Are firearms allowed to be shipped?
Asked by: Cassandre Schumm | Last update: February 11, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (35 votes)
Yes, firearms can be shipped, but strict federal laws and carrier rules apply, requiring shipping via a licensed dealer (FFL) for handguns and often for rifles/shotguns across state lines, with specific packaging, declaration, and no ammunition in the same box, using common carriers like UPS or FedEx, as USPS generally prohibits non-licensee handgun shipping.
Is it legal to ship a firearm in US mail?
Yes, you can mail a gun in the U.S., but rules vary significantly by carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEx), firearm type (rifle/shotgun vs. handgun), and sender/recipient (individual vs. FFL licensee), with private individuals generally restricted to sending long guns (rifles/shotguns) via USPS within their own state or to an FFL, while handguns almost always require common carriers like UPS/FedEx and must go through a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder, with strict declarations of contents and signature requirements.
Do I have to tell UPS I'm shipping a firearm?
Yes, you must verbally declare that you are shipping a firearm (unloaded) when dropping it off at a UPS Customer Center (not a UPS Store), as private individuals generally cannot ship firearms via UPS unless using a licensed dealer's contract, and you must provide ID, with delivery requiring an adult signature; otherwise, it's against policy and potentially illegal for individuals, with long guns sometimes shippable via USPS with specific procedures, but handguns are restricted.
What carrier will ship firearms?
Major carriers like UPS, FedEx, and the USPS all ship firearms, but with strict federal regulations, requiring FFL (Federal Firearms License) involvement for most transactions, especially handguns and interstate shipments; private individuals generally can't ship handguns via common carriers, while FFLs have specific agreements, and the USPS allows licensed individuals to send rifles/shotguns but not handguns (unless via specific FFL channels).
Can you have guns mailed to your house?
In almost all cases, it is not legal to receive a gun at your home or transfer a gun across state lines without the involvement of a dealer. Having an FFL dealer receive your online purchase is what keeps this process secure, safe, and legal.
How To Mail Your Gun Legally and Safely
Are you allowed to order guns online?
If a person orders a firearm through a licensed gun dealer's website—whether or not the dealer operates in the same state as the buyer—the dealer will generally be required to ship the firearm to its physical location or to another local gun dealer, who will then be responsible for handling the background check and ...
Will FedEx ship my firearm?
The FedEx Service Guide prohibits firearm shipments. However, customers holding a Federal Firearms License (FFL) may work with their FedEx account executive to obtain approval to ship firearms with FedEx. This will require customers holding an FFL to execute a FedEx Firearms Shipping Compliance Agreement.
Can you order guns online and have them shipped?
Firearms cannot be ordered online (except for antique firearms) and shipped directly to the buyer. This is isn't California specific, it's federal law.
How do firearms get shipped?
UPS will allow you to ship both rifles and handguns, but not machine guns. The US Postal Service will only allow rifles and shotguns to be shipped. FedEx will allow any types of guns to be shipped so long as they are shipped to the appropriate person.
Does the USPS check packages for guns?
The Postal Service may require the mailer to open packages containing firearms or air guns or give written certification that the weapon is unloaded and not concealable. Short-barreled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person are nonmailable.
Are firearms allowed in the USPS?
No person on U.S. Postal Service® property may carry or store firearms, explosives, or other dangerous or deadly weapons, either openly or concealed, except for official purposes. See Title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 232.1.
Do I need to declare a gun when shipping?
To prevent theft, your parcel should NOT have any visible markings that it contains a firearm. Declaring. To comply with federal law, you MUST declare when a package contains a firearm. That means you should complete the carrier's firearm declaration form.
Can you ship a gun as a gift?
You can only ship a handgun by common carrier (but not U.S. mail) and a long gun by U.S. mail or common carrier to a federally licensed retailer, but not to a non-licensed individual in another state. With all carriers, federal law requires you to declare that your package contains an unloaded firearm.
Can a gun be shipped from one state to another?
Yes. A Firearms Shipment Approval number is required for each shipment/transfer of firearms to a California FFL.
Can you ship firearms via UPS or FedEx on Reddit?
I mean right now you have to pay an FFL to ship a pistol or do it secretly (I don't recommend doing this but it happens all the time). UPS and Fedex don't allow firearms at all now unless the shipper has an FFL and a special account. This was not the case a few years ago.
Does UPS allow shipping of firearms?
Shipments containing Firearm Products are accepted for transportation only from shippers who are federally licensed and have an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products.
What are the biggest risks of buying guns online?
When buying a used firearm online, there are legal and logistical considerations to be aware of. Firearms can only be shipped to a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer, meaning you will need to arrange for a background check and pick up your firearm from a local FFL.
Does Guns.com ship to your house?
No, Guns.com cannot ship firearms directly to your home due to federal law; all guns must be shipped to a local Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer, where you complete paperwork (ATF Form 4473) and pass a background check (NICS) before picking it up. Guns.com facilitates this by having you select a nearby FFL dealer during checkout, and they handle shipping the firearm to that store for your pickup, but you can receive suppressors at home after ATF approval and specific requirements are met.
What is the best carrier to ship guns?
When in doubt, work through a local FFL dealer. Understand Interstate vs. Intrastate: Shipping across state lines always requires an FFL at the receiving end for handguns. Choose the Right Carrier: UPS and FedEx allow certain handgun shipments, while USPS only accepts shipments from FFLs and other authorized shippers.
Can a firearm be shipped via USPS?
Yes, you can ship firearms through USPS, but with strict regulations: unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable by individuals (within the same state or to a licensee, with no marking on the outside), while handguns are generally restricted to licensees (manufacturers, dealers, government agents) and require specific affidavits, though a recent DOJ opinion found an old ban unconstitutional, creating uncertainty. All shipments must be unloaded, securely packaged without indicating contents, and comply with all federal and state laws, often requiring a carrier like UPS or FedEx for handguns if you're a non-licensee.
What are ghost guns?
What are ghost guns? Ghost Guns are unserialized (and therefore untraceable) firearms that are put together by components purchased either as a kit or as separate pieces. These firearms are fully functioning guns that are as lethal as a fully finished, serialized firearm.
Do you have to call FFL before ordering?
Yes, you should always call your FFL (Federal Firearms License) dealer before ordering a firearm online to confirm they'll accept the transfer, understand their fees, check if the gun is compliant with local laws, and arrange logistics, as it's common courtesy and prevents major headaches, even if some dealers are okay without a heads-up. It ensures the dealer has your FFL info, knows the firearm is coming, and minimizes delays when you go to pick it up and complete your paperwork (ATF Form 4473).
What are the benefits of buying guns online?
Here are a few reasons you should consider buying your next gun from an online gun store.
- Get More Selection With an Online Gun Store. The selection offered by online gun stores gives you far more options to choose from than traditional stores. ...
- Convenience You Can't Beat. ...
- Shop at an Online Gun Store You Can Trust.
Can I give my son one of my guns?
Yes. However, persons less than 18 years of age may only receive and possess handguns with the written permission of a parent or guardian for limited purposes, e.g., employment, ranching, farming, target practice or hunting.
Can you carry a gun that is not in your name?
In many states, the law does not require firearms to be registered, which means that even if a gun is not registered to you, you may still legally possess and carry it if you meet specific criteria. However, it is crucial to ensure that the firearm is not stolen and that you have the owner's permission to carry it.