Alaska Concealed Carry Laws Explained

Concealed Carry Laws in Alaska

Overview: Constitutional (Permitless) Carry

Alaska is a constitutional carry (also called "permitless carry") state. Alaska's laws do not prohibit anyone 21 years of age or older who may legally possess a firearm from carrying it concealed or openly. No firearms permit is required to carry concealed in Alaska. However, Alaska also maintains a voluntary Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit (ACHP) program for residents who wish to obtain a permit, primarily for reciprocity purposes when traveling to other states.

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Permitless Concealed Carry Requirements

Any person may carry a concealed handgun in Alaska without a permit, provided they meet all of the following conditions (per AS 11.61.190 through AS 11.61.220):

• Age: The person must be 21 years of age or older. Persons under 21 are not allowed to carry a concealed handgun in Alaska, even if they hold a concealed carry permit from another state that issues to persons aged 18–20.
• Legal eligibility: The person must be eligible to own or possess a handgun under both state and federal law.
• Legal firearm: The firearm itself must be legal (not a prohibited weapon as defined under AS 11.61.200).
• Duty to inform law enforcement: Upon contact with a peace officer, the person must immediately inform the officer about the weapon and allow the officer to secure the weapon for the duration of the contact.
• No intoxication: The person must not carry the weapon while intoxicated or impaired by alcohol or controlled substances.

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Places Where Concealed Carry Is Prohibited

Even under permitless carry or with an ACHP, concealed handguns may not be carried in the following locations (per AS 18.65.755, AS 11.61.195, AS 11.61.210, AS 11.61.220, and the Alaska DPS guidance):

• Another person's home without their specific knowledge and permission
• Any place where intoxicating liquor is sold for on-site consumption, except a restaurant — and the person must not consume alcoholic beverages while carrying
• In or around any public or private K-12 school or on a school bus without the knowledge and consent of the school's chief administrative officer (weapons may be unloaded and locked in the trunk of a car or secured in a locked container)
• In or around a child care facility (weapons may be unloaded and locked in the trunk of a car or secured in a locked container)
• In a courthouse, courtroom, or office of the court system or justice-related agencies
• In domestic violence or sexual assault shelters
• Anywhere a person is prohibited from possessing a handgun under state or federal law (per AS 18.65.755(a)(2))

Federal property: Alaska's laws do not apply to federal property, offices, installations, or places under federal jurisdiction. This can include national parks, military bases, federal court buildings, space rented by federal offices, airports, or airport terminal areas. Persons should consult with the appropriate federal agency before carrying.

Private property: Owners or management of private facilities (hospitals, universities, gymnasiums, or other private property) may restrict or deny concealed carry on their premises. Failure to comply while on their property could violate trespass statutes.

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Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit (ACHP) — Voluntary Permit

Although a permit is not required to carry concealed in Alaska, the state offers the Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit (ACHP) through the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The primary benefits of obtaining an ACHP include:

• Reciprocity with other states that recognize Alaska permits
• NICS exemption — The ACHP is approved by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as an alternative to the point-of-sale NICS background check. Permit holders may request a "NICS Exempt" designation on their permit by completing a supplemental form.

Eligibility Requirements (per AS 18.65.705)

To qualify for an ACHP, a person must:

1. Be 21 years of age or older
2. Be eligible to own or possess a handgun under both Alaska state law and federal law
3. Be a resident of Alaska and have been a resident for at least 90 days immediately preceding the application (per AS 18.65.705(3) and AS 01.10.055)
4. Not have been convicted of two or more Class A misdemeanors of Alaska (or similar laws of another jurisdiction) within the six years immediately preceding the application (per AS 18.65.705(4))
5. Not currently be under, and not have been in the three years immediately preceding the application ordered by a court to complete, an alcohol or substance abuse treatment program (per AS 18.65.705(5))
6. Have successfully completed a department-approved handgun competency course within the 12 months immediately preceding the application (per AS 18.65.705(6) and AS 18.65.715)
7. Not suffer from a physical infirmity that prevents the safe handling of a handgun (per AS 18.65.700(a)(8))

Disqualifying Factors

• Felony conviction: A person convicted of a felony is generally prohibited from possessing a concealable firearm under AS 11.61.200(a)(1). Limited exceptions exist for persons who received a pardon, had their conviction set aside under AS 12.55.085, or for whom 10 or more years have elapsed since unconditional discharge (and the prior conviction was not for a crime against a person under AS 11.41). However, per DPS interpretation and 13 AAC 30.900(6), a conviction that has been "set aside" is still considered a "conviction" for ACHP eligibility purposes.
• Two or more Class A misdemeanor convictions within the preceding six years
• Court-ordered alcohol or substance abuse treatment within the preceding three years
• Federal firearms prohibitions (including domestic violence misdemeanor convictions under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), persons subject to certain restraining orders, persons adjudicated as mentally defective, etc.)

Application Process (per AS 18.65.700 and AS 18.65.710)

1. Complete an approved handgun training course — The course must be approved by the Alaska DPS and completed within 12 months before the application. The course must test knowledge of Alaska firearms law, use of deadly force, safe and responsible handgun use, self-defense principles, and physical competence with a handgun. No online or correspondence courses, and no programs outside of Alaska, are approved.
2. Apply in person at an office of the Alaska State Troopers
3. Submit the completed application form (Form 12-299A)
4. Provide one frontal-view color photograph taken within the preceding 30 days, including head and shoulders
5. Submit one complete set of fingerprints taken by a DPS-approved fingerprint technician, in the format approved by the department, within 90 days before submission
6. Provide a certificate of successful completion of the approved handgun course
7. Show a valid Alaska driver's license or identification card at the time of application
8. Pay the application fee of $87.00 (nonrefundable, per AS 18.65.720; the statutory maximum for initial issuance is $99)

The department must approve or reject the application within 30 days of receipt. If fingerprint eligibility information has not been received from another agency within 30 days and the applicant is otherwise eligible, the department shall issue a conditional permit subject to immediate revocation if the fingerprint information later discloses ineligibility (per AS 18.65.700(b)).

