Can I have my gun shipped to me?
Asked by: Bartholome Torphy | Last update: April 11, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (25 votes)
Yes, you can have a gun shipped to you, but it's highly regulated and depends on the type of firearm, your location, and the carrier, generally requiring shipping a rifle/shotgun to yourself (or an FFL) or using a licensed dealer (FFL) for handguns and interstate transfers, with strict adherence to federal, state, and local laws for background checks and legal possession.
Can firearms be shipped through the 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 I mail my own gun to myself?
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 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.
Do you have to tell UPS you are shipping a firearm?
Yes, you must declare that you are shipping a firearm to UPS, but only if you are a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder with a specific, pre-approved contract, as private individuals are generally prohibited from shipping firearms through UPS after their 2022 policy change. You must present the unloaded firearm in person at a UPS Customer Center (not The UPS Store), declare its contents, show ID, and use Next Day Air for handguns, with no firearm markings on the box.
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).
How To Mail Your Gun Legally and Safely
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.
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 you have guns mailed to your house?
Yes, you can get a firearm delivered, but it's heavily regulated: all online or out-of-state firearm purchases must be shipped to a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer in your state for you to pick up after completing required paperwork and a background check. You can't usually ship a firearm directly to yourself or another individual; it must go through an FFL, and specific carriers (UPS, FedEx, USPS) have strict rules, with USPS not allowing handgun mail and common carriers requiring FFL involvement.
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.
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.
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.
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 firearms through the US mail?
The USPS recommends that long guns be mailed via registered mail and that the packaging used to mail the long gun be ambiguous so as to not identify the contents. Handguns are not allowed to be mailed through USPS. See 18 U.S.C. §§1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5), and 922(a)(2)(A).
Can you ship a gun UPS or FedEx reddit?
Yes it will. 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.
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 ...
Do I have to tell UPS I'm shipping a firearm?
Yes, you must declare that you are shipping a firearm to UPS, but as a private individual, you generally cannot ship firearms directly through UPS anymore, as they now require shipments to be from and to licensed dealers (FFLs) with a specific contract, making private shipments via FFL-to-FFL services like ShipMyGun the primary option, not dropping off a boxed gun yourself. Federal law requires declaration, but UPS's strict policy means private shippers must use an FFL, who handles the UPS contract, or use USPS for long guns (not handguns) if you're a licensee or follow specific rules.
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 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.
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 I carry a pistol that was gifted to me?
If you are gifted a pistol by someone, you can legally possess and use it, even if you are 18 years old.
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.
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.
Are guns allowed to be shipped?
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.
Can a gun be delivered 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.