(Friday, October 15, 1999) — By now, you have no doubt heard that UPS has stopped shipping handguns through its cheaper “ground service.” The decision has sent shock waves through a gun industry that is already under fire from many cities that have launched frivolous lawsuits in an attempt to put them out of business.

“We’re trying to protect ourselves from employees stealing and criminals stealing,” said a spokesman from the company. However, UPS is continuing to ship long guns, rifles and shotguns by ground.

For years, UPS has handled up to 75% of guns sent from manufacturers to distributors and nearly all firearms shipped from distributors to dealers, says the executive director of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute.

The new decision by UPS certainly comes at a bad time, as the Christmas season looms just around the corner. Removing the ground service alternative for handguns will clearly raise the cost of those firearms and could amount to a “tax” of something like $30 for each handgun. While there were some early reports that a competitor such as RPS might fill the vacuum left by UPS, that option did not materialize. In fact, RPS instead announced they will no longer ship handguns by ground. Adding insult to injury, Airborne Express joined the mayhem by announcing it will no longer ship any firearms– period.

Speculation abounds as to the real motives behind the recent actions taken by UPS, RPS and Airborne Express. Some contend there is a clear anti-gun bias working here, and the intent is to increase the cost of handguns to consumers. Others, especially those in the mail industry, contend that they are subject to increased liability, and must somehow reduce the number of workers who handle the firearms in transit.

While it is certainly possible that some truth exists on both sides, one thing is for sure: anti-gun politicians have launched a campaign to demonize anyone who touches a firearm– specifically, anyone responsible for making guns or delivering them to the dealers who sell them to the public. As of this week, 28 cities and counties had unsheathed their litigious swords against the firearms industry. Even if the manufacturers and dealers win in court, simply financing their defense will greatly increase their cost of doing business.

And that’s the point. It does not matter that these suits have been almost universally unsuccessful. This month, judges in Cincinnati and Baltimore became the most recent magistrates to throw out such frivolous cases. Nevertheless, the other lawsuits continue, financed by public tax dollars. And there’s no guarantee that mail carriers will remain exempted from future lawsuits.

Several states have passed legislation that in one form or another will prevent or discourage cities from suing gun makers and sellers. But the lawsuits continue anyway; and will eventually cripple the gun industry if left unchecked. Thankfully, three Congressmen have introduced bills to put a stop to this (see item #1 below).

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Contact Information for UPS*

UPS Corporate Headquarters
United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
55 Glenlake Parkway, NE
Atlanta, GA 30328
Customer Service: 1-800-833-0056
E-mail: [email protected]

National Media Relations – Norman Black
Voice: 404-828-7593
Pager: 888-856-8816
E-mail: [email protected]

Reputation Management – Peggy Gardner
Voice: 404-828-6051
E-mail: [email protected]

Executive Communications – Steve Soltis
Voice: 404-828-4029
E-mail: [email protected]

Public Affairs – Tad Segal
Voice: 202-675-3381
E-mail: [email protected]

*Our thanks to Chris Stark of the Gun Owners Alliance for providing this contact information for UPS.

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