Shipping Guns

I mentioned a couple days ago my need to plan shipping guns and telescopes (both of which are typically much longer than wide). It turns out that interstate shipping is easier than I thought.  I checked with ATF:

"

May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity?

 Español

Yes. A person may ship a firearm to him 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 “in the care of” the out–of–state resident. Upon reaching its destination, persons other than the owner may not open the package or take possession of the firearm."

The abusecl potential is obvious.   But it means that i can ship our guns to my daughter when she arrives and take custody when we arrive.  Our son has graciously offered to drive our SUV with deranged puppies cross-country.  We will fly.

Ammunition is easy.  Much of it is in the boxes used to ship it to me. The rest I can box and UPS it all.

Telescopes remain an issue.   There are long boxes to fit the 5" refractor.   The 8" reflector is too big.  I may remove the mirror and all external hardware, then wrap it in bubble wrap to protect it.  For Big Bertha, I can remove the upper cage, andxmirror,  wrap the truss tubes, upper cage and lower cage in bubble wrap and put mirror in its shipping box.  This becomes several small packages.

UPDATE: A friend in California was just given custody of his children and is moving to Idaho.   This simplifies getting his arms and ammo free from the hassle of moving.