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). This is the 2026 list of gun shows by city, with 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.

Major Gun Shows in Alabama by City (2026 Schedule)

Alabama’s gun show calendar is anchored by a few large promoters who rotate through the state’s major venues. The schedule below reflects the typical annual pattern; always confirm dates, hours, and admission with the promoter before traveling. Schedules shift, and some shows cancel or reschedule.

Birmingham Gun Shows

• Birmingham Gun Show at the BJCC (Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex): One of the state’s largest shows, typically 300 to 500 tables. Usually held multiple times per year (winter, spring, fall). Dealers, collectors, ammunition, accessories, knives, and tactical gear. Free parking in some lots, paid in others.
• Birmingham Motorcycle and Gun Show: A crossover event combining powersports and firearms. Dates vary by year.
• Shelby County / Pelham area shows: Smaller weekend shows at the Pelham Civic Complex or local event halls. Good for local collectors and accessories.

Huntsville Gun Shows

• Huntsville Gun Show at the Von Braun Center (VBC): North Alabama’s largest show, 200 to 400 tables. Held several weekends per year. Strong mix of modern firearms, hunting rifles, reloading supplies, and militaria.
• North Alabama State Fairgrounds (Decatur area) shows: Mid-sized shows within 30 minutes of Huntsville, good for local buyers.

Mobile Gun Shows

• Mobile Gun Show at the Mobile Convention Center or Abba Shrine Temple: The largest show on the Gulf Coast, typically 200 to 400 tables. Strong hunting, fishing, and marine presence alongside firearms. Usually runs winter and fall weekends.
• Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds shows: Smaller weekend events, good for accessories and local FFLs.

Montgomery Gun Shows

• Montgomery Gun Show at the Garrett Coliseum or Montgomery Civic Center: Central Alabama’s main show, 150 to 300 tables. Mix of modern firearms, hunting gear, and collectibles. Held multiple weekends per year.
• Maxwell Air Force Base area (restricted): No public gun shows on base; nearby events are in downtown Montgomery.

Dothan Gun Shows

• Dothan Gun Show at the National Peanut Festival Facility: Southeast Alabama’s main show, 100 to 250 tables. Good hunting and ammo presence. Held several weekends per year, often January, March, and October.

Smaller and Regional Shows

• Albertville / Marshall County Gun Show: Small weekend show, good for local FFLs and accessories.
• Gadsden / Etowah County shows: Held at the Gadsden Convention Hall. Mid-sized, family-friendly.
• Florence / Lauderdale County shows: Northwest Alabama, small to mid-sized.
• Tuscaloosa shows: Held at the Tuscaloosa Multiplex or local event halls, typically 100 to 200 tables.
• Auburn / Opelika area: Smaller shows near the university, good for student-aged buyers (21+ for handguns).

Note: Schedules and venues change. The most reliable sources for current dates are the major promoters (such as Gun Show Trader, Show Technology, and local Alabama promoters) and the venue websites. Always verify before a long drive.

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?
The Birmingham gun show at the BJCC is among the largest, with up to 500 tables. The Huntsville show at the Von Braun Center is the largest in north Alabama.

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.

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