If you are planning to ship a firearm, it is important to know the guidelines surrounding how to ship a firearm as well as the paperwork necessary. Due to obvious reasons, firearms need to be packaged carefully and responsibly, to keep both yourself and others safe during shipping. We’ve compiled some helpful guidelines and things to know when packing and shipping a firearm.
Federal Firearm License
The United States requires a Federal Firearm License, or FFL for short, for all dealers and/or individuals who want to sell, manufacture, import, repair, or handle firearms in any form. Anyone with a valid FFL is able to ship to other dealers or individuals in compliance with the rules and regulations of The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (www.Fedex.com)
What If I Don’t Have A Federal Firearm License?
Anyone who wishes to ship a firearm without an FFL can only legally do so if shipping to a FFL business or FFL holder (www.Fedex.com). The recipient will also be required to complete all necessary forms as well as pass a NICS background check. A non licensee cannot ship directly to another person without an FFL.
Preparing A Firearm For Shipment
When prepping a firearm for shipment, it is mandatory to make sure all rules are followed in order for the firearm to be shipped safely and securely. Follow the guidelines below when preparing a firearm for shipment.
Make Sure All Ammunition Is Removed
Firearms cannot be legally shipped with ammunition for safety reasons. Remove all ammunition before packaging the firearm and double check that the gun’s safety is turned on.
Secure The Firearm Inside A Case
Any firearm that is going to be shipped should be secured in a case that does not allow the firearm any movement during the shipping process. Once the firearm is secured, then package it in a standard cardboard shipping box without putting any sort of identifying markers that allow anyone to know that a firearm is inside.
Pack All Firearms Yourself
The majority of commercial shipping companies cannot allow their employees to pack firearms, again for safety reasons. While many of these companies offer the supplies you will need to pack the firearm, you’ll still need to be sure and pack it yourself.
If you have any questions or concerns about how to ship a firearm, be sure to contact the company you plan on using for shipping to ensure that you are compliant both from a legal standpoint as well as with their policies.