Flying with Handguns in the luggage?

[Asha'man]

Couldn't you mail a carry handgun to yourself at your destination without having to deal with an FFL? I'm flying to Seattle in March and, though I probably won't bring a gun, have been thinking about how to do it if I did. I could mail myself the gun at my sister's address, right?

[KarlPMann]

Well first it would have to go UPS, USPS doesn't do handguns IIRC. But I'm not real sure if you can or can't. But maybe. Karl.

[MuzzleFlash]

Couldn't you mail a carry handgun to yourself at your destination without having to deal with an FFL? I'm flying to Seattle in March and, though I probably won't bring a gun, have been thinking about how to do it if I did. I could mail myself the gun at my sister's address, right?

Here ya go, from the horses' mouth:

(Question B9)

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b9

[KarlPMann]

(B9) 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.

Karl.

[Asha'man]

Sweet, thanks for the link. If the horse says so, it must be true!

[Pistol Packing Preacher]

Quote Asha'man:

Sweet, thanks for the link. If the horse says so, it must be true!

Is KarlPMann horsing around....?

Again!

:P

[KarlPMann]

Nope, not me, that wasn't my link. Karl.

[Hoser]

Well first it would have to go UPS, USPS doesn't do handguns IIRC. But I'm not real sure if you can or can't. But maybe. Karl.

Only FFL holders mail use the US Mail for handguns. Anyone can use the USPS for long guns.

[stove]

Gun check policy and procedures vary by carrier. For example: Alaska Air allows something like 21 lbs of ammo and didn't require that you take your bag to secondary screening last time I flew with them from SEA. A couple years ago.
There are a few airlines that do not allow you to check a firearm. I've traveled weekly for work the majority of the last 6 - 7 years and always take a handgun, if it isn't prohibited where I'm traveling to. I have never had an issue with any carrier at DIA.

[sniper7]

Last year an Atlanta ramp agent was unloading one of our planes. We had just come from a .mil marine base there they were doing sniper school. I watched her drop the case off the baggage unloader then toss it into the trailer used to haul bags.
Needless to say I ripped into her a bit about taking care of those things. The value of that gun is probably pretty close to as much as she makes a year...
she was cool and said she would be more careful. hopefully that is still the case.

all I can say is to NEVER ship your dog on the airlines. I feel sooo bad for them. they sit out by the plane sometimes in the rain, or snow, or heat, with the APU running (super loud) and it has to hurt their ears since it hurts mine.