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Manufactures of such knives or bona fide dealers
of such knives, in connection with a shipment
made under an order from any person listed
above.
Sharp-pointed or sharp-edged instruments that are
mailable may be accepted if properly wrapped and
packaged. These instruments include knives, tools, ice
picks, razor blades, and so forth. The points and sharp
edges must be wrapped to protect them from cutting or
punching through the outer container.
MARKING OF PARCELS
Any parcel containing firearms, ballistic or
switchblade knives, or controlled substances (narcotic
drugs) must NOT have any marking on the outside
wrapper or container that would indicate the nature of
the contents. For specific markings for other
hazardous materials, refer to Module C of the DMM.
FIREARMS
Among the articles that are mailable only under
special rules and regulations are firearms and, in
particular, concealable firearms. A firearm as defined
by the USPS is “any device, including a starter gun,
which is designed to or may readily be converted to
expel a projectile by the action of an explosion, spring,
or other mechanical action, or air or gas pressure with
sufficient force to be used as a weapon.” The rules and
regulations set down by the USPS and the Gun Control
Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-618) are rigid and may not
be adjusted to fit any special situation.
Handguns
The term handgun means any pistol or revolver
styled to be fired by the use of a single hand. Pistols,
revolvers, and other firearms capable of being
concealed on a person may only be mailed under
certain conditions. Short-barreled shotguns and
short-barreled rifles are also considered as capable of
being concealed on a person.
Handguns can only be mailed by a licensed
manufacturer of firearms, a licensed dealer, or an
authorized agent of the federal government or the
government of a state, district, or territory. Persons
authorized to receive handguns through the mail for
use in connection with official duties include the
following:
Officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast
Guard, Marine Corps, or organized Reserve
Corps
Officers of the National Guard or militia of a
state, district, or territory
Officers of the United States or of a state,
territory, or district whose official duty is to
serve warrants of arrest or commitment
Watchmen engaged in guarding the property of
the United States, a state, territory, or district
At a military post office the only person that may
legally receive a handgun is an officer of the U.S.
Armed Forces or a licensed dealer. The Navy
exchange officer may be a licensed dealer and,
therefore, would be authorized to receive and mail
handguns. Under no circumstances may any person
mail or receive a handgun for personal use.
Affidavits and Certificates
Before an authorized firearms manufacturer or
dealer may mail a handgun to an officer of the U.S.
Armed Forces, the officer is required to provide the
shipper with an affidavit. An affidavit for this purpose
is a signed statement that the addressee of the handgun
is authorized to receive it, and also, that the firearm is
for official use. In addition, the affidavit must bear a
certificate that the handgun is for official use of the
addressee and must be signed by the individual’s
commanding officer. The firearms dealer or
manufacturer must then file the affidavit and
certificate with the postmaster at the office of mailing.
A licensed firearms manufacturer or dealer must
file at the post office of mailing a PS Form 1508,
Statement by Shipper of Firearms. This form signed
by the shipper simply states that the shipper is a
licensed firearms dealer or manufacturer and that the
parcel contains a handgun or parts. If there is a
licensed firearm dealer located on the base, a PS Form
1508 must be presented at the time the dealer desires to
mail a handgun. An affidavit or certificate is not
required if a handgun is mailed by the command as an
official shipment. The Department of Defense has
ruled that members or officers of a rod and gun club
may NOT send nor receive handguns through the mail.
Rifles and Shotguns
Rifles and shotguns may be mailed without an
affidavit or certificate that is required for handguns.
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