I have sold, and shipped, many handguns on GunBroker.  When they go via USPS there is no next day requirement.

[quadrafire]

Interesting.
Be hard to make a profit selling a firearm with $100 shipping.

[carpsniperg2]

I don’t talk legality, as I am not a lawyer. However my understanding is the same that gun broker posts, so here is there writing on the subject.

[Igor]

I don’t talk legality, as I am not a lawyer. However my understanding is the same that gun broker posts, so here is there writing on the subject.

And that is exactly why you use an FFL to ship a handgun via the USPS for you.

[cardinalguns]

As mentioned above, there is federal law and there is company policy. Federal law allows a non-licensed person to send a handgun to an FFL or gunsmith/ manufacturer. Company policy is what results in these tremendous charges. If you ship your pistol to Springfield for repairs or warranty, a phone call will usually result in a pre-paid label being emailed to you. You can also receive that pistol (but only from a manufacturer or gunsmith to whom you sent it!) at your home address. Same goes for long guns.

FFL's usually have a few accounts with the shipping companies, which result in lowered costs. Account holders get better rates.

FFL's are allowed to ship handguns via USPS, but there are caveats with the post office as well. I recently sent a Smith & Wesson Model 57 to Indiana via Large Flat Rate box (USPS), and it cost me $35 due to insurance and signature services. I filed what is called a Form 1058 with the USPS and dropped it at the Post Office. No, it doesn't have to have the firing pin removed. Nor does it have to be declared as a firearm by marking the box (it's forbidden). More detail can be found here:

https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm

The problem a lot of people create for themselves is trusting the employees at the post office, or UPS, or FedEx to know the law and company policy all at the same time. You have to do your homework and sometimes have the paper to prove it. I have had to educate many an employee on their own company rules. If you ship enough guns, you will end up doing the same!

An FFL can ship that handgun you sold online for you at a rate lower than $100. As an example, I charge $25 plus actual shipping. If I use USPS, the total is around $50-70, not $100. Still high, but 30 bucks saved is 30 bucks in your pocket.

[b23]

And to add just a bit of a side not, it's always a good idea to do your homework and know what's legal to ship and what is not.  I know someone that shipped loaded ammunition through the USPS because they asked the mail person working the counter if it was "ok" to ship bullets, which it is, but what they really meant to ask is if it was ok to mail loaded ammunition, which is not, when using USPS.