Alaska Concealed Carry Laws & Information

We try to stay as up to date as possible, but always check with local law enforcement to be sure about which states honor your states permit.

The following states have permitless carry. This means that if you can legally possess a firearm in that state you can carry it concealed without a permit/license. You still have to abide by all conceaeled carry laws in that state. Please note that the last three states only allow residents to carry without a permit/license. Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia, Idaho (Residents Only), North Dakota (Residents Only), Wyoming (Residents Only).

Information compiled from various state government and private sites from around the web.

Reciprocity: How This State Honors Other States Permits & Licenses

Alaska Honors all other states Permits or Licenses and Alaska is informing Idaho that they will only honor the Idaho Enhanced Permit. The Link to the Statement is here.

In Alaska, any one who can legally possess a firearm can carry it concealed without a Permit/License. (Must be 21 Years of Age)

AS 18.65.748. Permit Holders From Other Jurisdictions Considered Alaska Permit Holders.

A person holding a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun from another state or a political subdivision of another state is a permittee under AS 18.65.700(b) for purposes of AS 18.65.755 - 18.65.765. To view the signed agreements that Alaska has, go here and click on Agreement out from states name.

Permitless Carry

AS 11.61.220. Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Fifth Degree.

(a) A person commits the crime of misconduct involving weapons in the fifth degree if the person

(1) is 21 years of age or older and knowingly possesses a deadly weapon, other than an ordinary pocket knife or a defensive weapon,

(A) that is concealed on the person, and, when contacted by a peace officer, the person fails to

(i) immediately inform the peace officer of that possession; or
(ii) allow the peace officer to secure the deadly weapon, or fails to secure the weapon at the direction of the peace officer, during the duration of the contact;

(B) that is concealed on the person within the residence of another person unless the person has first obtained the express permission of an adult residing there to bring a concealed deadly weapon within the residence;

(2) knowingly possesses a loaded firearm on the person in any place where intoxicating liquor is sold for consumption on the premises;
(3) being an unemancipated minor under 16 years of age, possesses a firearm without the consent of a parent or guardian of the minor;
(4) knowingly possesses a firearm

(A) within the grounds of or on a parking lot immediately adjacent to an entity, other than a private residence, licensed as a child care facility under AS 47.32 or recognized by the federal government for the care of children, except that a person 21 years of age or older may possess an unloaded firearm in the trunk of a motor vehicle or encased in a closed container of a motor vehicle;

(B) within a

(i) courtroom or office of the Alaska Court System; or

(ii) courthouse that is occupied only by the Alaska Court System and other justice-related agencies; or

(5) [Repealed, Sec. 7 ch 54 SLA 2013].
(6) is less than 21 years of age and knowingly possesses a deadly weapon, other than an ordinary pocket knife or a defensive weapon, that is concealed on the person.

(b) In a prosecution under (a)(6) of this section, it is an affirmative defense that the defendant, at the time of possession, was

(1) in the defendant's dwelling or on land owned or leased by the defendant appurtenant to the dwelling; or

(2) actually engaged in lawful hunting, fishing, trapping, or other lawful outdoor activity that
necessarily involves the carrying of a weapon for personal protection.

(c) The provisions of (a)(2) and (4) of this section do not apply to a peace officer acting within the scope and authority of the officer's employment.
(d) In a prosecution under (a)(2) of this section, it is

(1) an affirmative defense that

(A) [Repealed, Sec. 7 ch 62 SLA 2003].

(B) the loaded firearm was a concealed handgun as defined in AS 18.65.790; and

(C) the possession occurred at a place designated as a restaurant for the purposes of AS04.16.049 and the defendant did not consume intoxicating liquor at the place;

Please do note that as long as you inform any Officer who approaches you on official business and you allow the Officer to secure the firearm if they wish, you do not need a permit/license to possess that defensive firearm.

How to Apply for an Alaska Concealed Carry Permit

Posted on 2/28/13, the newly issued Alaska Permit/Licenses to Carry make the holder NICS Exempt when buying firearms. To find out how to make your AK Permit/License NICS Exempt, go here.

The Alaska State Police Issue all Permit/Licenses.

