
Shipping Class Iii Weapons
#1
Posted 13 April 2004 - 08:58 PM
Thanks in advance. Tom
#2
Posted 13 April 2004 - 09:14 PM
#3
Posted 13 April 2004 - 09:22 PM
I ship 3 day express and you have the ability to watch it along the way as it passes through various stages. Plenty of insurance as well!
#4
Posted 13 April 2004 - 09:33 PM

#5
Posted 13 April 2004 - 10:12 PM
#6
Posted 14 April 2004 - 12:38 AM
Use REGISTERED mail.
You will seal the package yourself, using paper tape, as this will take the required inked anti-tampering stamps that will be applied by the post office. You will be required to state the contents and their value: I merely say, "firearm".
My friendly USPS counter person related that when the Hope diamond toured the country recently, this is how it was transported from city to city. He also mentioned that no registered shipment has ever been lost or stolen. Ever.
PK suggested this method when I shipped him my WH M1 recently; it worked like a charm. His packing advice? "Pack the gun as though you were going to throw it across the room!"
#7
Posted 14 April 2004 - 05:25 AM
I cut and pasted right from the USPS website below:
Unloaded Rifle or Shotgun
Short-barrelled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person are
nonmailable.
Mailer must comply with Gun Control Act of 1968 and with state and local laws.
USPS may require mailer to open parcel or give written certification that
weapon is unloaded and not concealable.
Registered mail service is recommended
Also try the link. Whatever you do DO NOT mention machinegun, it is a rifle to anyone USPS, UPS or FedEx they just don't understand and also do not need to know. Hanguns are a no no for us civies at USPS.
Also absolutely do not ship it USPS unless it is registered and insured. You will be fine if you do that and take PK's suggestion to TSMGguy pack so it can be thrown across the room without hurting it!
NOW here is where I will spout a bit. Reading the USPS website it says short-barrelled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person are nonmailable. I would have to say taking the most conservative approach to this statement which I always do when dealing with firearms, that a Thompson is NOT mailable by USPS. Now some may have got away with it and some may still do it in the future. I would argure against anyone about the concealability of a Thompson, but from a legal definition the Thompsons (originals) are far less than 16". Anything not a MG less than 16" needs a tax stamp as a SBR and if push came to shove I am sure the USPS would default to that as a measure. Comments anyone?
Therefore based on this I would use UPS or Fed Ex. I usually use Fed Ex.
michael
USPS link on subject
#8
Posted 14 April 2004 - 06:15 AM
Sig is correct, when shipping with USPS, I identify the article has a firearm or rifle. NEVER use the term machinegun or submachinegun, that would be too much information, so keep it simple. USPS seems only to be concerned that there be no ammo in the shipment. Nor will they accept sidearms from non-licensees. I don't know if FFL's can ship sidearms, if they do, they probably would have to go Overnight like FedEx.
#9
Posted 14 April 2004 - 06:25 AM
#10
Posted 14 April 2004 - 07:28 AM
#11
Posted 14 April 2004 - 10:28 AM
A TSMG is not a SBR.
Include a usable copy of the form 3 or 4 to cover the recipient. Registered USPS mail is the only truly secure shipping method that there is.
#12
Posted 14 April 2004 - 11:31 AM

#13
Posted 26 April 2004 - 11:09 AM
#14
Posted 26 April 2004 - 07:35 PM
This isn't exactly an answer to your initial question (which has been pretty well answered.) Instead, it's about your transfer. You staed the gn was out of state, you were going to have to pay a tax to get it on a Form 3 so it can be transferred to your in-state dealer and then eventually to you. IMHO, that sounds like a total of three transfers, one of which is unecessary. Federally speaking, your seller can transfer it tax-paid directly to your in-state FFL who can then transfer the gun to you (for a total of two taxes and two transfers, instead of two taxes and three transfers.) OTOH, there may be more info you've left out, such as if the gun is coming from a state such as Kalifornia which requires FFL on both ends.
Just trying to suggest a way for you to save a little time and get your gun a little quicker...
#15
Posted 27 April 2004 - 10:02 PM
Bill, you caught me in my initial post. If the deal would have gone through, the Thompson would have been transferred to my in-state dealer on a tax paid Form 4 - then to me on another tax paid Form 4. Sorry for the confusion. Unfortunately, the deal went south because of several issues so I am back looking again. Anyone know of Colt Thompson for sale?
Tom