Thomas A. Bowers, a federally-licensed firearms maker based in Hillsboro, OR, told WorldNetDaily he was "shocked" in March to learn that the package carrier had such a policy, after a company official refused to ship a firearm—despite Bowers’ longstanding use of Airborne.
A spokesperson for the Airborne Express executive offices confirmed the policy to WorldNetDaily and added that she "had not heard" whether corporate officials were considering changing the directive.
The Airborne Express policy echoes that of United Parcel Service, which also prohibits the shipment of "firearms and firearms parts," including ammunition. However, UPS officials have since changed that policy, deciding instead to impose special mandatory shipping requirements on gun dealers and manufacturers, as well as higher rates.
UPS officials said it would accept firearms shipments under special conditions. Most rifle shipments are subject to normal rules, but handguns must be shipped overnight at an increased cost of $30 per parcel, a cost gun dealers and manufacturers have had to pass on to consumers.
The reason for the policy, both companies said, was due to the risks posed by employee theft—something corporate executives believe may put their companies at risk of lawsuits by third parties if the weapons are used illegally. But critics of the policy, including Bowers, have said if the companies "have employees they can’t trust," firearms makers should not be held liable.
For his part, Bowers has called for a nationwide boycott of Airborne, calling the policy "discriminatory ... against firearms manufacturers, dealers and owners."
Currently, Bowers said, Federal Express permits shipments of firearms, "but it’s strict; you have to use their automated tracking systems to ship" firearms.
Ironically, Bower said, "Airborne was accepting my firearms shipments until earlier this month (March)—but their policy is dated last October." He said he did over $200,000 worth of business last year, shipping all of his products via Airborne—"an account I would think they’d hate to lose," he added.