Alaska allows concealed carry without a permit under House Bill 69 (effective September 9, 2003), often called 'constitutional carry.' Anyone 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm can carry a concealed handgun in most public places without a license (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.220). You can also get a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) from the Alaska Department of Public Safety under Alaska Stat. § 18.65.700, which is optional but offers benefits like reciprocity with other states. To get a CHP, you must be 21 or older, complete a firearms training course (covering laws, safety, and shooting proficiency), and pass a background check with fingerprinting. Concealed carry is banned in certain places like schools, courthouses, domestic violence shelters, and bars (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.220). Private property owners can also ban firearms with proper signage (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.190). Violations can lead to misdemeanor charges, with penalties up to 1 year in jail.
Costs: A CHP application costs $99 (including a $30 fingerprinting fee). Training courses typically cost $75-$150. Total costs for a CHP are usually $174-$249.
Processing Time: CHP applications are processed within 60 days, but delays can occur if additional background checks are needed.
Renewal: A CHP is valid for 5 years. Renewal costs $30 and does not require retraining.
Reciprocity: Since Alaska allows permitless carry, you don’t need a CHP to carry concealed here if you’re 21 or older. Alaska honors permits from all other states (Alaska Stat. § 18.65.748). An Alaska CHP is recognized by 39 states, including Arizona, Florida, and Texas. Always check the laws of the state you’re visiting.
Alaska allows open carry without a permit under Alaska Stat. § 11.61.220. Anyone 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm can openly carry a handgun in most public places without a license. Open carry is banned in certain places like schools, courthouses, domestic violence shelters, and bars (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.220). Private property owners can prohibit open carry with proper signage (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.190). Long guns, like rifles and shotguns, can be openly carried without a permit, but displaying any firearm in a threatening manner is illegal (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.190). Violations can lead to misdemeanor charges, with penalties up to 1 year in jail.
Alaska has minimal restrictions on firearm types. There are no state laws banning assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, silencers, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, or machine guns, as long as they comply with federal law (e.g., National Firearms Act for machine guns and silencers). Ghost guns (firearms without serial numbers) are legal, and there’s no requirement to serialize them. Certain people can’t possess firearms, like felons or those with domestic violence convictions (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.200). Firearms are banned in specific places like schools and courthouses (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.220). Violations can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, with penalties up to 1 year in jail or 5 years in prison.
Costs: There are no state fees for owning restricted firearms since Alaska doesn’t ban them, but federal fees apply for items like silencers ($200 tax stamp).
Processing Time: Federal background checks for restricted items (e.g., silencers) can take 6-12 months through the ATF.
Interstate travel with firearms through or into Alaska is allowed under federal law, but you must follow state rules. The federal Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA), under 18 U.S.C. § 926A, lets you transport firearms across state lines if you can legally possess them in your starting and destination states. The firearm must be unloaded, and neither the firearm nor its ammo can be easily reached—store them in a trunk or locked container (not the glove box). Alaska law allows you to carry a handgun in your vehicle without a permit if you’re 21 or older and can legally possess a firearm (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.220). Long guns can be transported without a locked container. Firearms are banned in certain places like schools and courthouses (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.220). Alaska allows permitless carry, so you don’t need a license to carry while traveling here if you’re 21 or older and can legally possess a firearm.
Purchasing a firearm in Alaska is straightforward with few state restrictions. You must be 21 to buy a handgun from a licensed dealer (federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 922), but only 19 for rifles or shotguns (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.210). No permit, background check, or waiting period is required for private sales. For dealer purchases, you’ll need a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), but there’s no state waiting period (18 U.S.C. § 922). There’s no limit on the number of firearms you can buy at once, and no state requirement for a safety certificate. Assault weapons, silencers, and large-capacity magazines can be purchased, subject to federal laws (e.g., NFA for silencers). Certain people, like felons, can’t buy firearms (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.200).
Costs: There are no state fees for purchasing, but dealers may charge a $10-$25 fee for the NICS background check. Total fees are typically $10-$25 per transaction.
Processing Time: NICS background checks are usually instant but can take up to 3 days if there’s a delay.
Alaska does not require firearm registration for most guns. There’s no state law mandating registration when you buy a firearm, move to Alaska, or own a ghost gun (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.200). Federal law requires registration for certain items like machine guns and silencers through the ATF (National Firearms Act). Alaska doesn’t require reporting lost or stolen firearms. There are no penalties for failing to register since registration isn’t required.
Alaska has minimal firearm storage laws. There’s no state requirement to store firearms unloaded or in a locked container (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.200). However, it’s illegal to leave a firearm where a child under 16 can access it if the child uses it to cause injury or death, known as misconduct involving weapons. Penalties can be a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail) or a felony (up to 5 years in prison) if serious harm occurs. There’s no requirement to report lost or stolen firearms, and dealers aren’t required to provide locking devices with purchases.
Alaska follows a strong Castle Doctrine under Alaska Stat. § 11.81.335, allowing you to use deadly force in your home, vehicle, or workplace if someone unlawfully enters and you reasonably believe they’re a threat to cause death or serious injury. Alaska is also a 'stand your ground' state, meaning you don’t have to retreat anywhere you’re legally present (Alaska Stat. § 11.81.335). This applies to your property and public places. Using excessive force can lead to charges like manslaughter or murder, with penalties up to 20 years in prison.