Are you ready for another rant on the absurdity that is our
dear USPS??????

I went to local po today to mail a rifle I had sold. Took my
C&R with me as the dealer it was going to would not accept it from
an individual. Good so far....I thought....
Last I checked it was legal for an individual to ship a long gun to a dealer. Hey, I figured if that was ok, it would be even more
ok to inclose a copy of my 03 to make it even more ok....right?
Wrong...I have shipped a long gun at this contract PO before...and the same lady waited on me today...and we are kinda
friendly so I figured this should go well....wrong....she asked if it was a "gun", gee...it's going to XXXXX Firearms...wonder what made her think of it being a gun? Yes I replied...ooops!
wrong answer!!!!!!! I am asked if I have a form 1508...huh??
NO, but my license is in with the rifle and I can go get one out of the car if you want it....NO you HAVE to have a 1508...
a what???????
Now, later I called 3 guys having an 01 FFL and asked them if they had ever heard of this...and all 3 said: "HUH?"
I was told I should have had one...huh??? broken record by now
HUH???
Long story a little shorter...boss called big PO and was told to print one of their website...but it won't let him in....so off I go to next PO...They were supposed to have one for me....
only when I got there and asked for a 1508...wait for it....'

HUH?


He finally found it....took a LONG time examining my FFL and finally figured out how to fill in the blessed 1508. And finally got to mail my no longer mine rifle...

So my question to all, including Bricktop, is this:

If you have an 01/03, has anyone ever told you you had to have a
1508????

Did something new come out of world wide PO HQ? Only the 1508
was issued in 1981. Yep 33 yrs. ago....

So do you know how to fill it in? Have you ever heard of this?
And last comment I got went like this....we won't be doing this much longer....this being shipping firearms, even from dealers.
WTF?

Ok...I'll sit back and enjoy my popcorn now...feel free to comment...I might learn something...hopefully....


HUH?

You don't need it, but the Pos-ozos haven't a clue much of the time. I was thrown out of the Carson City NV main PO, because I kept insisting I wasn't a dealer and didn't need to fill out any form. I remained polite, but they called the sheriff. I just took it to the satellite office, where the ladies have half a brain and mailed. It was a long gun broken down.

You could have just enclosed your C&R inside with the rifle for the dealer you were sending it to; and not put 'XXXXX Firearms' on the front of the box (I NEVER do that)...just ask the dealer for the shipping address and his name (or you can use the name of the guy who actually bought it) and use that information to address the package. After shipping a whole bunch of rifles, shotguns, and handguns through the USPS over the last two decades, I have never had a problem with them. Not one. Never had to fill out a form either. I'd rather use them than either UPS or FedEx.

Just remember to answer the only question they can ask...."anything flammable,liquid,fragile etc enclosed".....no, is the correct answer, then off it goes to its destination.

Answer the three simple questions, explosives, liquids, perishables.


No No No


As far as that goes it's nobody's business what your shipping, why people answer anything further is beyond me?

Yep. In spades.

I slipped when I was insuring it for $3,000.00. I told what it was, and the Pos-zos freaked. Never again...

Yep, put the name of the individual (dealer's given name) on the FFL where you're sending it, not the business name. Saves a lot of headaches, and don't use a gun case to ship in.

The USPS is a pretty hard place to do business with, BUT this all could have easily been avoided. WHY, I ask, Why would you ever tell the person behind the counter it is a gun. Were you looking for trouble? You are under no obligation whatsoever to tell them it's a gun. For that matter, why include Firearms on the address label? I address my guns to the name of the person having the FFL on the other end. Why ask for trouble?

Ok....I admit not having thought of putting a person's name on
the label and not xyz firearms....good thought....but when she very pointedly asked me if it was a firearm since the label said
"xyz firearms"...I am not conditioned to outright lie to someone
I thought of as not just a clerk but a friend...just not made that way...

No Kodiak...not looking for trouble...just not made out to tell an
outright lie like that...

antlers: C&R was in the box...told them that....did NOT matter what license I had...they HAD to have the freaking 1508!!!!!!!

