Is it not legal to mail a long gun to a fellow resident without transfer?
May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?
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.
[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A); 27 CFR 478.31]
Last Reviewed September 23, 2016
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-nonlicensee-ship-firearm-through-us-postal-service
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.
[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A); 27 CFR 478.31]
Last Reviewed September 23, 2016
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-nonlicensee-ship-firearm-through-us-postal-service
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As a practical matter, I have used UPS for long guns also (you cannot use post office for pistols) because of insurance and less hassle.
You may run into a clerk that does not know the law and will insist you have to ship to an FFL.
You may run into a clerk that does not know the law and will insist you have to ship to an FFL.
I would not mail anything to California that remotely resembles a firearm.
If you are positive that it is an antique (manufactured in or before 1898) and if the recipient is allowed to possess a firearm (for instance, is not a convicted felon, doesn't abuse illegal drugs, etc) then it can indeed be shipped directly to the recipient CA, no FFL required.
