Shipping a long gun to yourself in CO from another state?

[th3w01f]

I have a quick question but I'm not finding a clear answer.

A friend of my has been given two firearms by a parent in TN that is moving into a retirement home, they would like to ship the firearms back to CO. The FFL in TN is saying that they have to go through an FFL in CO. I believe this is true since they reside in different states but given that the firearms are a gift from a parent I'm not 100% sure.

I know about the law around bequests or succession but that doesn't apply here.

Would the parent be able to ship them directly to the FFL in CO and avoid paying the FFL in TN to ship?

Any advice is appreciated.

[hurley842002]

Yes, if the CO FFL is willing.

If they are, parents should photocopy their drivers license, and write the firearm information on that photocopy (make, model, serial, caliber, type) and sign it. Then include that in the box.

That said, the only way parents could ship handguns that way is by fedex/ups air at the hub. Which is expensive. So handguns are actually cheaper FFL to FFL (usually). Long guns are cheaper Person to FFL but ASK FIRST.

So the cost comes down to "what are they shipping".
Sorry to take it off topic, but what is the difference in shipping a handgun price wise, from an FFL vs from a person to FFL? May be shipping a pistol soon, and i'd like the cheapest option.

[Great-Kazoo]

Sorry to take it off topic, but what is the difference in shipping a handgun price wise, from an FFL vs from a person to FFL? May be shipping a pistol soon, and i'd like the cheapest option.

Handguns require Overnight shipping. Plus most if not all FFL require a hand gun to come from another FFL. Not all, however most i've dealt with want a hand gun to come from an FFL.

https://www.atf.gov/content/firearms-frequently-asked-questions-unlicensed-persons#shipping-firearms-carrier

Yes, as a non-licensee you can ship a pistol out of state, but ONLY to a licensed dealer. The BATFE states, “In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.”

[Teufelhund]

I got my first breakover .410 when I was 8. I got a pump 12ga when I was 14; both when Dad felt I was ready. Dad bought them and gave them to me as gifts. I grew up in Texas, and when I moved to a different state I packed up my guns and took them with me.

So how is this different? I'm genuinely curious why you can't just put them in the car and drive them home to CO.

[th3w01f]

I got my first breakover .410 when I was 8. I got a pump 12ga when I was 14; both when Dad felt I was ready. Dad bought them and gave them to me as gifts. I grew up in Texas, and when I moved to a different state I packed up my guns and took them with me.

So how is this different? I'm genuinely curious why you can't just put them in the car and drive them home to CO.

I believe it has to do to transferring a firearm to a private party residing in another state. If you already own it you can move with it or even ship it back to your house (I believe). You can also buy a long gun from a dealer in another state but since this is private parties on both sides it's a bit different.

The part that had me confused as that it's a parent... if they had died it looks like it would be easier. :)

[Wulf202]

Its a gift of a gun. Just send it to yourself via fedex follow their shipping rules or just bring it back in the car
tn has no ubc law. Interstate transport of fire arms federal regs if you're driving thru a ban state.

[SAnd]

Who owns the guns? The parent gave the guns to the son. It sounds like the son owns the guns, not the parent. If the son owns the guns then it's a matter of the owner transporting the guns himself.

[hurley842002]

. So handguns are actually cheaper FFL to FFL (usually).

I guess this is the part I was wondering about.

[Teufelhund]

I believe it has to do to transferring a firearm to a private party residing in another state. If you already own it you can move with it or even ship it back to your house (I believe). You can also buy a long gun from a dealer in another state but since this is private parties on both sides it's a bit different.

The part that had me confused as that it's a parent... if they had died it looks like it would be easier. :)

Ok, so maybe the difference is the state of residence of the owner then? So if my Dad, who still lives in Texas, gave me a gun as a gift today, I would have to ship it to CO through an FFL because CO is my state of residence? Man, that's some convoluted BS.

Sorry if I derailed your thread, man.

[Great-Kazoo]

I guess this is the part I was wondering about.

Yes it's cheaper & less hassle. drop off hand gun with all info for shipping, pay and leave

[hurley842002]

Yes it's cheaper & less hassle. drop off hand gun with all info for shipping, pay and leave
Thanks, that's what I was wondering.

[2XS]

Or you can do what I did fly back home with an empty case loaded my gun that was a gift checked the case on the way back all done no hassle of shipping etc. I highly recommend a pelican case it came through the whole deall with fly colors no issues.

[th3w01f]

Who owns the guns? The parent gave the guns to the son. It sounds like the son owns the guns, not the parent. If the son owns the guns then it's a matter of the owner transporting the guns himself.

I think that's the crux of my question, under Fed law can a parent (or anyone) legally gift a firearm to someone else who resides in another state. It doesn't appear you can sell one to someone from another state, regardless of which state you or they live in.

The state in question in TN so not one of the super strict states.

[CO Hugh]

Sounds like it would be easier if they were lost in the lake in a boating accident. Then the salvaged parts could be shipped anyway you want.

Bureaucracy!!! This is why background checks should be abolished!! (will never happen due to neurotic moms).

[2XS]

I think that's the crux of my question, under Fed law can a parent (or anyone) legally gift a firearm to someone else who resides in another state. It doesn't appear you can sell one to someone from another state, regardless of which state you or they live in.

The state in question in TN so not one of the super strict states.


I don't see an issues with it I have had several guns given to me no paperwork or background check ever in other states. I guess your buddy needs to check the state law by maybe calling the state police and just asking chances are good there is no issues with it.

[Great-Kazoo]

I don't see an issues with it I have had several guns given to me no paperwork or background check ever in other states. I guess your buddy needs to check the state law by maybe calling the state police and just asking chances are good there is no issues with it.

INTERSTATE means following Federal Guidelines for transfer of a firearm. Asking an LE what the federal law is an exercise in futility, based on past experiences with Local LE / federal laws. They will "guess" and or recommend you contact the feds /ATF .

[th3w01f]

LOL, I called the ATF and they weren't entirely sure either, they suggested FFL to FFL just to make sure no laws are broken. :)

[kidicarus13]

LOL, I called the ATF and they weren't entirely sure either, they suggested FFL to FFL just to make sure no laws are broken. :)
Imagine that. A fed gov agency suggesting the most expensive, most inconvenient way of all the ways suggested even though they admitted they weren't 100% sure. F that noise!

[The Rat]

I mailed my own guns from myself, to myself, from Alaska where I was stationed, back home. Went straight through USPS. It was something absurd like 10 long guns at the time, and I ended up paying like $300 in shipping based on weight/bulk. No transfer of ownership, so it's legal.