Alaska Duty to Inform: Police Stops While Carrying

Duty to Inform Law Enforcement

Alaska has a mandatory duty to inform law. If you are carrying a concealed firearm and come into contact with a law enforcement officer, you are required by law to immediately inform the officer that you are in possession of a firearm.

Key Requirements

• Timing: You must inform the officer immediately upon contact — not upon request or questioning.
• Scope: The duty applies any time you come into contact with a peace officer while carrying a concealed weapon.
• Securing the weapon: You must allow the officer to secure the weapon for the duration of the contact.
• Criminal penalty: Failure to immediately inform the officer is a criminal offense under Alaska law.

Statutory Basis

• AS 11.61.190 – AS 11.61.220 — These statutes describe conduct with a weapon that is criminal in Alaska, including the duty-to-inform requirement.
• The duty to inform is one of several conditions that must be met for lawful concealed carry without a permit in Alaska (constitutional carry state for persons 21 and older).

Context Within Alaska's Concealed Carry Framework

Alaska is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state. No permit is required for anyone 21 years of age or older who may legally possess a firearm to carry it concealed. However, the duty to inform is a legal obligation that is listed as one of the conditions for lawful concealed carry.

The full conditions for lawful concealed carry include:

1. Person is 21 years or older
2. Person is legally eligible to possess a handgun under state and federal law
3. The firearm is legal
4. Upon contact with a peace officer, the person immediately informs the officer and allows the officer to secure the weapon
5. Person is not intoxicated or impaired by alcohol or controlled substances
6. Person is not carrying in a prohibited location

Important Notes

• The duty to inform applies to peace officers generally, not only during traffic stops or specific enforcement actions.
• Alaska law requires proactive, immediate disclosure — you must inform the officer upon contact, not wait to be asked.
• Neither the Alaska Department of Public Safety nor the Alaska Attorney General's Office provides individual legal advice. Individuals should consult a private attorney licensed in Alaska for guidance specific to their circumstances.

Sources

• Alaska Department of Public Safety — Firearm FAQ
• Alaska Department of Public Safety — In Alaska (Concealed Carry)
• Alaska Statutes AS 11.61.190–11.61.220