Key takeaway: Alabama hosts dozens of gun shows every year, from small one-day events to large 500-table weekend shows. Shows are legal venues for private in-state firearm sales (no background check required under Alabama law) and dealer sales (NICS check required). Below is the dated calendar of Alabama gun shows for October through December 2026, plus practical advice for buying and selling.

How Alabama Gun Shows Work

Gun shows in Alabama are typically weekend events held at fairgrounds, civic centers, and event halls. Most run Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday the busier day. Admission is usually $8 to $15, parking is often free, and children under 12 typically enter free with an adult. Shows mix licensed dealers (FFLs) selling new and used firearms with private collectors selling from tables or walking the floor with a for-sale sign.

The legal framework at an Alabama gun show is the same as anywhere else in the state:

• Dealer sales: Any purchase from a licensed dealer at a show requires a NICS background check and ATF Form 4473, exactly like buying at a gun store.
• Private sales: A private sale between two Alabama residents at a show requires no background check and no FFL, the same as a private sale anywhere in the state. See our safe selling guide for best practices.
• Out-of-state buyers: If you are not an Alabama resident, any firearm purchase (even private) must go through an FFL in your home state under federal law.

Some shows have begun offering voluntary background checks for private sales through a dealer on site. This is not required by Alabama law but is a reasonable practice, especially for higher-value transactions.

Upcoming Alabama Gun Shows: October - December 2026

This calendar lists Alabama gun shows scheduled for October through December 2026, compiled on September 18, 2026 from public show listings. Most shows run Saturday and Sunday. Promoters change dates and venues and sometimes cancel shows, and most promoters' own websites do not publish current dates, so always confirm with the promoter before you drive. We add shows as we can confirm them.

October 2026 Gun Shows

• Wetumpka Gun Show - October 3-4, 2026. Wetumpka Civic Center, Wetumpka. Promoter: A.G. Gun Shows.
• Alabama Gun Collectors Association Gun Show - October 10-11, 2026. Hoover Met Complex, Hoover (Birmingham area). Promoter: Alabama Gun Collectors Association. Confirmed on the association's own site. Ticket sales for entrance are cashless.
• Albertville Gun Show - October 17-18, 2026. Sand Mountain Amphitheatre, Albertville. Promoter: A.G. Gun Shows.
• Muscle Shoals Gun and Knife Show - October 24-25, 2026. North Alabama Fairgrounds, Muscle Shoals. Promoter: A.G. Gun Shows.
• Robertsdale Gun Show (CASC) - October 24-25, 2026. Baldwin County Fairgrounds, Robertsdale. Promoter: Collectors and Shooters Company.
• Decatur Gun Show - October 31 - November 1, 2026. Ingalls Harbor Pavilion, Decatur. Promoter: A.G. Gun Shows.

November 2026 Gun Shows

• Fort Payne Gun Show - November 7-8, 2026. DeKalb County VFW Fairgrounds, Fort Payne. Promoter: A.G. Gun Shows.
• Montgomery Gun Show (CASC) - November 7-8, 2026. Alcazar Shrine Center, Montgomery. Promoter: Collectors and Shooters Company.
• Trussville Gun and Knife Show - November 14-15, 2026. Trussville Civic Center, Trussville (Birmingham area). Promoter: A.G. Gun Shows.
• Mobile Gun Show (ABBA Shriners) - November 21-22, 2026. Abba Shrine Center, Mobile. Promoter: Abba Shriners.
• Millbrook Gun Show (CASC) - November 28-29, 2026. 17 Springs Fieldhouse, Millbrook (Montgomery area). Promoter: Collectors and Shooters Company.

December 2026 Gun Shows

• Cullman Gun Show (CASC) - December 5-6, 2026. The Omniplex, Cullman. Promoter: Collectors and Shooters Company.
• Mobile Gun Show (CASC) - December 12-13, 2026. Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds, Mobile. Promoter: Collectors and Shooters Company.
• Gadsden Gun and Knife Show - December 12-13, 2026. The Venue at Coosa Landing, Gadsden. Promoter: A.G. Gun Shows.
• Hoover Gun Show (CASC) - December 19-20, 2026. Hoover Met Complex (Finley Center), Hoover (Birmingham area). Promoter: Collectors and Shooters Company.
• Huntsville Gun and Knife Show - December 19-20, 2026. Cahaba Shrine Center, Huntsville. Listed admission: $8, or $5 for veterans.

Hours, Admission, and How to Confirm a Show

• A.G. Gun Shows (Wetumpka, Albertville, Muscle Shoals, Decatur, Fort Payne, Trussville, Gadsden): shows typically run Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with general admission listed at $10. Call 423-664-2715 or visit aggunshow.com.
• Alabama Gun Collectors Association (Hoover, October 10-11): see algca.org for current show information.
• Collectors and Shooters Company (CASC) (Robertsdale, Montgomery, Millbrook, Cullman, Mobile, Hoover): email [email protected] for hours, admission, and vendor tables.

Shows to double-check: listings for the Anniston Gun and Knife Show (October 31 - November 1, Anniston City Meeting Center, A.G. Gun Shows) conflict: at least one listing marks it cancelled while others still show it, so confirm with the promoter before planning a trip. Also note that the Huntsville show is at the Cahaba Shrine Center and the Montgomery show is at the Alcazar Shrine Center, not the larger arenas some older guides mention.

