Carrying a Gun in Your Car in Alaska: Vehicle Carry Laws

Carrying Firearms in Vehicles in Alaska

Alaska is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state, meaning no permit is required to carry a concealed firearm for persons who meet the legal requirements. This extends to carrying firearms in vehicles.

General Rules for Carrying in Vehicles

Alaska law does not prohibit carrying a firearm — openly or concealed — in a vehicle, provided the person meets the following requirements per AS 11.61.220 and the Alaska Department of Public Safety guidance:

• Age requirement: The person must be 21 years of age or older to carry a concealed deadly weapon. Persons under 21 who carry a concealed deadly weapon (other than an ordinary pocket knife or defensive weapon) commit misconduct involving weapons in the fifth degree, a class A misdemeanor, per AS 11.61.220(a)(6).
• Legal eligibility: The person must be eligible to own or possess a handgun under both state and federal law.
• The firearm must be legal: Prohibited weapons (as defined in AS 11.61.200(h)) may not be possessed.
• Not impaired: A person may not possess a firearm on their person or in the interior of a vehicle in which they are present while their physical or mental condition is impaired by intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance. This is a class A misdemeanor under AS 11.61.210(a)(1) (misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree).

Duty to Inform Law Enforcement

Per AS 11.61.220(a)(1)(A), any person 21 years of age or older who is carrying a concealed deadly weapon must, when contacted by a peace officer:

1. Immediately inform the peace officer of the concealed weapon; and
2. Allow the peace officer to secure the weapon, or secure the weapon at the officer's direction, for the duration of the contact.

Failure to do either constitutes misconduct involving weapons in the fifth degree, a class A misdemeanor per AS 11.61.220(d).

Definition of "Concealed" in a Vehicle Context

Per AS 11.61.220(e), a deadly weapon on a person is concealed if it is "covered or enclosed in any manner so that an observer cannot determine that it is a weapon without removing it from that which covers or encloses it or without opening, lifting, or removing that which covers or encloses it."

Important exception: A deadly weapon on a person is not considered concealed if it is "an unloaded firearm encased in a closed container designed for transporting firearms." This means an unloaded firearm in a proper gun case in a vehicle is not treated as a concealed weapon under Alaska law.

Firearms on School Grounds and in School Parking Lots

Per AS 11.61.210(a)(7), it is generally a class A misdemeanor to knowingly possess a deadly weapon or defensive weapon on school grounds, school parking lots, or school buses. However, a person 21 years of age or older may:

• Possess a deadly weapon (other than a loaded firearm) in the trunk of a motor vehicle or encased in a closed container in a motor vehicle — per AS 11.61.210(a)(7)(A)
• Possess a defensive weapon — per AS 11.61.210(a)(7)(B)
• Possess an unloaded firearm if traversing school premises in a rural area for the purpose of entering land open to hunting (subject to school board election) — per AS 11.61.210(a)(7)(C)

"Rural" is defined as a community with a population of 5,500 or less that is not connected by road or rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks, or a population of 1,500 or less that is connected by road or rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks.

Firearms Near Child Care Facilities

Per AS 11.61.220(a)(4)(A), it is a class A misdemeanor to knowingly possess a firearm within the grounds of, or on a parking lot immediately adjacent to, a child care facility (other than a private residence) licensed under AS 47.32 or recognized by the federal government. However, a person 21 years of age or older may possess an unloaded firearm in the trunk of a motor vehicle or encased in a closed container of a motor vehicle.

Discharging a Firearm From a Vehicle

• Discharging a firearm from a propelled vehicle while the vehicle is being operated, under circumstances manifesting substantial and unjustifiable risk of physical injury or property damage, is misconduct involving weapons in the first degree, a class A felony, per AS 11.61.190(a)(2).
• Discharging a firearm from a propelled vehicle in other circumstances (not meeting the above threshold) is misconduct involving weapons in the third degree, a class C felony, per AS 11.61.200(a)(11). An affirmative defense exists if the person was using the firearm while hunting, trapping, or fishing in a manner not prohibited by statute or regulation — per AS 11.61.200(d).

