Gun shop Athens, Alabama
Order online, pick up at a licensed dealer in Limestone County. Athens and Limestone County sit between Huntsville and the Tennessee line, with farmland, river bottoms and a state-run range close to town.
CountyLimestone
Pistol permitsLimestone County Sheriff
Deer zoneZone A
State rangeIn the county
How buying a gun in Athens works
Pick an FFL dealer near you that accepts shipped transfers and name it at checkout. We confirm their license and ship the firearm to them. At the counter you fill out Form 4473 and the dealer runs the federal background check. Alabama adds no purchase permit, no registration and no waiting period. Ammunition, optics and parts ship straight to your door.
Dealers in these communities all work for Athens-area buyers:
- Ardmore
- Elkmont
- Tanner
- Lester
- Mooresville
- Belle Mina
- East Limestone
Carrying and pistol permits in Limestone County
Since January 1, 2023 Alabama has permitless carry: anyone 19 or older (18 for active military, veterans and law enforcement) who can legally own a handgun may carry it concealed without a permit. A pistol permit is still worth having if you travel, because many other states honor an Alabama permit but not permitless carry. In Limestone County permits are issued by the Limestone County Sheriff's Office; each county sets its own fees and permit lengths, and many offer lifetime permits. See our Alabama pistol permit guide.
Deer season near Athens, 2026-27
Limestone County is in deer Zone A. Gun deer season opens November 21, 2026 and runs to February 10, 2027 on privately owned or leased land; on open public land the dates are split between bucks-only and either-sex periods.
The Swan Creek WMA range, in Limestone County, is one of the state's public ranges. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge lies along the river to the south-east.
Public shooting ranges near Athens
Alabama's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources runs twelve public shooting ranges. These are the closest to Athens. Residents aged 16 to 64 need a valid hunting, heritage, fishing or WMA license to use them.
- Swan Creek WMA RangeADCNRLimestone County · Shotgun, rifle, pistol, muzzleloader
About 10 miles · 256-353-2634 - Skyline WMA Shooting RangeADCNRJackson County · Shotgun, rifle, pistol
About 45 miles · 256-587-3114 - Freedom Hills WMA RangeADCNRColbert County · Shotgun, rifle, pistol, archery
About 50 miles · 256-353-2634
Source: Outdoor Alabama public shooting range directory, September 2026. Distances are approximate; call before you drive out.
Deer rifles for Athens
Deer season guide →Ships to FFL
Springfield Armory
★ 4.9 (13)
$2125.76
Caliber: 7.62x51 NATO, .308 Win | Capacity: 10
Ships to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.7 (13)
$855.01
Caliber: 7.62x51 NATO, .308 Win | Capacity: 10
Ships to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.9 (12)
$785.44
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield | Capacity: 4
Ships to FFL
Mossberg
★ 5.0 (11)
$789.46
Caliber: 7.62x51 NATO, .308 Win | Capacity: 4
Ships to FFL
Mossberg
★ 5.0 (11)
$570.96
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield | Capacity: 5
Ships to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.6 (11)
$511.74
Caliber: .308 Win | Capacity: 5
Ships to FFL
Mossberg
★ 4.9 (10)
$580.74
Caliber: .270 Winchester | Capacity: 5
Ships to FFL
Mossberg
★ 5.0 (9)
$457.11
Caliber: .450 Bushmaster | Capacity: 4
Carry pistols for Athens
Carry guide →Ships to FFL
Ships to FFL
Ruger
★ 4.7 (52)
$327.74
Capacity: 6 | Barrel Length: 2.75
Ships to FFL
Smith & Wesson
★ 4.8 (47)
$487.01
Capacity: 13 | Barrel Length: 3.1
Ships to FFL
Smith & Wesson
★ 4.9 (46)
$480.69
Capacity: 8 | Barrel Length: 3.1
Ships to FFL
Ruger
★ 4.9 (44)
$290.36
Capacity: 12 | Barrel Length: 3.2
Ships to FFL
Smith & Wesson
★ 4.7 (43)
$458.85
Capacity: 12 | Barrel Length: 2.75
Ships to FFL
Smith & Wesson
★ 5.0 (42)
$458.85
Capacity: 12 | Barrel Length: 2.75
Ships to FFL
Buying a gun in Athens: common questions
Can I buy a gun online and pick it up in Athens?
Yes. Order here, name a licensed FFL dealer in Ardmore, Elkmont, Tanner, Athens or anywhere in Limestone County, and we ship the firearm to them. You fill out ATF Form 4473 at their counter and they run the federal background check.
Do I need a permit to buy a gun in Alabama?
No. Alabama has no purchase permit, no gun registration and no waiting period. You need to be 21 to buy a handgun from a dealer and 18 for a rifle or shotgun, under federal law.
Do I need a pistol permit to carry in Limestone County?
No. Since January 1, 2023 anyone 19 or older (18 for active military, veterans and law enforcement) who can legally own a handgun may carry it concealed without a permit. Many people still get one from the Limestone County Sheriff's Office because other states honor it.
Can I hunt deer with a rifle in Limestone County?
Limestone County is in deer Zone A. Gun deer season opens November 21, 2026 and runs to February 10, 2027 on privately owned or leased land; on open public land the dates are split between bucks-only and either-sex periods.
What does an FFL transfer cost in Athens?
Each dealer sets its own fee, commonly $20 to $75. Call before you order to confirm the price and that they accept firearms shipped from an online store.
How many bucks can I take in Alabama?
Three per hunter across all seasons combined, and one of them must have at least 4 points of 1 inch or longer on one antler (Barbour County has its own antler rule). Report every deer through Game Check.
Nearby cities
All 22 cities →More Alabama guides
General information, not legal advice. Rules current as of September 2026. See our Alabama gun law overview and ask an Alabama attorney about your own situation.