License Term: 5 Years

A non-refundable application fee of $87.00 payable by personal check, cashier’s check or money order made out to the State of Alaska.

Information and instructions on How to apply can be found here.

AS 18.65.700. Requirements in Applying Permit to Carry a Concealed Handgun.

(a) The department shall issue a permit to carry a concealed handgun to a person who

(1) applies in person at an office of the Alaska State Troopers;
(2) qualifies under AS 18.65.705 ;
(3) submits on an application form approved by the department the information required under AS 18.65.705 and 18.65.710; the department shall post on the department's website the state laws and regulations relating to concealed handguns, which must include a concise summary of where, when, and by whom a handgun can be carried under state and federal law and shall, on request, mail a copy of the regulations and summary to an applicant or permittee;
(4) submits two complete sets of fingerprints on Federal Bureau of Investigation approved fingerprint cards that are of sufficient quality so that the fingerprints may be processed; the fingerprints must be taken by a person, group, or agency approved by the department; the department shall maintain a list of persons, groups, or agencies approved to take fingerprints and shall provide the list to the public upon request; the fingerprints shall be used to obtain a report of criminal justice information under AS 12.62 and a national criminal history record check under AS 12.62.400 ;
(5) submits evidence of successful completion of a handgun course as provided in AS 18.65.715 ;
(6) provides one frontal view color photograph of the person taken within the preceding 30 days that includes the head and shoulders of the person and is of a size specified by the department;
(7) shows a valid Alaska driver's license or identification card at the time of application;
(8) does not suffer a physical infirmity that prevents the safe handling of a handgun; and
(9) pays the application fee required by AS 18.65.720 .

(b) The department shall either approve or reject an application for a permit to carry a concealed handgun under (a) of this section within 30 days of receipt of the application. If the department has not received necessary fingerprint eligibility information from another agency by the end of this 30-day period, and the applicant is otherwise eligible, the department shall issue a conditional permit to the applicant subject to immediate revocation under the procedure provided in AS 18.65.740(a) - (c) if the fingerprint information subsequently discloses that the applicant is ineligible for a permit. The department shall notify the applicant in writing of the reason for a rejection.

(c) A person whose application is rejected under this section may appeal the rejection decision to the commissioner. A person may seek judicial review of the decision of the commissioner under AS 44.62.560 - 44.62.570.
(d) A permit issued under (a) of this section expires on the person's birthday in the fifth year following issuance of the permit. The department may adjust the length of an initial permit so that a permit is not issued for a period of more than five years.
(e) The department shall issue a permit to carry a concealed handgun to an honorably retired peace officer of this state who applies for a concealed handgun permit within one year of the officer's retirement and who satisfies the requirements of this subsection. To qualify for a permit under this subsection, an honorably retired peace officer must satisfy (a)(1) - (3) and (6) - (9) of this section and, unless the honorably retired peace officer has qualified with a handgun within five years of the officer's retirement, must also satisfy (a)(5) of this section. The department may not require an honorably retired peace officer applying under this subsection to comply with (a)(4) of this section to receive a permit. The department shall issue the permit without submitting information to or receiving permit eligibility information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The department may adopt regulations to define an "honorably retired peace officer" and the evidence that must be submitted to establish eligibility under this subsection.

How to Obtain A Non-Resident Alaska Concealed Carry Permit

Alaska Does not issue Non-Resident Permits.

Places You Can Not Carry Even With an Alaska Concealed Carry Permit

AS 11.61.220

A public or private school for grades K-12, including the school grounds, parking lot or on a bus while used for a school sponsored activities, unless the person carrying the firearm has the permission of the chief administrative officer of the school or the school district. Do note that a person 21 years of age or older who is not a student may possess an unloaded firearm in the trunk of a motor vehicle or encased in a closed container of a motor vehicle.
Any place where intoxicating liquor is sold for consumption on the premises, except a restaurant where the person carrying the firearm did not consume intoxicating liquor.
Any licensed child care facility if the facility is other than a private residence.
Within a courtroom or office of the Alaska Court System, or within a courthouse that is occupied only by the Alaska Court System and other Justice-related agencies.
Within a domestic violence or sexual assault shelter that receives funding from the state.
Within another person's residence, unless the person carrying the firearm has first obtained the express permission of an adult residing there to bring the firearm into the residence.