Discharging a Firearm From, On, or Across a Highway

Per AS 11.61.210(a)(2), discharging a firearm from, on, or across a highway is misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor.

Places Where Vehicle Carry May Be Restricted

Even while in a vehicle, be aware of the following restricted locations per AS 11.61.220 and Alaska DPS guidance:

• Courthouses and court offices: Firearms are prohibited within courtrooms, offices of the Alaska Court System, and courthouses occupied only by the court system and justice-related agencies — per AS 11.61.220(a)(4)(B)
• Domestic violence or sexual assault shelters receiving state funding — per AS 11.61.220(a)(4)(C)
• Federal property: Alaska's laws do not apply to federal property, offices, installations, or places under federal jurisdiction, including national parks, military bases, federal court buildings, space rented by federal offices, airports, or airport terminal areas. Consult the appropriate federal agency.
• Private property: Owners or management of facilities (hospitals, universities, gymnasiums, or other private property) may restrict or deny concealed carry on their premises. Failure to comply could violate trespass statutes.

Bars and Restaurants

Per AS 11.61.220(a)(2), it is a class A misdemeanor to knowingly possess a loaded firearm on the person in any place where intoxicating liquor is sold for consumption on the premises. However, per AS 11.61.220(d)(1), it is an affirmative defense if:

• The loaded firearm was a concealed handgun as defined in AS 18.65.790; and
• The possession occurred at a place designated as a restaurant for purposes of AS 04.16.049; and
• The person did not consume intoxicating liquor at the place.

Prohibited Persons — Vehicle Carry

The following persons may not carry firearms in vehicles (or anywhere else):

• Persons convicted of a felony or adjudicated as a delinquent minor for conduct that would constitute a felony — possessing a concealable firearm is a class C felony per AS 11.61.200(a)(1). Exceptions exist if the person received a pardon, the conviction was set aside, or 10 or more years have elapsed since unconditional discharge (and the prior conviction was not under AS 11.41, crimes against persons) — per AS 11.61.200(b)(1).
• Persons whose physical or mental condition is impaired by alcohol or controlled substances — per AS 11.61.210(a)(1)

Definition of "Loaded" Firearm

Per AS 11.61.220(f), a firearm is loaded if:

1. The firing chamber, magazine, clip, or cylinder contains a cartridge; and
2. The chamber, magazine, clip, or cylinder is installed in or on the firearm.

A firearm with a loaded magazine that is detached from the firearm would not meet this definition of "loaded."

Federal Considerations

• FOPA (Firearms Owners' Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. § 926A): Provides safe passage protections for persons transporting firearms interstate, provided the firearm is unloaded and not readily accessible (e.g., locked in the trunk), and the person may lawfully possess the firearm at both the origin and destination.
• Federal property in Alaska: Alaska's permissive carry laws do not apply on federal property, installations, or places under federal jurisdiction.

Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit and Vehicle Carry

While no permit is needed to carry in a vehicle in Alaska, the state does issue concealed handgun permits (valid for up to 5 years, costing $87.00 for initial application) that may be useful for reciprocity when traveling to other states. Per Alaska DPS, the legal significance of an Alaska permit outside Alaska depends entirely on the law of the state in which the person possesses a firearm.

Persons Under 21

Per AS 11.61.220(a)(6), a person under 21 years of age who knowingly possesses a concealed deadly weapon (other than an ordinary pocket knife or defensive weapon) commits a class A misdemeanor. Affirmative defenses exist per AS 11.61.220(b) if the person was:

1. In their own dwelling or on land they own or lease appurtenant to the dwelling; or
2. Actually engaged in lawful hunting, fishing, trapping, or other lawful outdoor activity that necessarily involves carrying a weapon for personal protection.

Key Statutes