Has USPS made suppressors non-mailable?

[Slipstream]

I have always read that it is legal to ship suppressors by U.S. Mail, because the USPS defines “firearm” differently than does the U.S. Code; a suppressor is not a firearm according to the USPS, and thus is not restricted for shipment back to the manufacturer by individuals.

I just checked the current version of the Domestic Mail Manual and it appears that the USPS adopted a new definition of firearm on January 22. Suppressors are now included in the definition of firearm:

12.1.1a Firearm means any device, including a starter gun, which will, or is designed to, or may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device; but the term shall not include antique firearms (except antique firearms described under 12.1.1c and 12.1.1d).

The kicker is that the manual retains the prohibition on shipping firearms that are capable of being concealed on the person:

12.1.2 Handguns
Handguns and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable unless mailed between the parties listed in 12.1.3 and 12.1.5 after the filing of an affidavit or statement required by 12.1.4 and 12.1.6, and are subject to the following...

Am I missing something?

Domestic Mail Manual:
http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm#1198527

[doubloon]

A suppressor is a firearm by U.S. code definition.

A suppressor is capable of being concealed on the person ... at least all mine are.

If you're licensed you can send suppressors USPS.

[Bendersquint]

Silencers are in the US Code AS firearms.

There are specific ways to legally ship ALL firearms(including silencers) via USPS.

Nothing has changed at all it was just clarified.

Someone keeps hitting all the forums trying to cause mass panic and they aren't even reading the text they are quoting.

Is it you starting this or are you just reposting this here?

[Bendersquint]

A suppressor is a firearm by U.S. code definition.

If you're licensed you can send suppressors USPS.

Beat me to it, and you are right!

[doubloon]

I think it was a tie

I know I can't ship much of anything USPS, long guns and antiques only ... but not without an argument and printed documentation. Even shipping stuff UPS is a PITA for us poor slobs without a license.

I've gotten to the point where when I want to ship something I visit a friendly LGS ... no hassle, not even an up-charge at the friendly ones and I get to browse doodads while I'm there.

I don't even know all the rules and I don't care what the rules are anymore. I argued with UPS for 2 weeks once because they don't even understand their own shipping policy. Life's too short and my time is better spent at the range than charging at windmills.

[Bendersquint]

You shouldn't be shipping a silencer or handgun anyways unless its going to a licensee, so what the heck does it matter anyways?

People make life so much harder than it needs to be for themselves anyways.

[doubloon]

Exactly, but USPS doesn't always seem to understand it's OK to ship to a licensee. Every time I send a handgun back to the manufacturer it's an argument and the last time I tried to send a suppressor back to the manufacturer via UPS was my 2 week argument.

[rogerme]

People make life so much harder than it needs to be for themselves anyways.

I thought that was the feds job?

[Bendersquint]

People make life so much harder than it needs to be for themselves anyways.

I thought that was the feds job?

Well the Feds do make it harder but more people than the Feds make their lifes harder by their own doing. This is no different.

[continuity]

My SSNcN tells me he has had no problem shipping "machined parts" by USPS, but UPS always seems to have a local outlet closer to him.

[Bendersquint]

My SSNcN tells me he has had no problem shipping "machined parts" by USPS, but UPS always seems to have a local outlet closer to him.

I have heard the same thing from my SSNcN.

One thing to remember is that if you use a UPS store and you have to file a claim it will be denied 100% as UPS stores are contract agents and can't touch firearms or components. So you take your chances shipping through them, the hub works though with no issues.

[doubloon]

My SSNcN tells me he has had no problem shipping "machined parts" by USPS, but UPS always seems to have a local outlet closer to him.

I have a lot of ... neighbors ... who have done the same thing in the past. Very easy, no "overnight" up-charge, no insurance requirement. But as -B- points out it you want to be able to make a claim on insurance you have to play the game by the twisted rules.

[CThomas]

The dips at UPS counter would not let me ship a muzzle loader. I tried to explain that it was not a firearm but that part did not make it past their thick brain buckets.

My old Post Master questioned me on shipping a long gun to an FFL. He said that I had to be an FFL as well.
I brought him the regs that were printed direct from the USPS web site. He looked at the date that the reg's were written and said they were really old and probably not up to date.

