Liberal Logic 28 Wrote:
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> Not without going through all the same procedures
> as a face to face buy. They also cannot mail you
> the gun. They can mail it to a gun dealer in your
> area, but unless you have a federal license to
> deal guns you cannot get guns in the mail.
>
> Try calling VA Arms or a gun store of your choice
> and ask to have the gun shipped to you. Let us
> know how that works out.
>
> By why let facts get in the way.
From
http://www.atf.gov/content/firearms-frequently-asked-questions-unlicensed-persons (answers slightly edited for brevity).
Q: To whom may an unlicensed person transfer firearms under the GCA?
A person may sell a firearm to an unlicensed resident of his State, if he does not know or have reasonable cause to believe the person is prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms under Federal law.
Q: 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. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.
Q: May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.
Assembling these three answers together, one can conclude:
1) It is perfectly legal for one Virginian to buy a gun from another Virginian who does not have a FFL, as long as the purchaser is not prohibited from buying or possessing a firearm.
2) It is perfectly legal for one Virginian to buy a gun from another Virginian who does not have a FFL and have the seller ship it via USPS, as long as it is not a handgun.
3) It is perfectly legal for one Virginian to buy a handgun from another Virginian who does not have a FFL and have the seller ship it via a common carrier, but the seller/shipper must inform the carrier that the package contains a handgun.
This is the Federal law, by the way. AFAIK there are no state laws in Virginia that prohibit sending guns through the mail or via common carrier.
So, here's my theoretical. I am a law-abiding person and not prohibited from owning a gun. I see an ad from someone who's selling a Glock 17 and they live in Norfolk. I send them the money, and they send me the gun via UPS, FedEx, DHL, or whatever method makes them happy. This is perfectly legal, and should be.
Would I actually buy a gun this way? Of course not, because I'd want to inspect it first and make sure it was in good condition.