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Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 21:58:09
by MarcSpaz
Hey folks... Looking for help finding some specific code.
I can't find any documentation either on the ATF site or on the US Postal Service site about shipping triggers, specifically.
Is there anyone here who is aware of a specific code or can provide a link to a fed web page that talks specifically about triggers being shipped.
Everything I have read so far indicates that if it is considered a "firearm", an unlicensed person can not ship to another unlicensed person... only to an FFL. Trigger groups are not registered, serialized, nor require a background check to purchase, so I am assuming I can just ship it. I just really want to be sure before I do.
Thanks
Spaz
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 22:20:08
by Ironbear
Can't point you to code but I've ordered trigger groups and lower parts kits (containing triggers and trigger parts) directly through the mail, from large distributors. Parts... as they say... is parts.
Sorry can't be more detailed.
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 22:56:49
by RO73
A trigger group (as long as it is not considered the firearm), can be shipped like anything else.
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 07:34:09
by MarcSpaz
That is pretty much what I figured. Thanks.
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 07:57:48
by wittmeba
I personally have had mixed experiences.
Several years ago I shipped a complete pistol (ball and powder, 6 balls in a display case) from California to Va.
I believe we used the USPS service. We boxed it up at the USPS store and it was no problem.
About a year ago I tried to ship a bolt from a Mauser action from a UPS Kinko's store and they would not accept it. They told me I had to go to the Airport UPS facility to ship it. The Kinko's store policy was "NOTHING" related to guns - they specifically mentioned barrels, scopes, even cases.
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 08:01:07
by Swampman
Sounds like Kinko's policy. Funny how Kinko sounds a lot like Pinko. Just sayin . . .
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 08:06:09
by wittmeba
The clerk at Kinko's called their office while we were there and was told no gun or any parts. This was the Kinko's in Salem, Va
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 08:12:45
by MarcSpaz
Nothing to special... my intention is to put a trigger group in a padded envelope or small box, go to a federally owned USPS retail location by my house and mail it to a non-FFL buddy of mine in Alabama.
What sucks is, even though in the US there are more Statutory Laws, Statutes at Large, Case Law, and Regulatory Code with the force of law... just at the federal level... that no one person could possibly read them all in their lifetime, the courts are fairly consistent in saying ignorance of the law is no excuse for violating it.
Trying to avoid an unscheduled vacation.

Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 08:48:59
by Chasbo00
As soon as you mention gun or even gun parts, you are likely to get a can't do that even though there is no law or regulation prohibiting shipping it. As you have said, folks just don't know and will tell you that you can't do it because that's the safe approach for them.
Remember that laws and regulations tell you what you can't do and seldom what you can do unless listing an exception to something that you can't do by law or regulation.
Maybe machine parts or something similar is how you should describe your shipment.
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 09:08:42
by trailrunner
I recently shipped my slide to Kimber to get new night sights installed. I wrapped it pretty well, so they didn't ask me what it was. But if they would have, I would have told that it was just a piece for a machine that needs to be repaired.
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 10:12:20
by wittmeba
No one can question your concerns. What I would do is go to the USPS and openly declare what you are shipping and package it there. If they know in advance it shouldn't be an issue if they accept the item and ship it. I would not hesitate at our local USPS office in New Castle, Va.
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 10:20:03
by allingeneral
I have done a lot of USPS shipping over the years, and anytime I have been asked for contents of my shipments, the description is one word... "Parts". This includes APO/FPO shipments with customs forms.
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 10:59:18
by MarcSpaz
Cool... very good feed back. Thanks!
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 19:00:03
by 0ne5hot
The Sig Sauer P320's trigger group is about the only trigger group that you can't ship.

Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 23:07:23
by Dooga
Why is that One5hot?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 08:58:33
by Ironbear
The P320's trigger group is part of a fire control "pack" that is serialized, therefore the pack is considered the "gun". This trigger pack can be dropped into several modular grip frames of varying sizes and calibers. For the P320, the frame/grip is just a "part".
Re: Shipping a Trigger Group In US Mail?
Posted: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:02:27
by 0ne5hot
Ironbear wrote:The P320's trigger group is part of a fire control "pack" that is serialized, therefore the pack is considered the "gun". This trigger pack can be dropped into several modular grip frames of varying sizes and calibers. For the P320, the frame/grip is just a "part".
+1