7 AAC 10.1080. Firearms and ammunition

(a) Firearms and ammunition are prohibited in an assisted living home licensed for six or more residents, and in a child care center, a residential child care facility, and a maternity home.

Note that if you have been informed that Municipal Buildings can ban firearms in “Prohibited Areas” of their buildings, this may likely fall under Places Off Limits pertaining to “Other Justice-Related Agencies” which could be Municipal Courts, etc. If you can’t find in Alaska Statutes or Administrative Code, be cautious. If they do prohibit firearms, they have to be posted.

Open Carry (Without a Valid Permit/License)

Open Carry is legal in Alaska. Alaska also requires all those carrying in a vehicle to inform an Officer that approaches you on any official contact to inform them that you are carrying a firearm. Places as listed in the “Places Off Limits” above apply to those who open carry. See the “RV/Car Carry Without a Permit” section for carrying in a vehicle.

The state preempts all firearm laws in the state and local authorities can’t have Laws/Ordinances against open carry. Remember that if you enter any property and the owner/responsible person ask you to leave you must leave. Failure to leave can result in Trespass Charges. The Minimum age for Open Carry is lower than 18 but federal law states that those under 18 can’t possess a firearm.

Open Carry could be forbidden in places where those with a valid permit/license can carry, please continue reading for more.

RV/Car Carry Without an Alaska Concealed Carry Permit

Any person who can legally own a firearm can carry a loaded handgun openly or concealed in a vehicle in Alaska. You must inform any Law Enforcement Office who stops you for any official business that you are carrying a firearm. The Office can take charge of the firearm till the stop is over or instruct you to secure it somewhere else in the vehicle. Failure to inform any Law enforcement Officer and follow his lawful orders on securing the firearm is in violation of the law.

“No Gun Signs” Have the Force of Law

13 AAC 30.110. Notification of Places Where Concealed Handguns May Not Be Carried

(b) Nothing in this chapter or in AS 18.65.700 - 18.65.790 precludes a person from posting, to the extent allowed by law, a notice regarding the carrying of a concealed handgun.

Laws Regarding Parking Lot Storage

AS 18.65.800. Possession of Firearms in Motor Vehicles.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the state, a municipality, or a person may not adopt or enforce a law, ordinance, policy, or rule that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting an individual from possessing a firearm while that individual is within a motor vehicle or prohibiting an individual from storing a firearm that is locked in the individual's motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is otherwise legally parked in or on state or municipal property or another person's property. This section applies only to possession of a firearm by an individual who may legally possess a firearm under state and federal law.
(b) This section does not limit a person's rights or remedies under any other law.
(c) The state, a municipality, or a person is not liable for any injury or damage resulting from the storage of a firearm in the vehicle of another individual in accordance with this section.
(d) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, an employer or its agent may prohibit the possession of firearms within a secured restricted access area, as defined in AS 29.35.145 (e)(2), 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 access area that does not include common areas of ingress and egress open to the general public. The employer or its agent shall post conspicuous notice of the prohibition against possession of firearms at each entrance to the restricted access area and affected parking area.

State Preemption

AS 18.65.778. Municipal Preemption.

A municipality may not restrict the carrying of a concealed handgun.

Laws Regarding Deadly Force

Title 11. Criminal Law Chapter 81. General Provisions
Section 300. Justification: Defense.
Section 320. Justification: Necessity.
Section 330. Justification: Use of Non-deadly Force in Defense of Self.
Section 335. Justification: Use of Deadly Force in Defense of Self.
Section 340. Justification: Use of Force in Defense of a Third Person.
Section 350. Justification: Use of Force in Defense of Property and Premises.
Section 370. Justification: Use of Force by a Peace Officer in Making an Arrest or Terminating An Escape.
Section 380. Justification: Use of Force by Private Person Assisting an Arrest or Terminating An Escape.
Section 390. Use of Force by a Private Person in Making Arrest or Terminating an Escape.
Section 400. Justification: Use of Force in Resisting or Interfering With Arrest.
Section 410. Justification: Use of Force by Guards.
Section 420. Justification: Performance of Public Duty.
Section 430. Justification: Use of Force, Special Relationships.
Section 440. Duress.
Section 450. Entrapment.

