Alaska does not prohibit the open carrying of firearms in public. The laws of the State of Alaska do not include provisions prohibiting the purchase and possession of firearms by the following persons: You may carry firearms in vehicles if you are 21 years of age or older. Persons aged 16 and over are allowed to carry firearms in cars without authorization, provided that they safely hide the weapon in a compartment that is not easily accessible to the driver and his passengers. Unloading the weapon is also a prerequisite. [Gunman who helped stop the Anchorage Mall robbery: “I`m wearing, so I`m ready.”] Alaska`s approach to opening up gun laws is more lenient than in other U.S. states. In general, people who are legally authorized to possess firearms are allowed to carry them openly in public. In addition to the above restrictions and responsibilities for possession of handguns if you wear undercover, Alaska prohibits the conscious possession of a firearm carried openly or concealed by someone in it: Alaska prohibits any type of carrying in schools, domestic violence shelters, courts, and correctional facilities. Transportation is also prohibited in any place where alcohol is served for consumption on site, with the exception of restaurants that serve alcohol as long as you do not consume alcohol while wearing it. When meeting with a police officer, a person carrying a concealed weapon is required by law to inform the officer they are carrying and to cooperate with the officer if the officer decides to temporarily seize the weapon for the duration of the encounter.
Possession of a firearm while intoxicated is illegal. [4] The state prohibits anyone from knowingly carrying a weapon hidden in someone else`s home without their permission.2 However, Alaska does not follow these prohibitions, as is the case in some states. Only those who are criminals are prohibited by state law from possessing hidden firearms, such as handguns. However, if ten years have elapsed between the date of the injury and the day on which the State grants him unconditional release, this prohibition no longer applies. Another requirement of this exception is if the crime is not directed against another person. Alaska generally prohibits the knowing possession of a loaded firearm carried open or hidden in any place where alcohol is sold for consumption on the premises.3 However, this is an affirmative defense if: (1) the loaded firearm is a handgun that is covered or enclosed, so an observer cannot determine that it is a handgun, without removing them, or opening what covers or encloses them; and (2) the possession took place in a restaurant and the defendant did not consume intoxicating alcohol.4 Alaska restricts the open carrying of weapons in certain locations. There are certain prohibitions on the use of certain ammunition and firearms. Let`s discuss in more detail to fully answer the question “Is Open Carry Legal in Alaska?” However, state laws state that the knowing sale of firearms to anyone under the age of 18 is not permitted. Anyone under the age of 16 who is still under parental responsibility cannot openly bring into the state of Alaska.
This law contradicts federal laws that state that 18 is the minimum age required for anyone to buy and own firearms. On July 9, 2010, Governor Sean Parnell signed into law the Alaska Firearms Freedom Act (HB 186), in which he stated that certain firearms and accessories are exempt from federal regulation and make it illegal for all state assets to enforce federal gun laws, a de facto cancellation law. [5] The text can be read here. [6] On September 10, 2013, Governor Parnell signed HB 69, which amended and expanded HB 186. [7] [8] The text can be read here. [9] That`s right: concealed wearing is not constitutionally protected. For those who think this should be the case, don`t shoot the messenger. If you have a bone to pick, it`s with the Ninth District Court of Appeals, which is located in Peruta v.
San Diego (2014), Valâ Van Brocklin is a former federal and state prosecutor of Alaska who is now training and writing on criminal justice issues nationwide. She lives in Anchorage where she carries open and hidden, depending on the circumstances. It is relatively easy to get the necessary licenses for firearms in Alaska. While there are reasonable restrictions on the use of firearms in the state, some Alaskan gun laws would still be relatively non-restrictive. Let me suggest a directive – after initially refusing that what I write is not intended to be legal advice and should not be understood as legal advice. Nor is it an exhaustive treatment of gun carrier laws. State laws allow you to open transportation in Alaska in your vehicle, provided you notify uniformed personnel in case they stop you for inspection and other legal requests. Alaska prohibits any non-emancipated minor under the age of 16 from possessing a firearm without the consent of their parents or guardians. There is no waiting period for the purchase of a handgun or obligation to register it. You don`t need an open or hidden carrying permit, although you can get one that can allow you to legally carry to another state that has reciprocity with Alaska. If you plan to go to places with a hidden weapon, you are required by law to get permission to hide the port.
However, a license does not mean that you can go wherever you want. There are restrictions in the places where you are allowed to visit. These places where you are not allowed to carry even with a permit are as follows: If you are approached by the police, you must immediately inform them that you are carrying them and allow them to secure the weapon during contact or follow their instructions for security. Ammunition laws in the state of Alaska are also more lenient than in most countries. Alaska`s Open Carry Act does not mention any restrictions on the open carrying of weapons anywhere in the world; This means it`s legal to carry guns openly anywhere in Alaska. However, the minimum age limit still applies. However, state laws prohibit the sale, possession, transport, transfer and manufacture of all “prohibited weapons”. The state defines prohibited weapons as any firearm that can automatically fire more than one shot. These weapons do not require manual reloading.
Fully automatic assault pistols belong to the category of prohibited weapons. Persons who are not legally authorized to possess firearms are free to possess ammunition. The state does not prohibit the use and possession of armor-piercing ammunition as long as it complies with federal laws. There are special armor-piercing munitions that are illegal for the use and possession of citizens. A holder of a hidden firearms license in Alaska is not allowed to carry a concealed handgun “when a person is prohibited by federal or state law from owning a handgun.” 1 You may not enter another person`s residence without their prior permission to carry them into the residence. These laws are punishable by criminal law. If you decide to arm yourself, know and respect your rights and obligations. That is what distinguishes us from criminals. The state of Alaska has laws that punish people who destroy, modify, remove, and cover up a firearm`s serial number. Especially with the intention of making the weapon unrecognizable and untraceable. This legislation will help the justice system accurately locate firearms used at crime scenes and other justice-related activities.
In addition, businesses may prohibit the possession of firearms in an area outside of a safe place where visitors are controlled, which does not include public entry and exit areas open to the general public. A good source of information about the open and hidden legal port in Alaska is the Department of Public Safety website. Since we are talking about wearing them for personal protection, this article will only deal with legal handguns. The laws are slightly different for long guns and shotguns. The U.S. state of Alaska has very permissive gun laws and very few regulations for the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition compared to most neighboring U.S. Alaska was the first state to pass Vermont-style port laws that do not require a permit to carry a handgun openly or concealed. However, residents still receive permits that allow for reciprocity with other states[1] and exemption from the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act. [2] The legal requirement that firearms licences be issued but not required is referred to by gun advocates as “Alaska Carry”, as opposed to a “Vermont Carry” (or “Constitutional Carry”), where firearms licences are neither issued nor required. Some municipal ordinances do not allow secret carrying without a license, but these have been invalidated by the recent state pre-emption law. [3] Recently, a DNA reader who witnessed an assault and robbery during the day sent me an email informing me that, for the first time in her life, she was considering carrying a firearm for protection. She asked me if I could point out the laws in place.
When I read DNA, I would say it`s not the only one. Crime is a huge concern in Anchorage. If you already have a licence to carry a hidden firearm, you do not need to obtain another licence if you want to buy another firearm. Make sure your secret port permit is marked as NICS-Exempt. This section will also not deal with federal laws, which may be more restrictive. General information can be found on the website of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Once you`ve bought the gun, you don`t have to wait. You can have the purchased weapon after completing the sale. Once you have the gun, Alaskan law doesn`t require you to register it. You can visit Alaska and carry firearms if you have already received a permit from your state.