You’re driving down Southern Boulevard, the Florida sun is already doing that sticky thing it does by 9:00 AM, and you see the signs for the South Florida Fairgrounds. If you’ve lived in the area for more than a few months, you know the drill. The Palm Beach gun show—specifically the ones put on by outfits like Florida Gun Shows—is a local staple. It’s a weird, bustling, high-energy mix of seasoned collectors, first-time buyers looking for home defense, and people who just really like beef jerky.
Honestly, it’s not just a marketplace. It’s a subculture.
Most people walk in thinking they’re just going to see a few rows of Glocks and maybe some overpriced ammo. That’s rarely how it goes. You walk through those doors at the Expo Center, and the sheer volume of metal, polymer, and conversation hits you like a wall. It’s loud. It’s crowded. It’s uniquely Florida. But if you don't know the "rules of the road" for these specific events in West Palm, you’re probably going to overpay or, worse, get stuck in a paperwork nightmare you didn't see coming.
The Reality of Buying at a Palm Beach Gun Show
Let’s get the big thing out of the way: the "loophole." You’ve heard about it on the news, right? Well, in Palm Beach County, that narrative doesn't really hold water the way people think it does. Florida law allows for some private sales, but Palm Beach County has its own specific ordinances that are way stricter than the state baseline.
If you’re looking to buy a firearm at a Palm Beach gun show, you aren't just handing over cash and walking out with a rifle under your arm. Not legally, anyway. Because the show takes place on "property to which the public has the right of access," the county requires a criminal history background check and a waiting period for all firearm sales, even between private individuals who aren't licensed dealers.
That’s a three-day wait (excluding weekends and holidays).
So, if you see something you love on a Saturday morning, don't expect to take it home to celebrate. You’ll be making a trip to a local gun shop a few days later to pick it up after the background check clears. It’s a bit of a buzzkill for the impulse buyer, but it’s the reality of the local legal landscape. Dealers—the guys with the official booths and the yellow 4473 forms—will always run your check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
What’s Actually on the Tables?
It’s a massive variety. You’ll see the big names—Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Ruger—usually represented by large regional retailers like Shoot Straight. They bring the volume. They have the stacks of cases and the "show specials" that may or may not actually be cheaper than their website prices. (Pro tip: check their website on your phone while standing at the booth. Sometimes the "show price" is just the MSRP).
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Then you have the niche guys.
I’m talking about the collectors who specialize in Pre-64 Winchesters or those guys with the glass cases full of Nazi-era Lugers and weirdly specific military memorabilia. This is where the Palm Beach gun show actually gets interesting. You can find things here that haven't been in a "normal" retail store since the 1970s.
It isn't all guns, either.
- Custom Kydex holsters made on the spot.
- High-end kitchen knives that can shave the hair off your arm.
- Tactical flashlights that are basically portable suns.
- Stun guns that make that terrifying crack-crack-crack sound every five minutes to scare the tourists.
- Preparedness gear (the "prepper" corner is usually near the back).
The ammo situation is always a gamble. You’ll see bulk crates of 9mm or 5.56, but the pricing fluctuates wildly based on whatever the national news cycle is doing that week. Sometimes you find a deal on remanufactured brass; other times, you’re better off ordering online and paying the shipping.
The Social Protocol (And How Not to Get Kicked Out)
There is a very specific etiquette at these shows.
First off, safety is king. Every single gun coming through that door, whether it’s for sale by a dealer or carried by a patron looking to trade, gets "zip-tied" at the entrance. Security will check to ensure the chamber is empty and then run a plastic tie through the action so the gun cannot be fired. Don't touch that tie. If you’re caught with a "live" gun on the floor, you’re gone. No warnings.
When you’re at a table, never, ever point a firearm at another person. Even if the zip-tie is on. Even if you "know" it's empty. Point it at the floor or at the ceiling if you’re checking the sights. It’s the fastest way to earn the respect—or the immediate wrath—of the person behind the table.
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Talk to the vendors. Most of these guys are walking encyclopedias of ballistics and history. If you’re polite and actually know a little bit about what you’re looking at, they’re often willing to shave twenty or fifty bucks off a price, especially on Sunday afternoons when they really don't want to pack everything back into the trailer.
Why Palm Beach is Different from Miami or Orlando Shows
Location matters. The West Palm show attracts a very different crowd than the massive shows in Orlando or the smaller ones down in Miami. You get a lot of retirees from Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens who have some serious disposable income and are looking for high-end "safe queens."
Because of that, you’ll often see more premium brands—think Wilson Combat, Nighthawk Custom, or high-end over-under shotguns for clay shooting—than you might at a smaller rural show. The "floor" of the quality is just a bit higher here.
Also, the South Florida Fairgrounds is a decent venue. It’s air-conditioned (a literal lifesaver in July) and has enough parking, though you’ll probably have to walk a quarter-mile if you get there at noon.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
You’re going to spend more than just the sticker price on the gun.
There’s the admission fee, which usually hovers around $15 or $20. Then there’s the parking fee, which the Fairgrounds loves to collect. If you buy a gun, you’ll pay the FDLE background check fee (usually $5 or $8). And then, because of the Palm Beach waiting period, you have to factor in the gas and time to drive to a shop the following Wednesday to actually pick up your purchase.
Is it still worth it?
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For the experience, yes. For the ability to hold twenty different pistols in one hour to see which one fits your hand best? Absolutely. You can't get that kind of "hands-on" comparison shopping anywhere else.
Logistics for the Next Event
The shows usually run Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM.
If you want the best selection, you show up Saturday at 8:30 AM and wait in the humidity. The rare stuff—the oddball surplus rifles or the discounted used gems—is usually gone by lunch. If you want the best price, you show up Sunday at 2:30 PM. Dealers are tired, they’re thinking about the drive home, and they’d rather have your cash than the weight of the inventory.
Bring cash. While most big dealers take cards, they’ll almost always give you a "cash discount" because it saves them the 3% processing fee. Plus, if you’re dealing with a private collector, cash is the only language they speak.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit:
- Verify the Dates: Always check the official South Florida Fairgrounds calendar or the Florida Gun Shows website. These dates move around due to other events like the Fair or Barrett-Jackson.
- Bring Your ID: You cannot do anything without a valid Florida Driver’s License. If your address is a P.O. Box, you’ll need a secondary proof of residence like a vehicle registration or a property tax bill.
- Download a Price Checker: Have an app or a bookmarked site like GunBroker or WikiArms ready. Don't guess if a price is good; verify it.
- Check the Waiting Period Exceptions: If you have a Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License (CWFL), you can bypass the three-day waiting period for handguns in many cases, though county ordinances can still be tricky. Having your "Blue Card" or CCW is always a massive advantage.
- Eat Before You Go: Fairgrounds food is exactly what you think it is—expensive and greasy. There are plenty of spots on Southern Blvd to grab a real meal before you spend three hours walking the aisles.
You’re essentially entering a temporary museum where everything is for sale. Treat it with that level of respect, keep your finger off the trigger, and you’ll likely walk out with a better understanding of the local shooting community—and maybe a heavy box of ammo.