Residency Requirements

• Residents only: The ACHP is available only to Alaska residents who have lived in the state for more than 90 days. No non-resident permits are issued.
• Legal resident aliens who reside in Alaska may obtain an ACHP, provided they have been physically present in Alaska for at least 90 days and intend to remain indefinitely.
• A permittee who ceases to be an Alaska resident does not need to surrender the permit, but may not renew the permit if they are no longer a resident at the time of renewal (per AS 18.65.725(e)).

Permit Duration and Renewal

• A permit expires on the holder's birthday in the fifth year following issuance, for a maximum period of five years (per AS 18.65.700(d)).
• Renewal applications must be submitted within 90 days before the permit's expiration date (per AS 18.65.725(a)).
• Renewal does not need to be submitted in person; it may be mailed to the Alaska Concealed Carry Office at 5700 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507.
• Renewal fee: $25.00 (nonrefundable)
• A renewal submitted after the expiration date is subject to a $25.00 late fee (per AS 18.65.725(c)).
• The department will not accept a renewal application for a permit that has been expired for more than 60 days. After that point, the holder must apply for a new permit.
• Renewal requires: updated information, a statement of continued qualification, a photograph taken within 30 days, and the renewal fee.
• No new handgun course is required for renewal.

Replacement Permits

• If a permit is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the permittee must apply in person at an Alaska State Trooper office, certify under oath that the permit was lost/stolen/destroyed, provide a photograph taken within 30 days, and pay a $25.00 fee (per AS 18.65.730).
• Replacement does not change the expiration date.

Permit Holder Responsibilities (per AS 18.65.765)

• Notify DPS of an address change within 30 days of the change
• Immediately report a lost, stolen, or illegible permit to DPS
• Immediately notify DPS if the holder is no longer qualified to hold a permit under AS 18.65.705
• Violation of these responsibilities is a violation (not a misdemeanor) punishable by a fine of not more than $100

Suspension and Revocation

• The department shall immediately suspend a permit if the permittee becomes ineligible under AS 18.65.705 (per AS 18.65.735).
• The department shall immediately revoke a permit when the permittee: (1) becomes disqualified under AS 18.65.705; (2) is convicted of two Class A misdemeanors within a six-year period (with at least one conviction after the application); or (3) knowingly supplied false or fraudulent information in connection with an application (per AS 18.65.740).
• A person whose permit is revoked may not apply for a new permit until at least five years after the revocation (per AS 18.65.740(d)).
• Appeals of revocation may be made to the Commissioner of Public Safety, with judicial review available under AS 44.62.560–44.62.570.

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Honorably Retired Peace Officers (per AS 18.65.700(e) and 13 AAC 30.085)

An honorably retired peace officer of Alaska may apply for an ACHP within one year of retirement with reduced requirements:

• The officer is exempt from the fingerprint requirement (AS 18.65.700(a)(4))
• The officer is exempt from the handgun course requirement if they qualified with a handgun within five years of retirement
• The officer must have been employed as a peace officer with a law enforcement agency in Alaska for two or more years before terminating employment, and within one year before application
• The officer must not have terminated employment in lieu of firing, suspension, or other involuntary separation

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Handgun Competency Standards (per AS 18.65.790)

"Competence" is defined as the ability to place:

• 7 out of 10 shots at 7 yards in a life-size silhouette target
• 6 out of 10 shots at 15 yards in a life-size silhouette target

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Definition of "Concealed Handgun" (per AS 18.65.790(3))

A "concealed handgun" means a firearm that is a pistol or revolver, covered or enclosed so that an observer cannot determine it is a handgun without removing it from that which covers or encloses it. The term does not include a shotgun, rifle, or a prohibited weapon as defined under AS 11.61.200.

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Municipal Preemption (per AS 18.65.778)

A municipality may not restrict the carrying of a concealed handgun by permit under AS 18.65.700–18.65.790. This provides statewide uniformity for ACHP holders.

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Reciprocity

Alaska has entered into reciprocity agreements with numerous other states. The DPS posts the current status of reciprocity on its official website (per 13 AAC 30.150). Per AS 18.65.748, a person holding a valid concealed handgun permit from another state is treated as a permittee under Alaska law for purposes of AS 18.65.755–18.65.765 (restricted places and permittee responsibilities).

However, because Alaska allows permitless carry for anyone 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm, all persons physically in Alaska who are legally eligible to possess firearms can carry concealed — regardless of whether they hold a permit from any state.

When traveling outside Alaska, the ACHP holder must comply with the laws of the state they are visiting. Alaska permits are not valid in any other country.

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Penalties for Weapons Misconduct

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Confidentiality (per AS 18.65.770)

Applications, permits, and renewals are not public records under AS 40.25.110–40.25.125 and may only be used for law enforcement purposes.

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Federal Considerations

• Federal property: Alaska concealed carry laws do not apply on federal property or places under federal jurisdiction. Carry rules on federal property are governed by federal law and the policies of the specific federal agency.
• FOPA (Firearm 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, and the person is legally allowed to possess the firearm at both the origin and destination.
• LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B–926C): Allows qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms nationwide, subject to certain conditions.
• Federal prohibitions (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)): Federal law prohibits firearm possession by convicted felons, persons subject to certain domestic violence restraining orders, persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, unlawful users of controlled substances, persons adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution, and other categories. These federal prohibitions apply in Alaska regardless of state law.

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Key Statutes and Regulations