Gun laws in Alaska regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Alaska in the United States.
| Subject/Law | Long guns | Handguns | Relevant Statutes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Permit to Purchase? | No | No | None | No |
| Firearm registration? | No | No | None | No |
| "Assault weapon" law? | No | No | None | No |
| Owner license required? | No | No | None | No |
| Carry permits issued? | No | Yes | AS 18.65.700 through 18.65.778 | May carry concealed without permit, though permits can be issued for those who wish to have them. |
| State Preemption of local restrictions? | Yes | Yes | AS 29.35.145 | Municipalities may enact and enforce local regulations only if they are identical to, and provide the same penalty as, State law. |
| NFA weapons restricted? | No | No | None | No |
| Peaceable Journey laws? | No | No | None | Federal rules observed. |
Alaska was the first state to adopt carry laws modeled after Vermont's (normally referred to as "Vermont Carry"), in which no license is required to carry a handgun either openly or concealed. However, permits are still issued to residents for purposes such as reciprocity with other states[1] and exemption from the Federal Gun Free School Zone Act.[2] The term "Alaska Carry" has been used to describe laws which require no license to carry handguns openly or concealed but licenses are still available for those who want them. Some city ordinances do not permit concealed carry without a concealed carry license, but these have been invalidated by the recent state preemption statute.[3]
Alaska restricts people from carrying guns in any place regulated by the liquor control board (bars and liquor stores, and restaurants that serve alcohol only with carry permit), schools, domestic violence shelters, courts, and correctional institutions. A person carrying a concealed gun in Alaska, when contacted by a police officer is required by law to inform the officer they are carrying and cooperate if the officer chooses to temporarily seize the gun for the length of the encounter. The possession of any firearm while intoxicated is illegal.
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