“A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The individual right to keep and bear arms shall not be denied or infringed by the state or political subdivision of the State.”
AT A GLANCE
Alaska is a shall-issue, constitutional carry state. There is no firearms registration, no permit is required to purchase firearms and no background check is required to buy a handgun from a private individual. Open carry is legal in Alaska for any person who is legally allowed to possess a firearm. Concealed carry is legal for anyone at least 21 years of age who can legally possess a firearm — a permit is not required. Alaska is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” law. Any person who uses a gun in self-defense has immunity from criminal and civil law.
Reciprocal Carry
By statute in Alaska, anyone 21 or older may legally carry a firearm, and also carry it concealed, without having to have a state-issued permit. However, Alaskans must obtain a concealed carry permit for purposes of reciprocal carry.
Alaskan statutes direct that a person holding a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun from another state, or political subdivision of another state, is treated just as an Alaskan permittee (except for licenses from Idaho, which Alaska requires they be Enhanced). However, the legislature requires the Department of Public Safety to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states so that Alaskans are afforded the same rights to carry a handgun in other, reciprocal states.
Not all states have reciprocity with Alaska. Therefore, it is critical to verify the current status of reciprocity between the states in advance of this carry. Alaska’s most current reciprocity information may be referenced online.
Duty To Notify Police Officer
A person otherwise lawfully carrying a concealed handgun, commits an illegal act if he/she fails to immediately inform a peace officer that he/she is carrying a concealed handgun or fails to allow the officer to secure the weapon or fails to secure the weapon at the direction of the peace officer. It is a felony for a federal official or agent to enforce new restrictions on gun ownership.
Carrying Firearms In Vehicles
Alaska permits anyone who may legally possess a firearm to possess a firearm while operating a motor vehicle, or to store a firearm in a locked motor vehicle when it is parked.
An employer or its agent may, however, prohibit firearm possession within a secured restricted area, in a vehicle owned, leased, or rented by the employer or its agent, or in a parking lot owned or controlled by the employer within 300 feet of the secured restricted area.
Constitutional Carry
Alaska permits anyone who is at least 21 years old and may legally possess a firearm to carry a handgun without a permit, openly or concealed.
NFA Items
Alaska permits the ownership of all NFA items, provided they are legally obtained pursuant to federal law. Hunting with suppressors is legal. CLEOs are required to sign an application for the transfer of any item regulated under the NFA within 30 days if the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving it.
Self-Defense Laws
Alaska has both Castle Doctrine and SYG laws. There is no duty to retreat when attacked in any place You have a legal right to be, and You may use deadly force in self-defense if You reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or SBI, to prevent kidnapping, robbery, burglary, or forcible rape, or to stop the unlawful & forcible entry into Your dwelling, residence, or occupied motor vehicle.
Carry In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol
In Alaska, a person commits the crime of misconduct involving weapons in the fifth degree if the person knowingly possesses a loaded firearm in any place where intoxicating liquor is sold for consumption on the premises. Note: it may be an affirmative defense if the firearm is a concealed handgun, the possession occurred at a place designated as a restaurant, and You did not consume any alcohol. The general rule is that You are prohibited from carrying while consuming alcohol or while under the influence of alcohol.
Do “No Gun Signs” Have The Force Of Law?
If a property or establishment has a “No Guns” sign or the person in lawful possession communicates to you that guns are not allowed, you are prohibited from carrying on the property or into the establishment. Failure to obey such signs or verbal warnings constitutes trespass.
Open Carry
Open carry is legal in Alaska. Individuals who are legally allowed to possess a firearm may open carry without a permit/license. The minimum age for open carry is 21.
DISCLAIMER: The Gun Laws by State Guide (GLBSG) was created to provide its readers with a general educational resource tool to explore the pertinent gun laws in Your jurisdiction.
However, the GLBSG was not researched and/or written by attorneys as a specific legal guide to rely upon. Instead, it is a starting point for your own research. In addition, all laws are always subject to reasonable, but different, legal interpretation as to meaning and application.
As such, the GLBSG is not intended to supplant, nor limit, Your need for independent verification of any and all material contained herein and consultation with competent counsel of choice regarding any specific issues.
This type of specific legal analysis is necessarily beyond the general educational objective of the GLBSG and for which a bar-admitted attorney in the particular state(s) is needed and required. The content of this GLBSG is a general restatement of the law.
Nothing on this website, or any other content by Our Second Right, is a promise or guarantee of results and we do not offer any legal, or other professional advice. Use caution and always consult your legal professional before acting on any information related to Your state’s gun laws. You alone are responsible and accountable for your decisions, actions and results in life, and by consuming any content by Our Second Right you agree not to attempt to hold us liable for your decisions, actions or results, at any time, under any circumstance.