shipping my hand gun back to me from a family member in the US, what do I have to do?

Check USPS regulations

You can not use the US mail. Sending guns via the mail is illegal.

The safest way is to have your family member take it to a federally licensed firearm dealer there and have him ship it to one here, and you pick it up at the gun store.

The next best way is to call UPS, FEDEX or AIRBORNE and ask them how they do it. You will want it registered and require a signature upon delivery.

The last way is have your family member come to visit you and they can just stick it (unloaded) in one of their checked bags. They will have to tell the airline it is there, but most will not even blink.

Check with courior. some do not handle hand gun s . Same with post offices. Get permit to ship to a gun dealer in that town . Easiest way.

You don't state where you are.

I had a permit to carry in NY state, then moved to Massachusetts. At that time all I could get in MA was an FID (Firearms Identification Card) which allowed me to have my gun in my home, but not to carry. So I had to have my gun shipped from a licensed dealer in NYS to a licensed dealer in MA, at which point I had to find someone with a license to carry in MA to bring my gun from the dealer to my new home. A hassle, but it worked out okay. You need to contact the ATF to find out what the laws are with regard to your situation.