Alaska is a constitutional carry state, meaning residents who are legally eligible to possess firearms may carry concealed without a permit. However,...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Alaska is a constitutional carry state, meaning residents who are legally eligible to possess firearms may carry concealed without a permit. However, Alaska still issues concealed handgun permits (ACHP) for those who want one — primarily for reciprocity with other states or to obtain NICS-exempt status when purchasing firearms from licensed dealers.
The Permits and Licensing Unit within the Division of Statewide Services administers all concealed handgun permits in Alaska.
Mailing & Physical Address:
Department of Public Safety Permits and Licensing Unit 5700 East Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99507
Contact:
Key Online Resources:
Note: The Alaska DPS website periodically undergoes scheduled maintenance. If the primary site is unavailable, many DPS resources remain accessible through alternate service pages. Contact the Permits and Licensing Unit by phone during outages.
Obtain the Application: Download the Concealed Handgun Permit Application from the DPS Permits and Licensing Unit website. Forms are available on the Concealed Handguns Main Page.
Eligibility Requirements (AS 18.65.705):
Complete the Application:
NICS-Exempt Designation (Optional):
Sign the Application Under Penalty of Law:
Submit the Application: Mail or deliver the completed application to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Permits and Licensing Unit, at the address listed above.
Address Changes:
Name Changes:
| Statute | Subject |
|---|---|
| AS 18.65.700–18.65.748 | Concealed Handgun Permits (full chapter) |
| AS 18.65.705 | Qualifications for concealed handgun permit |
| AS 01.10.055 | Definition of Alaska residency |
| AS 11.61.190 | Misconduct Involving Weapons — First Degree (class A felony) |
| AS 11.61.195 | Misconduct Involving Weapons — Second Degree (class B felony) |
| AS 11.61.200 | Misconduct Involving Weapons — Third Degree (class A misdemeanor) — includes concealed carry prohibitions for convicted felons |
| AS 11.61.200(a)(12) | Prohibition on concealed carry by persons convicted of felonies |
| AS 11.61.200(g) | Exemptions to the felon concealed carry prohibition (on own property, lawful hunting/fishing/trapping, or lawful outdoor activities requiring a weapon) |
| AS 11.61.200(h)(2) | Definition of "unconditional discharge" for purposes of weapons rights restoration |
| AS 11.61.210 | Misconduct Involving Weapons — Fourth Degree |
| AS 11.61.220 | Misconduct Involving Weapons — Fifth Degree |
| AS 11.81.335 | Justification: Use of defensive force |
| AS 11.81.340 | Justification: Use of deadly force in defense of self |
| AS 11.81.350 | Justification: Use of force in defense of a third person |
| AS 29.35.145 | Municipal regulation of firearms (state preemption) |
Alaska statutes are searchable online at: https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp
Under Alaska law, an individual convicted of a felony may have firearm rights restored through:
After restoration, the individual may openly carry handguns and may carry concealed in specific circumstances listed under AS 11.61.200(g) — on their own property, while engaged in lawful hunting/fishing/trapping, or during lawful activities that necessarily involve carrying a weapon for personal protection.
Important federal consideration: Under the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Caron v. United States, 524 U.S. 308 (1998), if a state imposes any restriction on firearm possession for a previously convicted felon, federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) may treat that person as still prohibited from possessing firearms. Because Alaska retains limited concealed carry restrictions on restored felons under AS 11.61.200(a)(12), the ATF and FBI have interpreted this as a restriction triggering federal prohibition. The Alaska Legislature has considered legislation (e.g., HB 408, 26th Legislature) to address this gap.
Laws regulating the import, export, and possession of firearms have changed significantly in Canada. Before transporting any firearm into Canada, check with:
Customs offices relevant to Alaska travel:
Firearms are permitted on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system, but passengers traveling to or through Canada must comply with Canadian firearms import laws. Contact the terminal manager or AMHS at 1-800-642-0066 (Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM) for current policies.
An applicant who supplies a false statement, answer, or document in connection with a concealed handgun permit application that the applicant does not believe to be true may be prosecuted for Unsworn Falsification in the Second Degree under AS 11.56.210 (a Class A misdemeanor). If found guilty, the permit shall be revoked and the applicant may be barred from any further application for a permit.
This page covers one part of our Alaska concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Alaska guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.