# How to ship a rifle interstate?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-ship-a-rifle-interstate/722018>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 8, 2015, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-ship-a-rifle-interstate/722018 "2015-06-08T22:52:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-ship-a-rifle-interstate/722018/21 "2015-06-10T06:26:33Z")

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Ah, I think I see what you are saying but it I present in another state. Safest bet: call the ATF. Or better, if not in a hurry, get an answer from them in writing.

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**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-ship-a-rifle-interstate/722018/22 "2015-06-10T12:42:01Z")

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Things may have changed a bit, but about 5 years ago I purchased a new rifle at a gun shop in Michigan. I wrapped it, took it to the local Post Office and shipped it to myself in California. The clerk in Michigan said this was nothing unusual. More recently I had a handgun shipped to me from Illinois. Had to use an FFL at both ends. This, I recall, is because it was a handgun, not a rifle.

If you do need an FFL, and your destination is near San Diego, the best is Gussler’s.

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**Author:** ![richw211](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@richw211](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/richw211)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-ship-a-rifle-interstate/722018/23 "2015-06-10T17:05:32Z")

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I’m not a licensed gun dealer, but I recently shipped a 19th century black powder muzzle loading rifle from Salt Lake City to the Chicago Area through the USPS. I think this was a “special case” because it was not subject to many of the regulations. Before I tried to ship it I made numerous phone calls to determine this was the best way to go. I definitely received conflicting information from many individuals at a variety of organizations (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, United Airlines,…).

I had UPS package it up and then I took it to USPS for shipment. It took over 3 hours total. It was not a good day for government competency or efficiency.

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