Regs on Mailing Pistols
Not ATF, but USPS. Definitive word: not for C&Rs.
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub52.pdf
Use this link (above) to reference. Below is the text from above link in a jumbled mess. Copying from PDF doesn't work well.
SlimTim
Section 43 (page 63).
43 Firearms
431 Definitions
431.1 Firearm
A firearm is defined as any device (including a starter gun) that is designed,
or may readily be converted, to expel a projectile by an explosion, a spring,
or other mechanical action, or by air or gas pressure with sufficient force to
be used as a weapon.
431.2 Handgun
Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the
person (for example, short-barreled shotguns and short-barreled rifles) are
defined as handguns. The following definitions apply:
a. Pistol or Revolver. A pistol or revolver is a handgun designed to be
fired by the use of a single hand.
b. Short-Barreled Rifle. A rifle having one or more barrels less than 16
inches long is defined as a short-barreled rifle. This includes any
weapon made from a rifle (by alteration or modification) resulting in an
overall length of less than 26 inches.
c. Short-Barreled Shotgun. A shotgun having one or more barrels less
than 18 inches long is defined as a short-barreled shotgun. This
includes any weapon made from a shotgun (by alteration or
modification) resulting in an overall length of less than 26 inches.
431.3 Antique Firearm
An antique firearm (including those with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion
cap, or similar type of ignition system) is any firearm manufactured in or
431.4 Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail
64 Publication 52
before 1898, or any replica of such a firearm, that meets either of the
following conditions:
a. It is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional
centerfire fixed ammunition.
b. It uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, which is no
longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available
through ordinary commercial trade channels.
431.4 Rifles and Shotguns
A rifle is a shoulder weapon having a barrel that is 16 inches or more in
length. A shotgun has a barrel of 18 inches or more in length. Rifles and
shotguns have an overall length of 26 inches or greater and cannot be
capable of being concealed on a person.
431.5 Licensed Manufacturer/Licensed Dealer
A manufacturer of firearms or a bona fide dealer in firearms is one duly
licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), U.S.
Department of the Treasury, under the Gun Control Act of 1968.
432 Mailability
432.1 General
The following conditions apply:
a. Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on
the person (referred to as handguns) are nonmailable in the domestic
mail except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM C024.1.0.
b. The disassembled parts of a handgun or other type of nonmailable
firearm that can be readily reassembled as a weapon are nonmailable
except as permitted in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM C024.1.0 or C024.2.0.
c. Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are
generally permitted as specified in Exhibit 432.1 and DMM C024.2.0.
d. Unloaded rifles and shotguns may be mailed if the mailer fully complies
with the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-618) and 18 U.S.C.
921. The mailer may be required to establish, by opening the parcel or
by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not excluded from
mailing because of the restrictions in 431.2b and c.
432.2 PS Form 1508
PS Form 1508, Statement by Shipper of Firearms, must be completed by
each firearm manufacturer or dealer who deposits firearms for mailing. The
form must be filed with the postmaster of the post office of mailing.
Restricted Matter 432.2
July 1999 65
Exhibit 432.1
Mailability Requirements for Firearms
Handguns may be mailed by a licensed manufacturer or dealer, an authorized federal agent, or an authorized state,
territory, or district agent ONLY when addressed to one of the following addressee categories for use in official
duties:
Addressee Affidavit Requirements
a. Officer of Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine
Corps, or organized reserve corps.
b. Officer of National Guard or militia of a state, district, or
territory.
Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and
certificate signed by commanding officer.
c. Officer of the federal government or a state, district, or
territory whose official duty is to serve warrants of
arrest or commitment.
d. USPS employees specifically authorized by the chief
postal inspector.
e. Officer or employee of a U.S. enforcement agency.
Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and
certificate signed by head of agency employing the
addressee.
f. Watchman engaged in guarding federal, state, district,
or territory property.
Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and
certificate signed by chief clerk of department, bureau,
or branch of government agency employing the
addressee.
g. Purchasing agent or other designated member of an
agency employing officers and personnel included in
c, d, or e above.
Mailable with affidavit signed by addressee and
certificate signed by the head of agency stating the
firearm is to be used by an officer or employee cited in
c, d, or e of the opposite column.
Unloaded Handgun
Mailer must be licensed manufacturer or dealer mailing to another licensed
manufacturer or dealer.
Addressee is FBI (or its Director) or scientific lab or crime detection bureau of any
agency whose members are federal law enforcement officers, or state, district, or
territory officers authoirzed to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
Manufacturers or dealers must complete PS Form 1508, Statement by Shipper of
Firearms, and file with the postmaster.
Postmasters may forward an unsatisfactory mailer statement to their RCSC for a ruling.
Unloaded Rifle or Shotgun
Short-barrelled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person are
nonmailable.
Mailer must comply with Gun Control Act of 1968 and with state and local laws.
USPS may require mailer to open parcel or give written certification that
weapon is unloaded and not concealable.
Registered mail service is recommended
Unloaded Antique Firearm
Unloaded antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces are acceptable
for mailing.
432.3 Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail
66 Publication 52
432.3 Packaging and Marking
No markings of any kind that indicate the nature of the contents may be
placed on the outside wrapper or container of any mailpiece containing
firearms. Mailable matter must be properly and securely packaged within the
general packaging requirements in DMM C010.
433 Mailer Responsibility
Even though certain types of firearms are permitted to be mailed within the
provisions of the postal law in 18 U.S.C. 1715, it is the mailer’s responsibility
to comply with all federal and state regulations and local ordinances affecting
the movement of firearms.
434 Legal Opinions on Mailing Firearms
Postmasters are not authorized to give opinions on the legality of any
shipment of rifles or shotguns. Mailers should be referred to the nearest
regional ATF office for further advice. See 435 and Exhibit 435.
435 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF)
Exhibit 435 lists the locations of the Department of the Treasury’s regional
ATF offices.
Exhibit 435
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Regional Offices
Office Area Served
North Atlantic Region
6 WORLD TRADE CENTER SIXTH FLOOR
NEW YORK NY 10048-0622
212-264-2328
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
841 CHESTNUT BUILDING THIRD FLOOR
PHILADELPHIA PA 19107-4403
215-597-4107
Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania
Southeast Region
2600 CENTURY PARKWAY RM 430
ATLANTA GA 30345-3104
404-679-5130
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North
Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Virgin Islands
Midwest Region
550 MAIN STREET
CINCINNATI OH 45202-3263
513-684-3334
District of Columbia, Indiana, Kentucky,
Michigan, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia
300 SOUTH RIVERSIDE PLZ STE 310
CHICAGO IL 60606-6613
312-353-1967
Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas,
Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,
New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Western Region
221 MAIN STREET 11TH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1927
415-744-9419
Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii,
Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon,
Washington
Restricted Matter 443.1
July 1999 67
436 Nonmailable Firearms Found in the Mails
Nonmailable firearms discovered in the mailstream must be immediately
reported in accordance with POM 139.117.