Need to get ~6 guns up to Alaska. Whats the best way? (not driving).

[thinhorn_AK]

Hello everybody,

Heading back to AK and taking 6 guns with me, 3 rifles, 3 pistols. I am flying so doing the paperwork and declaring them isnt an option. $$$ isnt a huge issue (but cheaper is better) as long as they get there because these are nice guns.

I thinking I can get 2 double rifle cases, in one case put 2 rifles, in the other case one rifle and the handguns, of course Id probably stick things in gun socks as extra protection. I could remove the scopes if I had to but Id prefer not to (But I will if I need to).

The way I see it is I have 2 choices, I can check them on the airplane or I can mail them to myself.

So heres the real questions: Can I fly with that many guns? has anybody here sent guns to themselves? THis is for a permanent move, In the past Ive just checked single hunting rifles with the airlines and had no issues but I never tried it with half a dozen firearms.

Has anybody here done this? Im interested in all advice, and Im planning on calling the BATFE as well tomorrow to see what they have to say. Im trying to avoid drama.

Thanks in advance.

 

[hodgeman]

Yes- flying is the easiest option. You'll likely have to pay for an excess bag...still way cheaper than any other method.

When my father died, i brought his guns home to AK in three cases. Easy.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

THey just let you check in 3 gun cases and pay the fee??? ALso, SOrry about your father.

 

[hodgeman]

THey just let you check in 3 gun cases and pay the fee??? ALso, SOrry about your father.

Yep- had to sign three "unloaded" declarations and put one in each case. There were multiple guns per case. Excess bags were $25 a piece bag then, likely more now. Still way easier than shipping through my local FFL.

 

[Graves14]

You could also get one big pelican case and put them all in there.

 

[KJH]

Flying with guns is actually very easy. Its not very expensive either. That's the route I'd go.

 

[rayporter]

pack them well -the handguns will rattle all over.

 

[Huntindog45]

fly with them. it is the easiest option

 

[Huntindog45]

remember any shipping needs to be done from an ffl to an ffl. aside from that shipping isnt tough either.

 

[Murdy]

I don't know personally, but I was looking into shipping an antique firearm recently, and this was on the ATF website, you may want to follow up:

"A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun."

(implies you could ship to an FFL on the other end and save some $$)

AND
"A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the State where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm."
Perhaps the idea is if you're shipping it to yourself, it's not actually a transfer???

Here's the link: Firearms - Frequently Asked Questions - Unlicensed Persons | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

remember any shipping needs to be done from an ffl to an ffl. aside from that shipping isnt tough either.

That is incorrect info all around FYI. Might be applicable to CA but not correct on the federal level and thus not necessarily the rest of the states. Private to FFL is allowed legally (the FFL might not want to deal with a private sender but that is a different story). Mailing your own gun to yourself (to be received on the other end) also does not require a FFL involved from a federal standpoint.

 

[Huntindog45]

Damn...learn something new every day. I tried when I moved back to California and was told absolutely no way at the post office.... hmmmm


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[Murdy]

It is possible that the Post Office has additional regulations beyond the ATF

 

[Molon Labe]

Hello everybody,

Heading back to AK and taking 6 guns with me, 3 rifles, 3 pistols. I am flying so doing the paperwork and declaring them isnt an option. $$$ isnt a huge issue (but cheaper is better) as long as they get there because these are nice guns.

I thinking I can get 2 double rifle cases, in one case put 2 rifles, in the other case one rifle and the handguns, of course Id probably stick things in gun socks as extra protection. I could remove the scopes if I had to but Id prefer not to (But I will if I need to).

The way I see it is I have 2 choices, I can check them on the airplane or I can mail them to myself.

So heres the real questions: Can I fly with that many guns? has anybody here sent guns to themselves? THis is for a permanent move, In the past Ive just checked single hunting rifles with the airlines and had no issues but I never tried it with half a dozen firearms.

Has anybody here done this? Im interested in all advice, and Im planning on calling the BATFE as well tomorrow to see what they have to say. Im trying to avoid drama.

Thanks in advance.

I think it would be more expensive to fly with them plus messing around with all that luggage etc.
You can just mail them addressed to yourself at a POBOX that you set up in the town you are moving or home address. You will have signature required on them and I am 99% sure that is fine with ATF. Rules may have changed but I think it would be worth looking into
If you fly to Alaska for a hunt you can mail to yourself without FFL...

 

[Murdy]

Instead of renting a PO Box, could you just send them General Delivery?

 

[Backpack Hunter]

It is not necessary to mail to an FFL. You can mail them to the hub and pick them up from there if you wish......no clue what the fees would be to Alaska though.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Hello everybody,

Heading back to AK and taking 6 guns with me, 3 rifles, 3 pistols. I am flying so doing the paperwork and declaring them isnt an option. $$$ isnt a huge issue (but cheaper is better) as long as they get there because these are nice guns.

I thinking I can get 2 double rifle cases, in one case put 2 rifles, in the other case one rifle and the handguns, of course Id probably stick things in gun socks as extra protection. I could remove the scopes if I had to but Id prefer not to (But I will if I need to).

The way I see it is I have 2 choices, I can check them on the airplane or I can mail them to myself.

So heres the real questions: Can I fly with that many guns? has anybody here sent guns to themselves? THis is for a permanent move, In the past Ive just checked single hunting rifles with the airlines and had no issues but I never tried it with half a dozen firearms.

Has anybody here done this? Im interested in all advice, and Im planning on calling the BATFE as well tomorrow to see what they have to say. Im trying to avoid drama.

Thanks in advance.

Several years ago I brought 11 firearms up on a plane from Oregon, 9 long guns and 2 pistols, all in one big gun case. No big deal but TSA did give me some looks and had a few questions. It actually is a pretty funny story, but the bottom line is, I lost what little security/faith I had in the TSA.


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[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Damn...learn something new every day. I tried when I moved back to California and was told absolutely no way at the post office.... hmmmm


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CA has ALOT of weird regulations, if you notice lots of sellers on gunbroker and such say they won't ship to CA. Post office will also definitely ship long guns from a private party and definitely handguns from a FFL. Handguns from a private party gets push back and I'm not sure what is officially allowed there.

 

[AK Troutbum]

No USPS shipping of handguns from a private party.


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[thinhorn_AK]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I guess its looking like Ill just take them on the plane with me, thats probably the easiest and best option.

Can anybody suggest a case or cases that might be up to this task? I saw one that holds 3 rifles and 3 handguns but its not long enough for my hunting rifles and one of my revolvers is too long for it as well so that option wont work.