Can I Ship Gun Parts? Is It Legal?

Can you ship gun parts? Is it legal to ship gun parts through the mail? What about the carrier you choose? Let’s take a look.

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Can Gun Parts Be Shipped To Your Home?

Yes, you can order virtually any gun part online and have it shipped directly to your house outside of serialized receivers as they are defined as ‘firearms’ by the ATF, including 80% lowers (in most states), can be shipped directly to your home. In fact, you can have any gun part that the ATF does not classify as a “firearm” shipped to you.

Federal Firearms Laws

The U.S. has laws that govern the shipping of firearms. The 1968 Gun Control Act. The Act forbids non-licensed importers, manufacturers, or dealers from sending, receiving, or shipping firearms. Additionally, carriers may place their own limitations on the shipment of guns.

The United States Postal Service, for instance, forbids any markings on the outside of the package that suggest it contains firearms and will not mail any “short-barreled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person.” Handguns can be shipped by USPS, but only if they are designated as relics or curios and are going to a collector.

FedEx will ship firearms, but only to and from “licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, licensed collectors, and U.S. law enforcement agencies. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof.” Due to the same restriction, UPS is also unable to ship automatic weapons or any other guns or gun-related items internationally.

State Shipping Statutes

Every carrier also acknowledges the requirement for gun shipments to adhere to state gun control laws. Depending on where you live, state gun laws can differ significantly, and some states are known to have stricter gun laws than others.

Even though there might be a little more latitude for shipping ammunition and firearm parts, you should carefully review each carrier’s policies before mailing anything. In essence, you’re better off leaving the mailing to someone who does if you don’t already have a permit to ship a gun.

You might want to speak with an experienced lawyer nearby if you have questions about the laws governing the shipment of guns or if you’re being accused of doing so.

Can 80% Lowers Be Shipped To New York State?

No, it is not currently possible to have 80% AR-15 lower receivers delivered to your home. The 80% AR-15 lowers that are available by clicking here have been the subject of cease-and-desist letters from the New York Attorney General to all manufacturers and sellers. By amending the definition of “gunsmith” in New York State and outlawing “ghost guns,” Senate Bill S7763A aims to change the definition of the term. Even for individual use, finishing any lower receivers at home will be prohibited if this new law change is approved, which I am confident will happen. Only pistol lowers in the Glock and other styles are currently permitted to be shipped to residents of New York State; however, Senate Bill S7763A will change this.

Which Gun Parts Can Be Delivered To Your New York Home?

The parts listed below (not a complete list) can be delivered right to your house:

AR-15 Rifle or Pistol Parts Kits (includes everything except for the lower receiver)
Bolt Carrier Groups (BCG)
Firing Pin
Bolt
Charging Handles
Dust Port Covers
Forward Assist Assemblies
Iron/Backup Sights
Scopes
Complete Upper Assemblies
Upper Receivers
Muzzle Breaks
Flashlights
Lasers
Handguards and Rails
Rail Covers
Rail Adapters
Barrels
Gas Blocks
Gas Tubes
Pistol Grips and Featureless Grips
Stocks
Buffer Tubes
Buffer Springs
Buffers
End Plates
Springs, Detents, and Lower Parts Kits
Triggers and Trigger Assemblies
Slings
Armor
Ammo
Magazines (10 round limit for NYS)

Is It Legal To Send Gun Parts By Mail?

First of all, regardless of the FFL status in any state, it is 100% legal for a non-FFL to send ANY non-serialized firearm part to ANYONE. The ATF identifies the restricted part of a firearm as the serialized part.

Is It Acceptable To Send Gun Parts Through Usps?

The U.S. Postal Service advises that long guns be shipped via registered mail and that no markings of any kind that might reveal the contents of a package containing firearms be applied to the package’s exterior. Handguns can’t be mailed. A handgun must be transported by a common or contracted carrier.

Is Usps An Option For Sending Firearm Parts?

The U.S. Postal Service advises that long guns be sent via registered mail and that no markings of any kind should be placed on the outside of any package containing firearms to indicate the nature of the contents. You cannot mail a handgun. A handgun may be transported only by common or contract carrier.

Why Would You Buy Gun Parts Online?

Accessibility is the short form. Due to the intense competition for online gun part sales, online shops offer a wider selection of parts, brands, and accessories for the AR-15 at lower prices than traditional brick-and-mortar stores.

With the exception of shipping, the internet has facilitated commerce by removing geographical and temporal barriers for customers to interact with merchants. This is particularly accurate when purchasing gun parts online. If you reside in central or upstate New York, you are aware that there aren’t many gun stores there, and the ones that do tend to be smaller establishments with constrained supplies of AR-15 parts and accessories.

While there are some stores in New York that sell or even specialize in AR-15 parts, they can only physically stock so many parts or brands on their shelves, and because there aren’t many local stores to choose from, they can usually charge much higher prices than online competitors. Like Brownell’s, many online retailers offer excellent return/exchange policies or lifetime warranties. Because of this, buying things online is typically a much better option, especially for people looking for deals.

Can You Send Gun Parts To A Po Box?

Parts may be shipped through USPS by an unlicensed (non FFL) person, but “firearms” cannot…. False; you can legally mail firearms to an FFL or yourself from any contract carrier. The USPS will also ship rifles, but not handguns.

What Firearm Components Must Be Shipped To An FFL?

A private buyer is allowed by federal law to buy every component of a firearm online, with the majority of the parts being delivered to her home. The receiver is the only component that cannot be shipped to her house. The receiver needs to be delivered to her neighborhood FFL dealer.