Went to ship an NFA M60 E3 from USPS to an SOT and the guy said NO that I had to be an FFL. Went to the next post office and the guy said no problem.

How do these people keep their jobs?

[No2sc2]

If you want to ship firearms, ship it like you're shipping to the mfg. You can't drop off in office or at any location, you have to find a hub or give it to the UPS driver. They won't accept firearm even tho their policy states they do.

[Conqueror]

I know this is an old thread but a quick followup:

The Domestic Mail Manual still includes the definitions posted above, which would seem to include silencers as a "firearm which can be concealed about the person."

However, USPS Publication 52, which is their specific publication dealing with hazardous/restricted/perishable items, and which is current as of December 2012, does NOT include silencers or mufflers in its definition of a 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.

Clear as mud, right?

[doubloon]

...
Clear as mud, right?

Yep, it looks like those dipshidiots redefined BB guns and slingshots as a firearms.

But it's good to know I can still ship my rail gun or my laser gun via USPS.

[continuity]

...But it's good to know I can still ship my rail gun or my laser gun via USPS.

Hell yeah!!!!

[bakerjw]

From my understanding to ship a handgun via the USPS, it has to go from one licensed dealer to another licensed dealer. They even have a special form for that. UPS and FedEx both require overnight for shipping for handguns from an individual to a dealer.

As for long guns, you can use ground when shipping UPS or FedEx to a licensed dealer.

I do not know about long guns with the USPS.

[doubloon]

I've mailed long guns via USPS before but it was quite the show and a lengthy discussion once I revealed to the clerk I had an unloaded gun in the box.

Theoretically you can mail a handgun as a non-licensee if you're sending it to the FBI or some other godly agency.

A suppressor is a firearm that is "capable of being concealed on the person" but I've never tested whether or not they would let me mail one. I recall hearing about people receiving suppressors in the mail from manufacturers but I don't know what procedures were followed. But a suppressor is not a firearm by the USPS definition.

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.

http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm

Cherry picking ...

Unloaded Rifle or Shotgun
Short-barreled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person are nonmailable.
The mailer must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968 and with state and local laws.
The Postal Service may require the mailer to open the parcel or give written certification that the 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.

[DMY]

So if I'm reading this correctly, the consensus is that I am not permitted to mail my suppressor to myself via USPS.

For example, let's say I get on an airplane in suppressor-friendly state A and fly to suppressor-friendly state B, but I don't want to take the suppressor on the airplane. I want to mail the suppressor, to myself, from state A to my home in state B. I am not a dealer. This is not allowed, right?

For reference (one link borrowed from above):

Definitions:
http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_008.htm

Mailability:
http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub52/pub52c4_009.htm#ep350890

[Bendersquint]

So if I'm reading this correctly, the consensus is that I am not permitted to mail my suppressor to myself via USPS.

For example, let's say I get on an airplane in suppressor-friendly state A and fly to suppressor-friendly state B, but I don't want to take the suppressor on the airplane. I want to mail the suppressor, to myself, from state A to my home in state B. I am not a dealer. This is not allowed, right?

Correct.

[eastern_hunter]

OK ... I am confused. I thought it was OK for a legal owner to ship a handgun to a licensee for work on it. Not true?


Is it legal to send a can back to the manufacturer for inspection and/or repair.

When I have shipped high value long guns have always done it by registered mail and would choose to use that approach if the situation arose with a can.

Thanks!

[Bendersquint]

OK ... I am confused. I thought it was OK for a legal owner to ship a handgun to a licensee for work on it. Not true?


Is it legal to send a can back to the manufacturer for inspection and/or repair.

When I have shipped high value long guns have always done it by registered mail and would choose to use that approach if the situation arose with a can.

Thanks!

Not true via USPS. ONLY dealer to dealer via USPS.

Yes, it is legal to send a can to a manufacturer via USPS, and they can return it via USPS as well.

WE have dealt with hundreds and hundreds of can, there is no need to do registered mail, its more costly and it pisses the USPS off. Signature release, insured is the way to go.