Shipping a firearm out of state

[TresMonos]

I find I need to ship a firearm to a FFL TN for a private sale.....anyone used FedEx Overnight to ship a firearm? I used to do it in GA but wondering if the FedEx office in CO will take an evil black handgun for overnight shipping.....

Alternately, if anyone knows of a goof FFL that will do outbound shipping in the Aurora/Centennial/Parker area. let me know....

[Bailey Guns]

If you don't need to use an FFL just box up the gun and print your label at home. Then just drop the package with FedEx. Last time I did that I don't recall the online process asking me what was in the package. I've never been asked what I'm shipping by anyone when I pre-print labels and just drop them off. You can even just give it to a driver.

[Zundfolge]

Its my understanding that you have to go to a main FedEx office, not a satellite (or "FedEx Kinko's" location). Also you might check with the receiving FFL in TN to make sure that TN law doesn't require handguns to go FFL to FFL (probably not, but best to be safe). Also I think it's federal law that requires you to inform the shipper that the box contains a gun, so if you don't tell them I think it might be a crime (or at the very least might be a pretext for them not to honor any insurance of the shipment should it get lost).

Now one advantage of going through an FFL is that I believe they have some shipping options that us mere mortals aren't allowed to use (we've got to go overnight) so even with an FFL fee, shipping a handgun from FFL to FFL might be cheaper.

Last time I shipped a handgun myself, it was close to $100 shipping.

[TresMonos]

FedEx does require all weapons to be shipped overnight from the hub....no satellite locations will accept a gun....it's not a "law" pre-se but a policy. A FFL can use USPS Priority where an average Joe cannot.....these things I have experience with from GA.

The FFL in TN will accept from an individual, I called and checked so I am good if I decide to go the FexEx route but as mentioned, they are usually more expensive than a FFL using USPS Priority.

Anyone know a dependable FFL that will ship for me on my side of town?

[FoxtArt]

Here's the lay of it, tersely:

Always ask the FFL first. Don't just mail guns direct.

If it's a handgun shipping to an FFL, you have to ship it overnight through fedex or UPS. It will be cheaper to go through a dealer who can ship it first-class through USPS.
If it's a rifle shipping to a FFL, you can send it as a regular parcel through Fedex or UPS, and it will be cheaper to do that then it is to use a dealer.

If you're shipping to a manufacturer or gunsmith (who has a FFL), or to yourself (vacationing in Montana?) you can also ship it directly to them (or yourself) subject to the above. Anyone else, it has to be through an FFL.

The UPS store and similar shipping places are contract companies, they are NOT "UPS' or "Fedex" and are not by law permitted to take receipt of firearms. That is why you have to go to "the hub". They will take it, no problem.