Can a firearm be mailed to another state?
Asked by: Lisandro Mraz | Last update: January 27, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (50 votes)
Yes, but with strict rules: Handguns must go through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) at both ends (usually via common carrier like UPS/FedEx), while Rifles/Shotguns can sometimes be mailed by a non-licensee to themselves (in care of someone) or to an FFL, but never directly to another non-licensed individual out-of-state. All shipments must comply with federal, state, and local laws, use unmarked packaging, and handguns are generally forbidden via USPS.
Can I ship my gun to myself in another state?
Yes. A person may ship a firearm to him 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 “in the care of” the out–of–state resident.
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.
Can an individual ship a firearm through FedEx?
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.
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 I Buy a Gun In Another State? In-Person Interstate Firearm Transfers and Purchases.
Can UPS send 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can you transport firearms between states?
A person who lawfully possesses a firearm may transport or ship the firearm interstate when changing their state of residence. If using a moving company, you must notify the mover that firearms are being transported. Certain NFA firearms must have prior approval from ATF before such firearms may be moved interstate.
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.
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 I mail a firearm with the USPS?
The U.S. Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.
Do USPS packages get xrayed?
Some of the mail that is sent through the United States Postal Service will pass through an X-Ray machine. There are no specific guidelines as to what may or may not be x-rayed, though mail sent to or through larger cities is likely to pass through an X-Ray machine.
Can you buy a gun and ship it to another state?
FedEx and UPS will ship rifles, shotguns, and handguns, but only if they're addressed to a Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL). Gun owners are required to deliver their firearms to a staffed location in a locked, hard-sided container with no markings or labels indicating the package contains weapons of any kind.
Can firearms be shipped by FedEx?
Firearms shipping
Customers holding a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and federal, state, or local government agencies may ship firearms with FedEx, in accordance with applicable law.
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 you ship a gun UPS or FedEx reddit?
You can no longer ship via UPS or FedEx as a non-FFL holder, that is correct. Two options (if not using a local FFL): Ask the manufacturer to provide you the label. Use shipmygun.com to generate the label, then you can take it to a UPS customer center.
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.
What cannot be mailed?
You cannot mail hazardous materials (explosives, flammables, poisons, compressed gases, radioactive items), illegal substances (drugs, counterfeit goods), certain weapons (firearms, switchblakes, brass knuckles), live animals (except specific insects/fish with regulations), perishable foods, alcoholic beverages, and large amounts of cash/bullion, though restrictions vary by carrier and destination (USPS, UPS, FedEx). Specifics include liquids like mercury, strong perfumes, and even items like airbags or certain tobacco products.
Is the USPS gun ban overturned?
DOJ: Ban on mailing concealable firearms unconstitutional, can't be enforced. A nearly 100-year-old federal ban on mailing handguns through the U.S. Postal Service is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced, according to an opinion released Thursday by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
What is the most recommended way to transport a firearm?
Always unload and case firearms before transporting them. In many states, this may be the law. The action should be open or the gun broken down, whichever makes the firearm safest if it's mishandled. Firearms should not be displayed in window gun racks because the display may provoke anti-hunter sentiment.