Can a private person ship a gun?
Yes, within limits. ATF says a nonlicensee may ship a firearm by common or contract carrier to a resident of their own state or to a licensed dealer in any state. What you can’t do is send a gun directly to an unlicensed person in another state. That transfer has to go through a dealer in the recipient’s state.
Who can you ship a gun to?
| Recipient | Allowed for a private owner under federal law? |
|---|---|
| Licensed dealer (FFL) in any state | Yes |
| A resident of your own state | Generally yes |
| A private person in another state | No. Ship to a dealer in their state instead. |
If you want to send a gun ahead of yourself for a hunting trip, ATF’s firearms Q&A covers that situation. Read it and the carrier’s rules before you do it.
Can you ship a handgun through USPS?
No. Handguns aren’t mailable by private individuals through the U.S. Postal Service. You have to use a common or contract carrier. A private owner may mail a rifle or shotgun to a resident of their own state or to a licensed dealer in any state. ATF notes the Postal Service recommends registered mail for long guns.
Carrier rules come on top of federal law
Federal law sets the minimum, but each carrier has its own firearm policy. Carriers can decide who may ship guns, which locations accept them, what service level you must buy, and how the package must be packed. These policies change, so read the carrier’s current firearm rules or call before you pack.
Declare the firearm
Under 18 U.S.C. 922(e), it’s illegal to knowingly hand a package containing a firearm to a common or contract carrier for interstate shipment to anyone other than a licensee without written notice to the carrier that it contains a firearm. Carriers generally require you to declare it anyway. The same section bars carriers from requiring labels on the outside of the package that show a gun is inside.
How to ship a gun to a dealer, step by step
- Contact the receiving dealer. Confirm they’ll accept the gun from a private person, and get their license copy and shipping instructions. Some dealers won’t accept shipments from individuals.
- Unload it. Remove the magazine, check the chamber twice, and don’t pack ammunition with it unless the carrier allows it.
- Pack it securely. Use a sturdy box with padding, or a hard case inside a plain outer box. Don’t label the outside.
- Include your info. Put a note inside with your name, phone, the recipient’s name and what the gun is for (transfer, repair, consignment).
- Go to the carrier. Declare the firearm and buy the required service, tracking and insurance.
- Send the tracking number to the dealer and the recipient.
Sending a gun for repair or to a gunsmith
You can ship a gun to a licensed gunsmith or manufacturer in any state for repair. Federal law lets the licensee return it to you, even across state lines. If you’re near Greenfield, you can also skip shipping and bring it to our gunsmithing service.
Selling a gun to someone in another state
Ship it to a licensed dealer in the buyer’s state. The buyer completes Form 4473 and a background check there, and pays that dealer’s transfer fee. If your buyer lives near Greenfield, Indiana, they can use us: our transfer fee is $35 for the first firearm. See our FFL transfers page.
Keep a paper trail
Keep your shipping receipt, tracking number and insurance details until the recipient confirms the gun arrived. Write down the make, model and serial number before you pack it. If a package is lost or stolen, you’ll need that information for the carrier claim and for a police report. It’s also smart to photograph the gun and the packed box before you drop it off.
Can a dealer ship the gun for me?
Many dealers will ship a gun to another dealer for you for a fee, which saves you from dealing with carrier rules. Call your local shop to ask if they offer it and what it costs.
Traveling instead of shipping
If you’re taking a gun with you rather than shipping it, different rules apply. For Indiana, see transporting guns in Indiana.
Laws and agency guidance change. This guide is general education, not legal advice. If you’re unsure about your situation, ask the shop before you buy or talk to an attorney.
Common Questions
Can I mail a handgun through the post office?
No. Private individuals can't mail handguns through USPS. Handguns must go by a common or contract carrier.
Can I ship a gun to a friend in another state?
Not directly. You ship it to a licensed dealer in your friend's state, and your friend completes the transfer there.
Do I have to tell the carrier there's a gun in the package?
Yes. Federal law requires written notice to the carrier when shipping a firearm interstate to a non-licensee, and carriers generally require you to declare it in every case.
Can I ship a gun to a gunsmith in another state?
Yes. You can ship a firearm to a licensee in any state, and the licensee can return it to you after repair.
Sources
- ATF: Firearms Questions and Answers (interstate shipping and transfers)
- ATF: Most Frequently Asked Firearms Questions and Answers
- 18 U.S.C. 922: Unlawful acts
- ATF: How may an unlicensed person receive a firearm purchased from an out-of-state source?
- 27 CFR 478.94: Sales or deliveries between licensees
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws and court rulings change; check current law or talk with an attorney about your situation.