From Birmingham, Huntsville and Montgomery to Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Auburn and the Wiregrass, Alabama buyers can order from JCM Armory and pick up at a nearby dealer. As a federal firearms licensee in Joppa, Maryland, we ship guns to licensed dealers in 49 states; California is the one exception.
How buying a gun online works in Alabama
- Pick your firearm and your dealer. Add the gun to your cart and choose a licensed Alabama dealer at checkout. Alabama has dealers in nearly every county; call first to confirm their transfer fee and hours.
- We send it to your FFL. Your dealer’s license goes on file with us, then the firearm ships directly to their counter, never to your home.
- NICS check and pickup. Show ID and complete ATF Form 4473; your Alabama dealer runs the FBI NICS check. Once you’re approved, inspect the firearm and take it home.
What to know about firearm transfers in Alabama
Federal dealer age limits apply: at least 21 for a handgun and at least 18 for a rifle or shotgun. Alabama is not a “point of contact” state, so dealers run background checks directly through the FBI’s NICS system.
Alabama has no permit-to-purchase or firearm registration. Since January 1, 2023, eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a permit; county sheriffs still issue the optional Alabama pistol permit.
College students. Under a long-standing ATF ruling, a college student is a resident of the state where they live while at school. Out-of-state students living in Tuscaloosa, Auburn or Huntsville during the school year can generally buy from an Alabama dealer, with proof of their Alabama address.
This page is a general overview, not legal advice. Federal, state and local laws change, and it’s up to each buyer to follow them. When in doubt, ask your Alabama FFL. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Shipping and fees
- No shipping charge on any firearm priced $300+.
- No shipping charge on ammo orders of $750+ in ammunition.
- Smaller orders: $15 flat. Firearms and ammo are packed and shipped separately.
- Hazmat items (powder and primers): $40 fee per order.
- Your Alabama dealer charges their own transfer fee at pickup.
What Alabama customers shop for
- Bolt-action rifles and rifle ammo for deer
- Shotguns for turkey, dove and ducks
- Handguns and holsters
- AR rifles for hogs
- Optics and magazines
- Shotgun shells
Alabama seasons and bag limits are set by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. Check the current regulations before you hunt.
Picking a hog and deer rifle
Many Alabama hunters want one rifle that handles both deer stands and hog control. A semi-auto AR in a heavier caliber such as .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor, or a bolt-action in the same chamberings, covers both. For night hog hunting on private land, plan your optic early: thermal and night-vision scopes need compatible mounts, and many hunters run a light, short-barreled setup for thick cover. Check ADCNR rules on night hunting and legal methods before you build a rig for it.
Before you order in Alabama
Alabama has one of the longest deer seasons in the country, set by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, with the gun season running from late fall into early February in many zones. That gives Black Belt and Wiregrass hunters time to order a new rifle well before the rut. Buyers in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and Dothan have many dealers, and service members and contractors at Redstone Arsenal or Fort Rucker can buy with proof of their Alabama duty station or address. Gulf Coast humidity is hard on blued steel, so add a cleaning kit and rust preventive to your order.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to buy a gun in Alabama?
No. Alabama has no permit-to-purchase. You complete ATF Form 4473 and an FBI NICS check at your dealer.
I’m an out-of-state student in Alabama. Can I buy a handgun here?
Under ATF’s ruling, students are residents of the state where they live while at school, so you generally can, with proof of your Alabama address. Your dealer makes the final call.
Can a gun be shipped to my house in Alabama?
No. Firearms ship only to a licensed FFL dealer, where you complete the paperwork and background check before pickup.
How is shipping priced?
Free on firearms priced $300 or more, free on ammo once you hit $750 in ammunition, and $15 flat on everything else. Powder and primers add a $40 hazmat fee.
Do you ship to every state?
We ship firearms to local FFL dealers in 49 states. We do not ship to California.