Cannot make a show? Browse Alabama firearms classifieds for guns, ammo, and gear from local buyers and sellers.

What to Buy (and Avoid) at an Alabama Gun Show

Gun shows are good venues for several categories of purchase:

• Used and collectible firearms: Collector tables often have older rifles, military surplus, and discontinued handguns that are hard to find online.
• Ammunition in bulk: Case-lot ammo pricing at shows can beat retail, especially for common calibers (9mm, 5.56/.223, .308).
• Accessories and optics: Holsters, scopes, mounts, and reloading components are often discounted.
• Knives and gear: Shows have large knife selections. See our Alabama Knife Laws guide for what is legal to carry.

What to be cautious about:

• Too-good prices: A deeply discounted modern handgun from a “private seller” may be stolen. Ask for a bill of sale and verify the seller’s Alabama ID.
• Counterfeit optics: High-end scope brands (EOTech, Trijicon, Aimpoint) are counterfeited. Buy from authorized dealers or verify serial numbers.
• Impulse buys: Shows create urgency. Know your budget and your local market price before you go.

Buying From a Dealer vs a Private Seller at a Show

If you buy from a licensed dealer table, expect a NICS background check (a few minutes if approved, longer if delayed) and a completed ATF Form 4473. You must be 21+ for a handgun, 18+ for a long gun, and not a prohibited person under federal or state law. See our first gun buying guide for the full process.

If you buy from a private seller (another Alabama resident) at a show, there is no background check and no paperwork required by state law. Best practice: exchange a simple bill of sale listing the firearm, serial number, date, and both parties’ signatures. Keep a copy. This protects you if the firearm is later reported stolen or used in a crime. See our safe selling guide for a bill of sale template.

Selling at an Alabama Gun Show

To sell at a show, you have two options:

• Rent a table: Promoters charge roughly $50 to $150 per table for the weekend. Good for selling multiple items or accessories.
• Walk the floor with a for-sale sign: Many shows allow private sellers to carry a firearm with a visible “For Sale” tag and negotiate on the floor. Check the specific show’s rules first — some restrict this.

For either approach, price with real market data (5 to 10 percent under retail usually moves fast), take honest photos if listing online afterward, and screen buyers to confirm they are Alabama residents and not obviously prohibited. You can also list items in the Yellowhammer Trader classifieds to reach Alabama buyers before and after a show.

Frequently Asked Questions: Alabama Gun Shows

Do I need a background check to buy a gun at an Alabama gun show?
Only if you buy from a licensed dealer. Private sales between two Alabama residents at a show require no background check.

How much does it cost to get into an Alabama gun show?
Typically $8 to $15 for adults, with children under 12 free with an adult. Parking is often free.

Can I sell a gun at a gun show in Alabama?
Yes. You can rent a table ($50 to $150) or, at many shows, walk the floor with a for-sale sign. Check the specific show’s rules.

Are Alabama gun shows cash only?
Most dealers accept cards, but private sellers usually prefer cash. Bring cash for the best private-sale deals.

What is the biggest gun show in Alabama?
Table counts are set by each promoter and are not consistently published, so we do not rank Alabama gun shows by size. See the calendar above for current shows and dates, and ask the promoter for a table count if size matters to you.

Can I bring my own gun into a gun show?
Most shows allow you to bring a firearm for sale, appraisal, or trade, but it must be unloaded and often zip-tied at the entrance. Check the show’s entry rules.

Where can I find guns for sale in Alabama outside of shows?
Browse the Yellowhammer Trader classifieds for firearms, ammunition, and accessories listed by Alabama sellers.

What to Bring to an Alabama Gun Show

Preparation makes a show visit more productive and safer. A short checklist:

• Cash: Most private sellers prefer cash, and some dealer-table deals are cash-priced. Bring small bills for admission and parking, and larger bills secured against your body for purchases.
• Alabama ID: You may need to prove residency for a private sale and will need it for any dealer NICS check. A driver license is the standard.
• A measured shopping list: Walk the full floor once before buying. The first table rarely has the best price, and prices are often negotiable late on Sunday.
• A tape measure and bore light: Useful for inspecting used rifles and handguns. A small flashlight helps check bore condition and barrel crowns.
• A rolling cart or tote: If you plan to buy ammunition, optics, or multiple accessories, a cart saves your back and your hands.
• A phone with market price apps: Cross-reference any asking price against current online retail and used-market data before you commit.

Gun Show Etiquette and Safety

Alabama shows enforce basic safety rules. Every firearm brought in or displayed must be unloaded, and most shows require the action to be zip-tied open at the entrance. Never hand a firearm to a buyer or seller with the action closed. Follow these norms to avoid being asked to leave:

• Keep muzzles pointed in a safe direction at all times, even when the gun is verified unloaded.
• Do not dry-fire firearms at a table without the seller’s permission; some sellers prohibit it on optics-equipped guns.
• Do not crowd a table or block aisles while negotiating; step back to let other attendees pass.
• Return any firearm you handle to the seller in the same condition you received it, action open and zip-tied if applicable.

Create Free Account

Browse Classifieds More Guides