No, you can't ship black powder pistols or handguns via the USPS.

[Tumbledown]

The OP quoted USPS Regs, updated just this past February. I don't think he's spreading BS. I *do* think a good many people here are ignorant to recent changes and refuse to accept them.

The fact is, several states have redefined "firearms" to stricter definitions than the BATFE. The USPS is simply altering its regs to comply with those states.

 

[ormond tony]

IMO: I think each of the three sections need to be considered separately. IMO: BP revolvers cannot be 'concealed' in the current accepted definition of 'concealed carry' (I don't think you can conceal a LeMat or a 1st dragoon; your pants would fall down).
I say this because if you consider rules and regulations as combinations, the left can say the 2nd amendment should be changed because it may affect the unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness for all citizens.(if you catch my drift.)

 

[64Springer]

The OP quoted USPS Regs, updated just this past February. I don't think he's spreading BS. I *do* think a good many people here are ignorant to recent changes and refuse to accept them.

The fact is, several states have redefined "firearms" to stricter definitions than the BATFE. The USPS is simply altering its regs to comply with those states.

Yup!

Like molded plastic that can be transformed into a short barreled rifle when placed against the shoulder.

The magic of modern science.


As for the USPS, we have this strange concept in America....That which is not expressly called out as ILLEGAL is LEGAL.

If shipping black powder revolvers is illegal, then let the USPS call that out specifically.

Until they do that, it's still legal to do so.

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

There's a difference between what is legal and what the usps uses for it's regulations. The usps doesn't arrest people, they just refuse to ship certain things.
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness isn't in the constitution, it's in the declaration of independence. The constitution is law, the other isn't.

 

[#BPBReloadingFFL]

I was a mailman for 26 years. As you see the DMM rule antique friearms, pre 1898 rules, including reproductions. If you convert a revolver to fire cartridges, then you can't! There are a lot of stupid postmasters out there that don't understand!

Nit Wit

^^^^^^^ True

I'm using the word gun as a generic.

The problem is guys walk into the shipping agents store and announce they are shipping a gun.

I've seen it happen.
I was shipping a rifle, the clerk looked at me and rolled her eyes.

At the post office they ask a few questions. None of those questions ask if it a gun.

UPS and FedEx store clerk may ask what it is. You don't have to tell them.

Don't be stupid. Pack, Pay, Print & Ship.

I've explain on this here forum how to ship at least a dozen times.

If some of you spend as much time shooting as arguing the ranges would be full 24/7/365.

 

[#BPBReloadingFFL]

I believe FFL holders can ship handguns through the USPS.

Yes we can

 

[Tumbledown]

Yup!

Like molded plastic that can be transformed into a short barreled rifle when placed against the shoulder.

The magic of modern science.


As for the USPS, we have this strange concept in America....That which is not expressly called out as ILLEGAL is LEGAL.

If shipping black powder revolvers is illegal, then let the USPS call that out specifically.

Until they do that, it's still legal to do so.

Shipping handguns via USPS is illegal by US Code. The USPS has defined what it considers handguns, which includes antique black powder handguns.

Therefore, shipping a BP revolver is indeed illegal. It's all right there in the OP.

 

[trackpin]

Many rules and laws are unenforceable, enacted to make some members of society feel warm and cozy inside. Like purchasing a permit to change out your kitchen faucet, don't get caught doing that without that plumbing permit. Indeed, certain encumbrances are intentionally put into place for no other reason than to make certain members of society suffer hardship due to their interests or needs. It is not only shipping regulations, BUT The BS is ALSO creeping into everything.

 

[R Ellis]

Antique and black powder are not necessarily the same it can be antique and fire from a cartridge with a load of black powder or smokeless powder and be antique not the same as a black powder pistol

 

[necchi]

and speak to your postmaster.

I have been trying to speak to my local district Postmaster for over a decade.
It's like the person is completely incognito,, the "public" are simply NOT allowed to speak with a Postmaster!.
Try it! The counter clerk is NOT the Postmaster, your delivery person is NOT the Postmaster,, and neither will tell you the name of or whereabouts to contact the Postmaster!
Honest! Try it!

 

[leadhoarder]

I have been trying to speak to my local district Postmaster for over a decade.
It's like the person is completely incognito,, the "public" are simply NOT allowed to speak with a Postmaster!.
Try it! The counter clerk is NOT the Postmaster, your delivery person is NOT the Postmaster,, and neither will tell you the name of or whereabouts to contact the Postmaster!
Honest! Try it!

Just refuse to take delivery of your mail.

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

I was a mailman for 26 years. As you see the DMM rule antique friearms, pre 1898 rules, including reproductions. If you convert a revolver to fire cartridges, then you can't! There are a lot of stupid postmasters out there that don't understand!

Nit Wit

I was a city carrier for 26.5 years and shipped at least 3 BP guns during that time era.
The business shipped back 2 of them - no problems at all.

 

[user 31257]

I have been trying to speak to my local district Postmaster for over a decade.
It's like the person is completely incognito,, the "public" are simply NOT allowed to speak with a Postmaster!.
Try it! The counter clerk is NOT the Postmaster, your delivery person is NOT the Postmaster,, and neither will tell you the name of or whereabouts to contact the Postmaster!
Honest! Try it!

I see the postmaster at my small town post office all the time. He even occasionally fills in at the counter.

 

[Old army]

Over here in Aus we can send firearms between licensed people(or not) through our postal system within our own state. If I want to send a firearm interstate then it has to be Dealer to Dealer. We cannot send powder or primers through the system, pick up only. I technically can’t drive across the border and give my firearm to a dealer, it has to go onto the dealer in my state and then transferred to theirs, you get into trouble( trust me) I did. And FedEx will NOT ship firearms or parts at all. If a US company sends me a cleaning rod or a brush, FedEx will send it back. I had a set of grips sent from a company, got all the way here and sent back. Cheers to the company who sucked up the cost to resend with someone else

 

[Splitear]

I shipped a rifle the other day and the clerk (nice guy) nonchalantly asked, “What do we have going to Alabama?” I said “This box and what’s inside it.” He just laughed and said “fair enough”. I’ve never had an issue with shipping, but I don’t make it an issue either.

 

[nkbj]

Guys, examine the definitions within the regs. If the regs defined a percussion revolver as a kumquat then for the purposes of the prohibitions within the regs it's a kumquat no matter what you think of it.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I was a city carrier for 26.5 years and shipped at least 3 BP guns during that time era.
The business shipped back 2 of them - no problems at all.

AH but this is a change from February 2023... were any of those BP Guns shipped or received after February 2023?



Folks,

These aren't the only regulations that have changed, quietly, this year. The other changes don't deal with firearms, but they do impact Americans.

We shall have to wait and see if the USPS enforces this rule change or not. Debating if the definitions are correct, or if shipping has worked "in the past" is a moot point. There has been a change....,

LD

 

[Appowner]

What's needed here are some English comprehension skills.

 

[flconch53]

I ship a fair amount of stuff USPS. They only ask if is liquid, fragile , or perishable. Don't volunteer more info. Some people just like to worry about nonexistent probelms or cause them for everyone else.

 

[user 31257]

I ship a fair amount of stuff USPS. They only ask if is liquid, fragile , or perishable. Don't volunteer more info. Some people just like to worry about nonexistent probelms or cause them for everyone else.

I think “potentially hazardous” is also in there, though I’m not sure how that’s defined.