Alaska Gun Laws

Concealed & Open Carry

Alaska was one of the first states to adopt constitutional carry in 2003. Any person aged 21 or older (18 for military) who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. Open carry is legal for anyone 16 or older who can legally possess a firearm. Alaska continues to issue a Concealed Handgun Permit for reciprocity with other states.

Key statute: Alaska Stat. § 11.61.220 — misconduct involving weapons in the fifth degree (carrying concealed). Exemptions for eligible persons effectively create constitutional carry.

Who Cannot Carry

Prohibited persons include: convicted felons (within 10 years of unconditional discharge for most felonies; lifetime for unclassified or class A felonies), persons convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors within the past six years, persons adjudicated as mentally ill, persons under 21 (for concealed; under 16 for open carry), and persons under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance.

Prohibited Locations

Alaska prohibits firearms in: school grounds (with vehicle exceptions), courthouses, domestic violence shelters, and any private property with posted prohibition. Alaska has strong state preemption (AS § 29.35.145) preventing local governments from enacting firearms restrictions more stringent than state law.

Purchase Requirements

No permit is required to purchase any firearm. All FFL sales require a NICS background check. Private sales do not require a background check. There is no waiting period, no state firearms registry, no assault weapons ban, and no magazine restriction.

Citations

Alaska Statutes Title 11, Chapter 61 (offenses against public order, weapons); SB 102 (2003).

Sources & official resources