Laws Regarding Chemical Sprays, Stun Guns, and Higher Capacity Magazines

AS 11.81.900. Definitions.

(20) "defensive weapon" means an electric stun gun, or a device to dispense mace or a similar chemical agent, that is not designed to cause death or serious physical injury;

AS 11.61.210. Misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree.
(a) A person commits the crime of misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree if the person

(7) other than a preschool, elementary, junior high, or secondary school student, knowingly possesses a deadly weapon or a defensive weapon, without the permission of the chief administrative officer of the school or district or the designee of the chief administrative officer, within the buildings of, on the grounds of, or on the school parking lot of a public or private preschool, elementary, junior high, or secondary school, on a school bus while being transported to or from school or a school-sponsored event, or while participating in a school-sponsored event, except that a person 21 years of age or older may possess

(A) a deadly weapon, other than a loaded firearm, in the trunk of a motor vehicle or encased in a closed container in a motor vehicle;
(B) a defensive weapon;

Airport Carry and Other Misc. Information

Airport Carry: Parking Lot OK Terminal ? See Admin Rule 17 AAC 42.065.

Training Valid for: 12 Months

Time Period to Establish Residency: 90 Days

Minimum Age for Permit/License: 21

Permit/License Info Public Information: YES

State Reciprocity/How They Honor Other States Statute: AS 18.65.748.

State Fire arm Laws: AS 18.65.700 to .870 AS 11.61.190 to .220 AK Admin Code: 13-30-10 to 900

State Deadly Force Laws: 11.81.300 thru 11.81.450

State Knife Laws: AS 11.61.210

Chemical/Electric Weapons Laws: AS 11.81.900(a) & AS 11.61.210(a)

Body Armor Laws: No Laws Found.

Does Your Permit Cover Other Weapons Besides Firearms? NO AS 18.65.700.

Is carrying of a Concealed Firearm with Permit/License for Defensive Purposes Only While Hunting Legal? YES

What Does AK Consider A Loaded Firearm?

AS 11.61.220. Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Fifth Degree.

(e) For purposes of this section, a deadly weapon on a person is concealed if it is covered or enclosed in any manner so that an observer cannot determine that it is a weapon without removing it from that which covers or encloses it or without opening, lifting, or removing that which covers or encloses it; a deadly weapon on a person is not concealed if it is an unloaded firearm encased in a closed container designed for transporting firearms.
(f) For purposes of (a)(2) and (e) of this section, a firearm is loaded if the

(1) firing chamber, magazine, clip, or cylinder of the firearm contains a cartridge; and
(2) chamber, magazine, clip, or cylinder is installed in or on the firearm.

State Emergency Powers

AS 26.23.020. The Governor and Disaster Emergencies.

(a) The governor is responsible for meeting the dangers presented by disasters to the state and its people.
(b) The governor may issue orders, proclamations, and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, and amend or rescind them. These orders, proclamations, and regulations have the force of law.
(c) If the governor finds that a disaster has occurred or that a disaster is imminent or threatened, the governor shall, by proclamation, declare a condition of disaster emergency. The disaster emergency remains in effect until the governor finds that the danger has passed or the disaster has been dealt with so that the emergency no longer exists. The governor may terminate the disaster emergency by proclamation. A proclamation of disaster emergency may not remain in effect longer than 30 days unless extended by the legislature by a concurrent resolution. The proclamation must indicate the nature of the disaster, the area threatened or affected, and the conditions that have brought it about or that make possible the termination of the disaster emergency. A proclamation to declare a condition of disaster emergency must also state whether the governor proposes to expend state funds to respond to the disaster under (i) or (j) of this section.

(8) suspend or limit the sale, dispensing, or transportation of alcoholic beverages, explosives, and combustibles;

AS 26.20.040. Emergency Powers of the Governor.

