Called Springfield Armory today to have the repair the front sight on my EMP4. After giving them the serial number they said I have to ship it back to them via an FFL and it will be shipped back to the same FFL. The reason they gave me was it’s a new law in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Called HPD and they said no law like that exists. Contacted BATFE here and got the same response that HPD gave me. Called SA back and told them they are in error and that it’s legal to ship the gun back as long as it’s registered here. They won’t budge and said the entire gun has to be shipped back so they can check POA with the new sight and they won’t accept just the slide.
Did I miss something?

Just to satisfy my curiosity I called Ruger and S&W and they said no FFL is required as long as it’s registered here and when repairs are complete it will ship directly back to me. I’ve shipped rifles and pistols back to the manufacturer before and had zero problems. 

Odd. I never had experience with SA but had repairs sent to Sig and same thing - no need for FFL.

Can you ask for a manager or like position?

I've send a handgun back to HK and Salient direct.  I think FedEx both times, but maybe UPS.  I think USPS needs to go through FFL, or something like that.  A buddy sent his Sig back direct as well. However, since the warranty remedy was a new gun with new serial number, it had to come back through FFL. 

Sucks that you need utilize the warranty.  Hope SA makes it right for you. 

Ask the Springfield armory guy to send you a copy of the new law.
Tell him to email it because we have computers in Hawaii ever since they installed electricity in the houses.

Can you ask for a manager or like position?

Ok CarenMyOil

I replied to 1 of their Emissery post what's up. I'll keep you posted.  They seemed to reply to the guy in CA and it not being approved so no can order.

Side note FN approved for LAPD use to replace the Glocks.  But yet it's not on the approved handgun list so regular people can't buy it.

Can you ask for a manager or like position?

After starting this thread I called SA and asked for a manager. He was somewhat belligerent and when I asked him if he could send me a copy of the “law” they are following he became a little irate. He went on to say that their legal advisors looked at Hawaii’s requirement and changed their policy, wished me a good day and hung up.
No worries though. I found a sight company named Dawson Sights who are very familiar with the EMP4 and can fix my POI/POA probs with their sights. Gonna go that route…
Guess SA now stands for “stupid assholes”

After starting this thread I called SA and asked for a manager. He was somewhat belligerent and when I asked him if he could send me a copy of the “law” they are following he became a little irate. He went on to say that their legal advisors looked at Hawaii’s requirement and changed their policy, wished me a good day and hung up.
No worries though. I found a sight company named Dawson Sights who are very familiar with the EMP4 and can fix my POI/POA probs with their sights. Gonna go that route…
Guess SA now stands for “stupid assholes”

Dawson Precision makes very nice stuff, spendy but very high quality. They are Cajun Gun Works go to if that is any indicator.

When I shipped my Sig to the factory for the voluntary P320 trigger upgrade, I checked on the shipping rules.

If shipping a handgun, you must use UPS, FedEx, or other commercial shipper if not going through an FFL.  If you use an FFL, they are allowed to use USPS to ship handguns.

If the handgun is going in for repairs and will be returned, you are not doing a transfer.  Therefore, no FFL is needed in the process at all.  If the factory or gunsmith doing the repairs has an FFL (is licensed), you're legally allowed to ship to them directly.

I used FedEx.  Can't use the FedEx drop locations like Kinkos or Mailboxes, Etc.  Had to drive to the main FedEx office on Lagoon Drive.

Anyway, the process was just as it's outlined on the ATF website and numerous gun related websites.

The one exception to this is in the return shipping.  If the gun can't be repaired, but is instead replaced, then that constitutes a transfer.  You'll need to have a local FFL take receipt, then do the whole Permit process to pick it up.  Different serial number = new transfer.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-nonlicensee-ship-firearm-common-or-contract-carrier

I've browsed the HRS 134 statute many, many times.  I've never seen anything there to suggest that Hawaii imposes any more restrictions on shipping of firearms than the federal government does.

Springfield Arms is up a hog's ass looking for a ham sandwich.   

When I shipped my Sig to the factory for the voluntary P320 trigger upgrade, I checked on the shipping rules.

If shipping a handgun, you must use UPS, FedEx, or other commercial shipper if not going through an FFL.  If you use an FFL, they are allowed to use USPS to ship handguns.

