Gun Show FAQ

A gun show is a temporary event — usually held over a weekend at a fairground, convention center, armory, or civic hall — where licensed dealers, private collectors, and vendors rent tables to display and sell firearms, ammunition, optics, reloading supplies, knives, militaria, and outdoor gear. Most shows also draw services like gunsmithing, appraisals, engraving, and concealed-carry permit classes. Shows typically run Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday being the busiest day.

Admission is usually $8 to $15 per adult for a general-public show, and many promoters make the ticket good for both days of the weekend. Children under 12 are commonly free with a paying adult, and most promoters offer discounts for active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement, and first responders. Parking is usually free but can be $5 to $20 at big-city convention centers.

The most common schedule is Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. Some promoters add a Friday afternoon session or an early-bird hour for a higher ticket price. Always confirm hours on the individual show listing, since venue contracts and holiday weekends shift them frequently.

Estimates from promoter associations put the number between 2,000 and 5,000 events annually, concentrated in the Southeast, Texas, the Midwest, and the Mountain West. Volume peaks between September and April, when fairgrounds are cheaper and hunting season drives foot traffic; July and August are the slowest months in most states.

Large multi-state promoters include R.K. Shows, Crossroads of the West, Eastern Shows, Florida Gun Shows, C&E Gun Shows, Great American Promotions, and Tulsa Arms Show, alongside hundreds of regional operators and single-venue clubs. The Tulsa Arms Show in Oklahoma is generally considered the largest in the country by table count.

Any purchase from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) requires a Form 4473 and a NICS background check — the same paperwork required in that dealer's storefront. There is no federal exemption for sales made at a gun show. Rules for private, non-dealer sales vary: a growing number of states require all transfers to run through an FFL, and federal law now treats anyone 'engaged in the business' of dealing firearms as a dealer regardless of venue. Always verify the current rules for the state where the show is held.

Not directly. Under federal law a handgun must be transferred to you by an FFL in your state of residence, so an out-of-state purchase is shipped to a local FFL for pickup after a background check there. Long guns may generally be purchased in person from an FFL in another state if the sale is legal in both states.

Sometimes. Shows are strongest for used, discontinued, surplus, and collectible firearms; for consumables like ammunition, magazines, holsters, and reloading components; and for bulk deals near closing time on Sunday. New, in-production guns are often priced at or slightly above major online retailers once you add sales tax and admission. Bring a phone, check completed sale prices before you commit, and remember most tables take cash only or add a card fee.

Most promoters allow attendees to walk a firearm in to sell or trade, but nearly all require it to be unloaded and zip-tied at the door. Many dealers at the show will buy outright or take a trade-in; expect wholesale, not retail, pricing. Private party-to-party sales on the floor are prohibited by some promoters and by law in several states, so read the show's posted rules before you carry anything in.

Contact the promoter directly — table applications are usually handled by email or a form on the promoter's site, and popular shows sell out months ahead. Table fees typically run $60 to $150 each for a weekend, with discounts for multiple tables. Anyone selling modern firearms as a business needs a valid FFL on file with the promoter; collectors selling personal curios and relics face lighter requirements that vary by state.

Usually yes if you hold a valid permit recognized in that state and the venue itself allows it, but virtually every promoter requires carried firearms to stay holstered and untouched on the floor. Firearms brought in to sell must be unloaded and secured with a zip tie at the entrance. Government-owned venues, schools, and some convention centers post their own restrictions that override the promoter's policy.

Loose ammunition is prohibited at most shows, and loaded magazines are almost always turned away at the door. If you want to sell ammunition you generally need a table. Check the individual show's rules — a few promoters allow sealed factory boxes for trade.

Cash in small bills is still king; many tables either do not take cards or add a 3 to 4 percent fee, and ATM lines get long. Bring your driver's license or state ID, your carry permit if you have one, a bore light and small flashlight for inspecting barrels, a tape measure, a notepad or phone for tracking prices, a backpack or duffel for hauling purchases, and comfortable shoes. Big shows are several hours of concrete floors.

Yes. Nearly every show is family-friendly and children under about 12 usually get in free with an adult. Strollers can be difficult in packed aisles, and some venues restrict backpacks, so arrive early on Saturday or come Sunday morning if you want more room.

Ask before touching anything on a table, never point a firearm at anyone even when checking function, keep your finger off the trigger, do not dry-fire without permission, and hand a firearm back the way it was given to you. Haggling is expected but lowball offers on collectible pieces get a cold reception. Sunday afternoon is the best time to negotiate, because sellers would rather deal than pack.

Start with our state directory and drill down to your city — Guns.Show tracks upcoming shows in every state with dates, venues, and promoter details, refreshed weekly from public promoter announcements. If nothing is listed nearby this month, check adjacent states; most enthusiasts drive one to three hours for a large show.

Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina consistently host the highest number of events, thanks to large promoter networks and dense fairground infrastructure. California, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah anchor the West Coast and Mountain circuits.

The circuit runs heaviest from September through April. Fall shows line up with hunting season, and the January-to-March stretch is the busiest of the year in most states. Summer is the quietest period because venues are booked with fairs and outdoor events.

Frequently. Venue conflicts, weather, and permit issues move or cancel shows with little notice. We refresh listings weekly, but you should always confirm directly with the promoter before making a long drive or booking a hotel.

For collectors, hard-to-find parts, surplus, and face-to-face haggling, yes — a large show puts hundreds of sellers in one room, which no website can match for browsing. For a single new, in-production firearm at the lowest price, a local dealer or online retailer is often just as competitive. The other draw is the community: shows are where you meet local clubs, gunsmiths, instructors, and range operators.