(a) In the event of actual enemy or terrorist attack in or against the state, or a credible threat of imminent enemy or terrorist attack, the governor may declare that a state of emergency exists, and, during the period of time that the state of emergency exists or continues, the governor has and may exercise the additional emergency power

(1) to enforce all laws and regulations relating to homeland security and civil defense and assume direct operational control of all homeland security and civil defense forces and helpers in the state;
(2) to seize, take, or condemn property if, and only to the extent that, the governor determines that the property is needed for the protection of the public, including

(A) transportation and communication equipment, except newspapers and news services;
(B) fuel;
(C) food, clothing, equipment, materials, medicines, and supplies; and
(D) facilities including buildings and plants;

(3) to sell, lend, give, or distribute the fuel, food, clothing, medicines, and supplies among the inhabitants of the state and account to the commissioner of revenue for funds received for the property;
(4) to make compensation for the property seized, taken, or condemned on the basis described in AS 26.20.045 ;
(5) to suspend the provisions of a regulatory statute prescribing procedures for the conduct of state business or the order or regulation of a state agency if compliance with the provisions of the statute, order, or regulation would prevent, or substantially impede or delay, action necessary to cope with the emergency;
(6) to use all available resources of the state government and of each political subdivision of the state as reasonably necessary to cope with the emergency;
(7) to transfer personnel or alter the functions of state departments and agencies or units of them for the purpose of responding to or facilitating the response to the emergency;
(8) to perform and exercise other functions, powers, and duties that are considered necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population.

(b) A state of emergency declared under (a) of this section may not remain in effect longer than 30 days unless extended by the legislature by law and may be terminated by law or withdrawal of the declaration.
(c) In this section, "credible threat of imminent enemy or terrorist attack" means a threat of attack against persons or property in the state that the adjutant general of the department or a designee of the adjutant general, in consultation with the commissioner of public safety or a designee of the commissioner of public safety, certifies to the governor has a high probability of occurring in the near future; the certification must be based on specific information received from a local, state, federal, or international agency, or another source that the adjutant general or the designee of the adjutant general, in conjunction with the commissioner of public safety or a designee of the commissioner of public safety, determines is reliable.

AS 26.20.100. Traffic Control.

In coordination with the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, the department may

(1) formulate and execute plans and regulations for the control of traffic for the rapid and safe movement of evacuation over public highways and streets of people, troops, or vehicles and materials for homeland security and civil defense; and

(2) establish and operate checkpoints along private or public roadways serving critical property or facilities in the state, at the direction of the governor when the governor determines that a sufficiently high threat of enemy or terrorist attack exists to warrant the action; the checkpoints established under this paragraph may be in conjunction with closure of the roadway under AS 19.10.100 ; operation of a checkpoint shall include the posting of checkpoint signs in a manner that provides advance notice of the checkpoint so that persons are afforded a reasonable opportunity to turn around without passing through the checkpoint; operation of a checkpoint shall be limited to enforcement of the roadway closure or reasonable inspection of persons and vehicles passing through the checkpoint for weapons, explosives, chemicals, biological or biochemical agents, or other instruments capable of causing widespread severe injury to persons or property; however, at a checkpoint authorized under this paragraph, a person is entitled to retain possession of an amount of deadly weapons or defensive weapons that is reasonably justifiable for the person's lawful use, so long as those weapons are not prohibited weapons; in this paragraph, "deadly weapon" and "defensive weapon" have the meanings given in AS 11.81.900 (b), and "prohibited weapon" has the meaning given in AS 11.61.200

Federal Law can apply if the state is receiving monetary and/or other assistance from the Federal Government. See US Code 42-5207 for Federal Law as it applies to States of Emergencies. The state quoted code may also not be all of the law on Emergency Powers held by the state. You should read the entire code on Emergency Powers etc for this state by following the link to the state code.

Minimum Age for Possessing and Transporting of Handguns

Alaska: 16 Years Old

AS 11.61.220

This is the minimum age for possessing and transporting a handgun unloaded and secured in a vehicle without any type of permit/license to carry firearms.

Some states can have very restrictive laws on possessing and transporting handguns, please consult your local law enforement to make sure you are not breaking any laws.