transporting firearms from state to state: Q

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SkinnyJoe

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Can I legally mail a handgun which I legally own to myself in a different state, for the purposes of visiting that state?

I am aware that I can declare it at the airport as checked-in luggage, but I am wondering if above method is cheaper.

Thanks
 
SkinnyJoe said:
Can I legally mail a handgun which I legally own to myself in a different state, for the purposes of visiting that state?

I am aware that I can declare it at the airport as checked-in luggage, but I am wondering if above method is cheaper.

Thanks
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i would check the ATF web page and email someone there. i wouldnt ask these folks :D
 
You can use a carrier like UPS to ship it to yourself. USPS is a no-no. I know of people attending gun classes who have done this and shipped it to themselves at the hotel they were staying in.
 
SkinnyJoe said:
It's probably better to show it to the monkeys at the airport...
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The "monkeys at the airport" don't even want to see it. The clerk at the ticket counter will ask you a few questions, is it loaded, is your bag hard-sided and locked, etc., and then issue you a special tag. They will instruct you to apply the tag to the gun (not to the bag) and then lock the bag before submitting it. If your airport requires you to submit your bag to TSA yourself, be sure to tell the TSA agent that the bag contains a firearm when you submit it. It's simple and easy.

Of course, most airlines are now charging for checked baggage.
 
TLR said:
You can use a carrier like UPS to ship it to yourself. USPS is a no-no. I know of people attending gun classes who have done this and shipped it to themselves at the hotel they were staying in.
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I'm pretty sure only a FFL holder can ship a handgun (at least legally.)
 
Gollnick said:
The "monkeys at the airport" don't even want to see it. The clerk at the ticket counter will ask you a few questions, is it loaded, is your bag hard-sided and locked, etc., and then issue you a special tag. They will instruct you to apply the tag to the gun (not to the bag) and then lock the bag before submitting it. If your airport requires you to submit your bag to TSA yourself, be sure to tell the TSA agent that the bag contains a firearm when you submit it. It's simple and easy.

Of course, most airlines are now charging for checked baggage.
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By monkeys I meant airline clerks. I never see any TSA people down at the check-in counters, so I am guessing they're not involved. Did see a couple of signs mentioning firearms. Hopefully not too expensive of a project. 15-20 bucks one way? So, when I lock the box (and presumably take the key with me?) with the pistola, nobody but me can access it until I land?
What's the protocol for ammunition?
 
Ammo varies by airline. Some permit none. Others permit a limited amount. Check your airline's website.

In some airports, the airline ticket agent will check you in and then put a check tag on you luggage and instruct you to shlep your bag to a TSA check point to submit it for inspection. In other airports, the airline ticket agent will take your bag from you and forward it to the TSA for inspection without further effort on your part. If you are flying first class, the ticket agent usually takes your bag or at least summons a skycap to carry it to the inspection point for you.

No major airport has been built in the US in the TSA-Era. So, no airport in the US is designed architecturally to accommodate the TSA inspection of checked baggage. Each airport has had to figure out how to cobble up improvised procedures to shoehorn the TSA into its originally-designed flow. What they came up with necessarily varies from airport to airport. Here in Portland, at PDX, for example, the airport has an elaborate system of conveyers that were part of the original design and which used to efficiently move all of the baggage from the ticket counters to the sorting area. That system now sits idle. Passengers shlep the bags to the TSA inspection areas. After inspection, porters with carts manually move haul the bags to the aircraft.
 
SkinnyJoe said:
Can I legally mail a handgun which I legally own to myself in a different state, for the purposes of visiting that state?
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Straight from the ATF website:
Q: May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity?

Yes. A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the State where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.
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http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/unlicensed-persons.html

As others have said use UPS or FedEx - USPS rules make it nearly impossible to ship a handgun.
 
Gollnick said:
Ammo varies by airline. Some permit none. Others permit a limited amount. Check your airline's website.

In some airports, the airline ticket agent will check you in and then put a check tag on you luggage and instruct you to shlep your bag to a TSA check point to submit it for inspection. In other airports, the airline ticket agent will take your bag from you and forward it to the TSA for inspection without further effort on your part. If you are flying first class, the ticket agent usually takes your bag or at least summons a skycap to carry it to the inspection point for you.

No major airport has been built in the US in the TSA-Era. So, no airport in the US is designed architecturally to accommodate the TSA inspection of checked baggage. Each airport has had to figure out how to cobble up improvised procedures to shoehorn the TSA into its originally-designed flow. What they came up with necessarily varies from airport to airport. Here in Portland, at PDX, for example, the airport has an elaborate system of conveyers that were part of the original design and which used to efficiently move all of the baggage from the ticket counters to the sorting area. That system now sits idle. Passengers shlep the bags to the TSA inspection areas. After inspection, porters with carts manually move haul the bags to the aircraft.
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So no matter the set-up, a TSA person has to see the handgun? or handle it as well? Can I be present for this? OR, are they inspecting the closed and locked container?
 
BlackHills said:
Straight from the ATF website: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/unlicensed-persons.html

As others have said use UPS or FedEx - USPS rules make it nearly impossible to ship a handgun.
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Very interesting. I am assuming that's current. Good work, I found no such info earlier today.

Now, do Fedex and UPS people ask or have to know that it's a firearm being shipped? Do they inspect it to make sure it's empty (which is not unreasonable)? I am assuming insurance is a must when shipping such items.
 
Shipping a handgun by UPS or FedEx is very expensive. They say that it has to be sent Next Day Air. You could ship it 2nd Day Air, but if it gets lost or damaged, the carrier will not cover it. Typically, an individual may not mail a handgun.

The firearms referred to on the ATF site are long guns. They say quite clearly that an individual may not mail a handgun.
 
UffDa said:
Shipping a handgun by UPS or FedEx is very expensive. They say that it has to be sent Next Day Air. You could ship it 2nd Day Air, but if it gets lost or damaged, the carrier will not cover it. Typically, an individual may not mail a handgun.

The firearms referred to on the ATF site are long guns. They say quite clearly that an individual may not mail a handgun.
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Thanks for clarifying that for us. :)

So, the airport route it is..
 
You may always elect to be present when the TSA inspects your luggage. Just ask. Sometimes, an airline ticket agent will say no. That person is either misinformed or simply doesn't want the hassle of arranging that special inspection. Ask for a supervisor and they typically relent quickly. Once the TSA has inspected your bag; you may lock it with whatever lock you like.
 
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