Order online, pick up at a licensed dealer in Buncombe County. Asheville sits in the Blue Ridge where the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers meet, ringed by Pisgah National Forest. Pistols ship to FFL dealers across Buncombe County.
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. Ammunition, optics and parts ship straight to your door where North Carolina law allows.
North Carolina dropped its pistol purchase permit in 2023, so buying a handgun or long gun from a dealer now means ATF Form 4473 and the federal NICS check at the counter, with no state waiting period. Federal dealer ages apply: 21 for handguns, 18 for rifles and shotguns. Online orders ship to the North Carolina FFL you pick.
Dealers in these communities all work for Asheville-area buyers:
Concealed carry in North Carolina still requires a concealed handgun permit from the sheriff of your home county, here the Buncombe County Sheriff, after an approved safety course; you must be 21. Open carry is generally legal where not posted. A permitless carry bill passed the legislature in 2025 but its veto override was not complete at our last check, so confirm the current rule with the sheriff.
North Carolina splits deer seasons into Eastern, Central, Northwestern and Western zones with different gun-season dates; in the Central zone the 2026-27 gun season runs November 14 to January 1. Rifles, shotguns, handguns and muzzleloaders are legal in gun season, with some county limits on rifles. Check the NCWRC regulations digest.
Deer, bear and turkey are hunted in Pisgah National Forest under North Carolina's Western deer season.
Pisgah's steep timber makes for hard deer hunting and long walks, so mountain hunters favor a light pistol on the belt.
The public ranges below are run or officially listed by state wildlife agencies and state forests near the cities we cover. Most ask for a hunting or fishing license, an access permit or a small daily fee, and some close for the season, so check the agency page before you drive out.
Source: State wildlife agency public range lists (Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia), September 2026. Distances are approximate; call or check the agency site before you drive out.
Yes. Order here, name a licensed FFL dealer in Weaverville, Black Mountain, Arden, Asheville or anywhere in Buncombe County, and we ship the firearm to them. You fill out ATF Form 4473 at their counter and they run the background check.
No. It was repealed in 2023. A dealer sale uses the federal background check.
The Buncombe County Sheriff, after an approved safety course. You must be 21.
Yes. Most clubs welcome carry pistols in Production or Carry Optics style divisions. Check the match rules.
Some states allow centerfire handguns for deer in firearms season if the cartridge meets a caliber or energy minimum, which usually rules out 9mm but not 10mm. Check your state's legal handgun list before you plan on it.
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.
General information, not legal advice. Rules current as of September 2026. See our buying guide and check with Buncombe County Sheriff or a local attorney about your own situation.