I don't consider it an outright lie. They have no authority to ask and you have no obligation to answer. There's lots of things I wouldn't tell people because they have no reason to know.

Consider it a lesson learned in dealing with the post office.

As far as the 1508, my understanding is that is for dealer to dealer shipment of handguns. It is not needed for long guns as they do not require a dealer to ship.

The C&R was just for the dealer who you said wouldnt accept from an unlicensed individual. You don't have to tell the USPS anything about a license or anything else. Just answer their standard questions with a "no". You might as well be shipping a box of widgets as a firearm. It does not matter. You'll know better next time, after getting the advice you've received...and it'll go much better in all likelihood. Good luck brother.

Form 1508 is for an FFL shipping a handgun to another FFL. Requiring it for anything else is bovine excrement.

The one I found online says "firearms"
The word "Handgun" is nowhere on it

It was also dated 1994:
http://about.usps.com/forms/ps1508.pdf

More detailed regulations, with no mention of Form 1508
http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm

i have never had any problems shipping guns at usps in my area.

A FFL is not required to ship a long gun. No need for a 1508 since it is not necessary to provide proof of having a FFL. A FFL is required to mail a handgun. Only reason to provide a 1508 is to ship a handgun. The last link you provided does mention a 1508 being required to ship a handgun.

your not supposed to tell any usps employee what is in your package, because they are the most likely to steal it.
My expirence closely matches the OP.
long story short, usps worker refused to ship rifle,had to go into the postmasters office, we called her supervisor, I told her I was trying to ship a rifle to an ffl holder, and she asked the postmaster " whats the problem". rifle got shipped, employee got ass chewed for being a dink.

I'm lucky... we have a local female postmaster, who is also a CCW Firearms instructor... 4 towns over, but shipping a firearm there is ALWAYS not an issue.. as long as the shipper abides by the rules... and she is WELL versed in Postal Service Regulations...

local gal at the UPS hub is also well versed in UPS rules and regulations...and is pro firearm... not anti gun, who usually make stuff up as they go along, to cover up their cluelessness, and to promote their political agenda...

You think she asks the 538 people before you mailing a medium or large flat rate box if a firearm is in there?

I went to a UPS/FedEx drop shop and a small PO in the town I live in and was told by both "you need a special transporters license". When I asked them what was the name of the "special license" and they couldn't tell me. I then said how you going to know if I have the right license when I go to ship if you don't know what it is? The drop shop woman started screaming I don't ship firearms and caused a scene, I then said you should have said that in the first place. I left before the police came!

An approach that might resolve the problem some are having when shipping, is to not open your mouth first, let the clerk start the conversation. They will ask how you want it shipped, you state your desire,they then ask if it contains anything flammable, fragile , liquid or dangerous, you of course answer no, pay your freight and the deal is done.
Seems a few guys just can't resist telling the world that they are shipping a firearm. Think of it as shipping merely a package and your life will be less stressful.

AS a C&R FFL you are not a Dealing FFL.I am surprised the FFL accepted your license .All you need to supply is your name and address.I send a copy of a DL.Most FFL`s are happy with that.I have a C&R and the only time it is sent to a dealing FFL is on a purchase.It is not legal to enter into a FFL log on a sale.As far as supplying anything to the USPS,tell them to GFY!!!

The receiving dealer still has the right to not accept firearms from individuals if he doesn't want to. It makes no sense to me, and I've never run across one who wouldn't receive firearms from an individual...but I reckon they're out there. If providing him with a copy of a C&R makes him feel better about receiving the firearm...so what.

http://www.ijreview.com/2014/04/130508-move-nsa-post-office-wants-mine-sell-data-gathered-mail/

I have never shipped a gun. I have mailed a lot of machine parts and tools though.

READ THIS:

USPS Firearms Shipping

There are many parts you may want to memorize in case of a pop-quiz by a witless postal clerk. In particular MEMORIZE THESE:

432.1-C 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.

432.3-G Rifles and shotguns may be mailed by a non-FFL owner domestically to a FFL dealer, manufacturer, or importer in any state. USPS recommends these items be mailed using those services described in 432.3a.

