No, you can't ship black powder pistols or handguns via the USPS.

[maillemaker]

A common question that comes up here is, "Can I ship a black powder pistol or handgun through the USPS?"

The answer is no.

There is then always a lot of debate around this. A lot of people are confused between the Federal definition of a firearm and USPS postal regulations.

These are the USPS regulations, as updated February 9, 2023:

https://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/Pub52/pub52.pdf
Go to page 99.

Alternatively, you can go here:

https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_008.htm

What this means is that you cannot ship "antique firearms meeting the description of a handgun." via the USPS. This includes replicas. The USPS doesn't consider antique firearms to be firearms unless they meet the definition of a handgun. Then they consider it a firearm.

What it also means is that you cannot take the gun apart and ship the pieces as "parts" to get around this regulation. You can't ship the frame or lock for a handgun, either.

Regardless of what the federal government may define a firearm to be, USPS postal regulations do not allow the shipping of any kind of handgun.

There are exceptions for certain government employees, and certain license holders. But your average Joe cannot ship any kind of handgun through USPS.

 

[BeoBill]

I direct your attention to the words "or replica" in 431.2 and subparagraphs a. and b. above. I'm not a lawyer, but I can read. I would check with your local postmaster.
BUT..
USPS has an impressive "loss/theft" rate for parcels...

 

[maillemaker]

I direct your attention to the words "or replica" in 431.2 and subparagraphs a. and b. above. I'm not a lawyer, but I can read. I would check with your local postmaster.
BUT..
USPS has an impressive "loss/theft" rate for parcels...

Please note, as I noted above, that antique firearms does not exempt antique firearms meeting the description of a handgun.

 

[necchi]

Can I ship "machined parts"?

 

[64Springer]

THERE IS NO PROBLEM, WHATSOEVER, SHIPPING BLACK POWDER PISTOLS VIA USPS.

STOP DOING THE WORK OF THE GUN GRABBERS.

THANK YOU.

 

[maillemaker]

THERE IS NO PROBLEM, WHATSOEVER, SHIPPING BLACK POWDER PISTOLS VIA USPS.

STOP DOING THE WORK OF THE GUN GRABBERS.

THANK YOU.

How do you square your opinion with the regulations above that explicitly disallow handguns, even antique handguns, from being mailed?

 

[maillemaker]

Can I ship "machined parts"?

According to the above regulations, if your machine parts include a handgun frame, no.

 

[64Springer]

How do you square your opinion with the regulations above that explicitly disallow handguns, even antique handguns, from being mailed?

Because a black powder firearm is NOT a firearm per ATF.

They can be purchases as if buying a candy bar or the lasted edition of Gun Grabber magazine.

Antiques fall under a class of handguns that use modern cartridges.

The USPS doesn't want pre-January 1st, 1899, cartridge revolvers being shipped USPS.

Antique guns are NOT black powder guns.

 

[maillemaker]

Because a black powder firearm is NOT a firearm per ATF.

They can be purchases as if buying a candy bar or the lasted edition of Gun Grabber magazine.

Antiques fall under a class of handguns that use modern cartridges.

The USPS doesn't want pre-January 1st, 1899, cartridge revolvers being shipped USPS.

Antique guns are NOT black powder guns.

The ATF is not the USPS. ATF definitions are not the same as USPS definitions.

Please read this again:

Debating what is and is not an "antique firearm" doesn't matter.

The USPS does not allow shipping of any kind of handgun. Antique firearms meeting the description of a handgun are explicitly included as unable to be shipped.

 

[64Springer]

The ATF is not the USPS. ATF definitions are not the same as USPS definitions.

Please read this again:
View attachment 243333

Think whatever you want.

But stop spreading B*** S*** on the internet.

You want to do the Left's work for them.....fine.

But you have exactly, precisely, and without ambiguity no idea what you're talking about.

 

[maillemaker]

Think whatever you want.

But stop spreading B*** S*** on the internet.

You want to do the Left's work for them.....fine.

But you have exactly, precisely, and without ambiguity no idea what you're talking about.

I am not "doing the Left's work for them". I would love to be able to ship handguns through USPS. What I don't want is for people to get in trouble. Or worse, not be able to file an insurance claim if it turns up lost.

I have provided the actual USPS regulations.

I don't know how you can continue to argue with 3 simple sections in black and white.

USPS regulations explicitly bar the shipping of handguns, and the explicitly say that this also applies to "antique firearms meeting the description of a handgun".

I suggest you print out this section and speak to your postmaster.
https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_008.htm

 

[#blackpowderbill]

I am not "doing the Left's work for them". I would love to be able to ship handguns through USPS. What I don't want is for people to get in trouble. Or worse, not be able to file an insurance claim if it turns up lost.

I have provided the actual USPS regulations.

I don't know how you can continue to argue with 3 simple sections in black and white.

USPS regulations explicitly bar the shipping of handguns, and the explicitly say that this also applies to "antique firearms meeting the description of a handgun".

I suggest you print out this section and speak to your postmaster.
https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_008.htm

SMH
USPS follows BATFE written regulations on shipping firearms ,C&R and antiques which includes BP originals and replicas.

 

[Mulebrain]

I don't ship guns, only parts

 

[BrianL]

I think that the key here is proper markings. Make sure that you have many warnings that this is a questionable item, big orange letters make the package look inviting. Seriously, if you want to minimize potential damage and questions at the post office, break the gun down into the halves, super pad it and send it. The package will be about 40 inches long and no one will even notice

 

[Lslite]

Shipped a CVA revolver last week, no problems whatsoever.

 

[maillemaker]

I have contacted the Mailing and Shipping Solutions center.

They are researching the answer.

Just because something is classified as a firearm (and hence a restricted item) does not mean you can't ship it through USPS. It just means there are certain ways it has to be shipped.

I am trying to find out now what those ways are for percussion handguns.

 

[azmntman]

Back when I used to own guns I never shipped them. But I used to ship "replica props" that were sold or tranfsered to another party to use as a replica in an adult theatrical preformance.

 

[azmntman]

I have contacted the Mailing and Shipping Solutions center.

They are researching the answer.

Just because something is classified as a firearm (and hence a restricted item) does not mean you can't ship it through USPS. It just means there are certain ways it has to be shipped.

I am trying to find out now what those ways are for percussion handguns.

WTH did you do that? You just said WE COULD NOT! Now yer changing yer tune to say we might be able to if we pack it in talc powder and lemon slices? My replicas went in bubble wrap and I was never questioned about the term "Replica Prop".

Whats yer point....really?

 

[azmntman]

BTW the mailing and solutions center OF WHAT? The USPS or the clinton library?

 

[64Springer]

WTH did you do that? You just said WE COULD NOT! Now yer changing yer tune to say we might be able to if we pack it in talc powder and lemon slices? My replicas went in bubble wrap and I was never questioned about the term "Replica Prop".

Whats yer point....really?

Mitt Romney owns muzzle loaders.

Flip Flopin with the best of them. '