If the handgun is going in for repairs and will be returned, you are not doing a transfer.  Therefore, no FFL is needed in the process at all.  If the factory or gunsmith doing the repairs has an FFL (is licensed), you're legally allowed to ship to them directly.

I used FedEx.  Can't use the FedEx drop locations like Kinkos or Mailboxes, Etc.  Had to drive to the main FedEx office on Lagoon Drive.

Anyway, the process was just as it's outlined on the ATF website and numerous gun related websites.

The one exception to this is in the return shipping.  If the gun can't be repaired, but is instead replaced, then that constitutes a transfer.  You'll need to have a local FFL take receipt, then do the whole Permit process to pick it up.  Different serial number = new transfer.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-nonlicensee-ship-firearm-common-or-contract-carrier

I've browsed the HRS 134 statute many, many times.  I've never seen anything there to suggest that Hawaii imposes any more restrictions on shipping of firearms than the federal government does.

Springfield Arms is up a hog's ass looking for a ham sandwich.   

Yup… tried to tell them that the FFL requirement is if it ships via USPS and not with FEDEX or UPS. Me thinks since it’s warranty repair they give you a shipping label for USPS it has to go thru FFL which means $$ cost both ways. 

I hope nothing happens to my Springfield that I have to return for warranty.

I wonder if this is more of a CYA than a law.  With all the saber rattling to sue manufacturers, I could understand the extra precautions.


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I hope nothing happens to my Springfield that I have to return for warranty.

I wonder if this is more of a CYA than a law.  With all the saber rattling to sue manufacturers, I could understand the extra precautions.


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If they at least state it's CYA, then understandable.  But they're not.

A 1911 Operator was my 3rd draft choice. But I may have to rethink that now. 

Yup… tried to tell them that the FFL requirement is if it ships via USPS and not with FEDEX or UPS. Me thinks since it’s warranty repair they give you a shipping label for USPS it has to go thru FFL which means $$ cost both ways. 

If that's SA's policy, then I'd write a letter to the company officers to complain.  They are ignoring ATF rules for shipping handguns interstate, which places an additional burden and cost on you.  FFL fees are about $40 on average, which you'll owe if the gun is shipped to a local dealer for pick-up. 

I have a feeling SA is using the same process for repairs as they are for transfers of guns you buy from them.  That's simply wrong.  You shouldn't have to jump through the transfer hoops when you aren't doing a transfer.

Good luck.

If that's SA's policy, then I'd write a letter to the company officers to complain.  They are ignoring ATF rules for shipping handguns interstate, which places an additional burden and cost on you.  FFL fees are about $40 on average, which you'll owe if the gun is shipped to a local dealer for pick-up. 

I have a feeling SA is using the same process for repairs as they are for transfers of guns you buy from them.  That's simply wrong.  You shouldn't have to jump through the transfer hoops when you aren't doing a transfer.

Good luck.

Will write that letter. Hopefully there will be someone in charge at SA that will rectify this situation. In the meantime my slide is packed and going to Dawson Precision for new sights. Full adjustable rear and new front sights. Will cost $195 installed plus $20 shipping to Texas. Return shipping is included in the price. Turn around is 2-3 weeks. 

Will write that letter. Hopefully there will be someone in charge at SA that will rectify this situation. In the meantime my slide is packed and going to Dawson Precision for new sights. Full adjustable rear and new front sights. Will cost $195 installed plus $20 shipping to Texas. Return shipping is included in the price. Turn around is 2-3 weeks. 

Include a copy of your Dawson invoice with the letter.  Make sure they know they are losing business over that unwarranted policy.

Include a copy of your Dawson invoice with the letter.  Make sure they know they are losing business over that unwarranted policy.

Good idea!

Will write that letter. Hopefully there will be someone in charge at SA that will rectify this situation. In the meantime my slide is packed and going to Dawson Precision for new sights. Full adjustable rear and new front sights. Will cost $195 installed plus $20 shipping to Texas. Return shipping is included in the price. Turn around is 2-3 weeks. 

Yikes! 

But let me know how that work turns out with Dawson.  I want to get new sights for my RIA 1911 and like Dawson sights.  Just assuming 1911 sights need a bit more expertise than the sights on say my Glocks and PPQ.  Especially with the front sight dovetail.