As someone else mentioned DO NOT ADDRESS THE PACKAGE TO ANY BUSINESS NAME THAT EVEN INSINUATES IT DEALS WITH FIREARMS.
If it's going to Joe Bob's Machine Guns and Death Rays simply make that Joe Bob's.

Here it is on the........
ATF Website

(b) No common or contract carrier
shall require or cause any label, tag, or
other written notice to be placed on
the outside of any package, luggage, or
other container indicating that such
package, luggage, or other container
contains a firearm

There's a lot more good stuff you can look up and read. What it comes to is the simple fact it is legal for a non-FFL holder to ship a long gun to any FFL holder in any state by USPS. Building on that here's the way I've found to work quite well for me and is entirely legal:

1)Set up an account at www.usps.com . It's easy.
2)Package the long gun being shipped securely with nothing on the outside of the package or on the shipping label even remotely insinuating a firearm is inside. I tape either a copy of the receivers FFL or a printout of the ATF eZCheck ( ATF eZCheck LINK HERE ) to the gun barrel and include my sender information as well.
3)Create your label following prompts. You can add whatever insurance you wish during this process.
4)Answer truthfully the questions asked concerning package contents. This pops up during the process and requires only a check mark.
5)Securely affix the package label covering it entirely in transparent packaging tape.
6)Take it to your local post office and drop it off. In mine there is a service half-door where I can simply reach inside and stand the package. If someone happens to be in view there I hand it over wish them a nice day and exit. The easier you make it for a postal worker the better that worker likes it and you. I was once asked the contents before I could make the turn around and simply answered "maching parts"; an absolutely true answer.


If a receiving FFL holder refuses to accept my shipment I suggest to the buyer he find another. That too is easy. If this is the one and only dealer available then the buyer is going to pay $30 to $50 for the additional hassle.

Finally, keep it simple and say no more than is necessary. Don't go in looking to start a conversation. Do your business and leave.

Here's a couple of online sources for info:
Commerce in Firearms and Ammunition
[color:#CC0000]ONLINE FIREARMS SCAMS [/color] This should be required reading.


Where's Bricktop when you really need him.

I'm ready to go on a USPS rant, but for another reason. I just got back from visiting 3 different post offices in an attempt to cash a USPS money order. What a effing joke. 2 didn't have the funds and the other said they had to call the money order in to verify it, but they were unable to because the system was down.

I just don't see any point to asking for payment via USPS money order any more.

only because they can USUALLY verify it is real.


they can usually cash them for a smaller amount, say,$50.

hazardous?-no
flammable?-no
liquid?-no
lithium batteries?-no

What's in it?-Phuuuuuc off

When shipping firearms I NEVER use the mention of firearms in the address. If it is going to XYZ Gun Shop I put XYZ GS on the company line and in the name box, who ever it it for. Even if it is ABC Sporting Goods I just put ABC SG. In other words I only use initials for any shooting or shooting related address, if it is a Pawn & Guns I just use Pawn.

Never had a problem and till it gets local the minions inbetween don't handle a package that screams "STEAL ME".

I never said it was required, but he did tell them he was also an FFL, which may have caused the confuaion

The top of Form 1508 says it may only be used by FFL's

I did miss the one referrence to the form among all the regulations on the second link

Why go to so many post offices? Your bank will cash it like any other money order.

the va state usps office actually showed me online in writing that according to there rules they can ship a long gun person to person with no ffl. i wouldn't do that for fear of selling to a criminal.i alway ship to the buyers ffl and include a copy of my id in the package for the ffl's records. we have very good people at both local post offices that i use.

In state you can. So in other words you ALWAYS use an FFL for a firearms transfer?

So if your neighbor wanted to buy one you would go to an FFL?

Some Post Offices are full of loons. I went in to ship a box containing 50 slings and the clerk noticed the company name on the return address.

She asked what's a sling? I told her they were rifle slings...well here we go... took me 5 minutes of repeating, "these are not firearms' to get it through her skull that it was a box containing 50 pieces of leather.

She then asked if it was ammunition.