Shipping muzzleloading rifles and pistols.

[Bow Creek Bob]

Has anyone else had trouble sending M/L rifles and pistols USPS? Our postmistress here won't except any kind of information I present to her. I hate fileing a complaint but its getting pretty intense. Any suggestions?

 

[LRB]

You should complain. ML's are considered as antiques as far as federal laws with no mail restrictions.

 

[Vaino]

Went through this same exact scenario w/ my post office. Finally had the Postmaster contact the BATFE and they faxed her the regulations asre shippiong MLers. They're not considered "firearms". She stapled these regs in the USPS regs and I haven't had any problems since. .....Fred

 

Some muzzleloaders are considered firearms by some states.

 

[Vaino]

Have shipped MLers to a few states through USPS w/o a problem.....don't think my local USPS would be aware of differing state's laws....my local Postmaster is quite content w/ the federal BATFE regs. The shipping USPS office would take preference over other state laws...how would the receiving state USPS office know what is in the package?....a moot point....Fred

 

[bubba.50]

why are you even tellin' them what yer mailin'? as long as it's nothin' illegal or hazardous there's no reason they need to know. straight from my post office person : don't have any info on the outside of the box & don't tell anything about what's inside. only problem I;ve ever had is it seems the p.o. is tryin' to recover all their losses from my little bit of shippin'. but I use'em because I got tired of tryin' to explain their own regs to the ups people. luck & have a good'en, bubba.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Yep, USPS property is Federal and not subject to local jusrisdiction. In those states it is up to the receiver of said merchandise not to order it or to use proper channels to do so....unless of course local laws offer restrictions on shipping said items and the shipper resides in that state also.....but that would be a violation of local law and not Federal. I wouldn't expect the a Postal Inspector to knocking at your door.

Now, please, if you have information to the contrary post it. I've been over this and can't find any restrictions in the postal regulations that indicate that they are subject to the whims of the constantly changing state and local legislatures.....it would be impossible for them to keep up. :shake:

Some retailers choose not to ship to states that have these restrictions. They are abiding by state or local laws and not Federal law. I don't know whether that is an agreement between these states and them, but suspect it is. Either that or they are just trying to avoid the hastle of possible litigation or bad press.

To Bow Creek Bob, you have no requirement to even tell the postal emplyee that there is an black powder arm in the packaging and they should not even be asking.

From Sect. 601 Mailability: 12.3 Legal Opinions on Mailing Firearms

Postmasters are not authorized to give opinions on the legality of any shipment of firearms. Further advice and ATF contact information is available at http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/.

Postal regulations do not allow for any identifying markings to be placed on packages containing firarms.

From the USPS Regs: 432.3 Packaging and Marking
No markings of any kind that indicate the nature of the contents may be placed on the outside wrapper or container of any mailpiece containing firearms. Mailable matter must be properly and securely packaged within the general packaging requirements in DMM 601.1”“8.

Now, I wouldn't ship to these states anyway. Have them pressure their legislature and change the law. The best way for one to avoid trouble is to error on the side of caution.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[cynthialee]

why are they asking you what you are shipping?

It ain't thier buisness.

You say "no" to the hazardous items questions, pay your postage fee and move on.

 

[tallbear]

I ship USPS all the time.I would complain,that's what I did a few years ago, that took care of it.Had one local postmaster give me a hard time.Complained one pay grade over her and the problem was taken care of.They know me now and I never have any problems.Oh and don't lie about what you're shipping,if you ever have an insurance claim it makes it much harder to collect.

 

[mooman76]

I have heard of some poeple having trouble but I have never shipped one but from what I gateher is's just lack of knowledge on their (USPS)part.

 

[cynthialee]

I have never had the post office ask me what an item was, even when insured.

 

[RedFeather]

I'm under the impression that you can ship any rifle but NOT handguns. This even extends to pellet guns. The risk you face is if the package is opened in transit, either accidentally or for inspection. I would check the regs for handguns before you try.

 

[George T.]

I have had Black Powder pistols shipped to me from individuals accross the nation with no problem at all! ship firearms to my children for the grand kids but I use UPS and they do not ask any questions at all. Geo. T.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Antique guns, including C&B pistols, are not restricted for mailing within the U.S.

From the USPS website:

DMM Revision: Mailing Firearms ”” Clarification

12.1.1 h. Antique firearm means any muzzle loading rifle/shot­gun/pistol that is designed to use black powder or a black powder substitute and that cannot use fixed am­munition (except those that incorporate a firearm frame or receiver, any firearm that is converted into a muzzle loading weapon, or any muzzle loading weapon that can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by re­placing the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combina­tion thereof); or any firearm (including those with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured on or before 1898, or any replica thereof, if such replica:

1. Is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.

2. Uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and that is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Redfeather, You really need to read the USPS regulations as you are grossly missinformed. You can mail almost any firearm through the USPS under certain circumstances.

Obviously some weapons garner more stringent restrictions than others, but can still be shipped. Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Squeeze]

Im in the red republic of New Jersey and i ship guns in and out all the time. Ups has gotten a little iffy about it, with crazy rules for different locations, but the usps has never given me any problems. just make sure you insure every shipment (usually abt $1.50 per $100 of item value. one way around shipping is just to have evrything prepackaged, and just call it "sporting goods" as opposed to "firearm"

 

[Prairieofthedog]

Bob,don't volunteer any info.The only things they have to ask is Liquid?Hazardous?Fragile?Any batteries.Go higher up and complain.

 

[RedFeather]

Thanks for setting me straight but you can put that switch you cut back into the woods. I said I was under the impression that you couldn't mail a handgun, not that it was for certain forbidden. There's nicer ways of telling someone they are misinformed.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Redfeather, Are you referring to my post?

You sound as if you think somebody called you stupid or something. Please reread my post.

I merely said you had been given very bad information that lead to your "impression" of the rules and suggested a place where you could find out the truth.....but not in so many words.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Spikebuck]

Two weeks ago I tried to ship a traditional muzzleloader via UPS and/or Fedex and was refused by both. The guy at the Pac N Mail place even called both companies to explain exactly what it was (a flintlock) and both companies still refused unless either I had an FFL or the receiver. They would absolutely not listen that these guns are not "Firearms" as defined by Federal laws. So, went to USPS and they took it no problems.