Where You Cannot Carry in Alaska: Prohibited Places

Prohibited Places for Concealed Carry in Alaska

Alaska is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state, meaning persons 21 years of age or older who are legally eligible to possess firearms may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. However, both permit holders and permitless carriers must observe the same location-based restrictions. The following locations are off-limits for carrying a concealed firearm under Alaska law.

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State-Law Prohibited Locations

1. Schools (K–12)

• Statute: AS 11.61.210(a)(7) and AS 11.61.195(a)(2)
• It is unlawful to knowingly possess a deadly weapon or defensive weapon within the buildings of, on the grounds of, or on the school parking lot of a public or private preschool, elementary, junior high, or secondary school, on a school bus while being transported to or from school or a school-sponsored event, or while participating in a school-sponsored event.
• Exception: 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.
  • A defensive weapon (e.g., stun gun, prior to 2013 repeal changes).
  • An unloaded firearm if traversing school premises in a rural area for the purpose of entering public or private land open to hunting, and the school board has elected to have this exemption apply. "Rural" is defined as a community with a population of 5,500 or less 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.
• Permission exception: Carry is permitted with the permission of the chief administrative officer of the school or district (or their designee).
• Students have separate, more restrictive rules under AS 11.61.210(a)(8).
• Enhanced penalty: Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon (per AS 11.61.200(a)(1)) within school grounds or an adjacent parking lot elevates the offense to Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Second Degree, a class B felony, per AS 11.61.195(a)(2)(A).
• General violation: Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Fourth Degree is a class A misdemeanor per AS 11.61.210(d).

2. Child Care Facilities

• Statute: AS 11.61.220(a)(4)(A) and AS 11.61.195(a)(2)(B)
• It is unlawful to knowingly possess a firearm within the grounds of or on a parking lot immediately adjacent to an entity (other than a private residence) licensed as a child care facility under AS 47.32 or recognized by the federal government for the care of children.
• Exception: 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 in a motor vehicle.
• Enhanced penalty for felons: Possession by a convicted felon at or near a child care facility is a class B felony per AS 11.61.195(a)(2)(B).
• General violation: Class A misdemeanor (AS 11.61.220, Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Fifth Degree).

3. Places Where Intoxicating Liquor Is Sold for On-Premises Consumption (Bars)

• Statute: AS 11.61.220(a)(2)
• It is unlawful to knowingly possess a loaded firearm on the person in any place where intoxicating liquor is sold for consumption on the premises.
• Restaurant exception (affirmative defense): 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.
• Business owner/employee defense: Per AS 11.61.220(d)(2), it is a defense if the person was on business premises owned or leased by the defendant, or was in the course of employment for the owner or lessee.
• Definition of "loaded": Per AS 11.61.220(f), a firearm is loaded if the firing chamber, magazine, clip, or cylinder contains a cartridge and the chamber, magazine, clip, or cylinder is installed in or on the firearm.
• Violation level: Class A misdemeanor.

4. Courthouses and Court System Offices

• Statute: AS 11.61.220(a)(4)(B)
• It is unlawful to knowingly possess a firearm within:
  • A courtroom or office of the Alaska Court System; or
  • A courthouse that is occupied only by the Alaska Court System and other justice-related agencies.
• Alaska Court System Administrative Rule 26.2 provides additional detail: No person may possess a weapon (including firearms, knives, and chemical agents such as mace and pepper spray) on the premises of any court facility, or in the portion of any other building occupied by the court system, unless the weapon is to be used as evidence.
  • Exceptions under Rule 26.2(a):
    • Peace officers acting within the scope of employment
    • Private uniformed security guards transporting money/valuables
    • Private security guards under contract with the court system
    • Judicial officers — may possess small knives/multi-tools (blade ≤ 4 inches), small chemical agent canisters, and other weapons with written authorization from the administrative director. Judicial officers may bring a handgun onto court premises only after providing a certificate of handgun course completion (or valid Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit obtained within the prior 5 years) and receiving written authorization from the administrative director.
    • Court system employees may possess small knives/multi-tools (blade ≤ 4 inches) and small chemical agent canisters.
    • Court system facility construction contractors may possess knives/knife-like tools necessary for their work.
  • Important limitation: Even peace officers, security guards, and court employees who are attending or participating in a court proceeding outside the scope of their employment (as a party, witness, victim, or other interested person) are not permitted to bring a weapon onto court premises per Rule 26.2(b).
• Violation level: Class A misdemeanor under state statute.

5. Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault Shelters

• Statute: AS 11.61.220(a)(4)(C)
• It is unlawful to knowingly possess a firearm within a domestic violence or sexual assault shelter that receives funding from the state.
• Violation level: Class A misdemeanor.

6. Another Person's Residence (Concealed Carry)

• Statute: AS 11.61.220(a)(1)(B)
• A person 21 years of age or older commits Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Fifth Degree if they possess a concealed deadly weapon (other than an ordinary pocket knife or defensive weapon) within the residence of another person unless the person has first obtained the express permission of an adult residing there to bring a concealed deadly weapon within the residence.
• Violation level: Class A misdemeanor.

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Duty to Inform Law Enforcement

• Statute: AS 11.61.220(a)(1)(A)
• A person 21 years of age or older who is carrying a concealed deadly weapon must, when contacted by a peace officer:
  • Immediately inform the peace officer of the possession; and
  • 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.

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Carrying While Intoxicated

• Statute: AS 11.61.210(a)(1)
• It is unlawful to possess a firearm on the person or in the interior of a vehicle in which the person is present when the person's physical or mental condition is impaired as a result of the introduction of an intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance.
• Violation level: Class A misdemeanor (Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Fourth Degree).

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Federal Prohibited Locations (Applicable in Alaska)

Alaska state law does not apply to federal property, offices, installations, or places under federal jurisdiction. The following federal restrictions apply:

1. Federal Facilities

• Law: 18 U.S.C. § 930
• A federal facility is defined as a building or part of a building owned or leased by the federal government where federal employees are regularly present for performing their official duties.
• Firearms are prohibited in these locations.

2. School Zones (Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act)

• Law: 18 U.S.C. § 922(q)
• Firearms are generally prohibited within 1,000 feet of a school.
• Exceptions include:
  • Firearms on private property not part of school grounds
  • Unloaded firearms in a locked container within a vehicle
  • Firearms used in a program approved by the school
  • Possession by law enforcement officers
  • Individuals traversing school premises to access a hunting area, if authorized by school authorities
  • Individuals with a state-issued concealed carry permit (Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit holders are covered; the applicability to permitless carriers is a matter of legal debate)

3. Airport Sterile Areas and Aircraft

• Law: 49 U.S.C. § 46505
• Firearms are prohibited within or while entering the sterile area of an airline terminal, or aboard or while attempting to board an aircraft.

4. Certain National Park Areas in Alaska

• While most national parks now allow firearms under the 2010 federal law change (per the Credit CARD Act of 2009), certain National Park areas in Alaska may have specific restrictions. The Alaska DPS has identified the following as locations where firearms may be restricted:
  • Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
  • Sitka National Historical Park
  • Denali National Park and Preserve
  • Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
  • Katmai National Park and Preserve
• Note: Consult the specific National Park Service regulations and the appropriate federal agency for current rules, as federal regulations may have changed since the source material was published.

5. Military Bases and Other Federal Installations

• Military bases, federal court buildings, space rented by federal offices, and other federal installations may restrict or prohibit firearms. Check with the appropriate federal agency.

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Private Property Restrictions

The owners or management of private facilities — including hospitals, universities, gymnasiums, and other private property — may restrict or deny concealed carry on their premises. While violating a private property owner's firearms policy is not itself a specific firearms crime, failure to leave when asked could result in a trespass violation under Alaska law.

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Definition of "Concealed"

• Statute: 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.
• A deadly weapon on a person is not concealed if it is an unloaded firearm encased in a closed container designed for transporting firearms.

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Key Statutes