Alaska Concealed Carry Reciprocity: States That Honor It

Reciprocity

Overview: Alaska's Approach to Reciprocity

Alaska uses a unilateral recognition model for concealed carry reciprocity. This means Alaska recognizes all valid concealed handgun permits from every other state, without requiring that the other state also recognize Alaska permits in return. Alaska does not require mutual (two-way) reciprocity agreements, per AS 18.65.748.

Constitutional (Permitless) Carry vs. Permit-Based Carry

Alaska is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state, meaning most individuals who are legally allowed to possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. However, Alaska continues to issue concealed handgun permits (CHPs) primarily so that Alaska residents can carry in other states that have reciprocity agreements or recognition policies with Alaska.

How Alaska Recognizes Other States' Permits

Under AS 18.65.748, a person holding a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun from another state (or a political subdivision of another state) is treated as a permittee under AS 18.65.700(b) for purposes of AS 18.65.755 – 18.65.765. All other Alaska statutes still apply to the visiting permit holder.

Key requirements for out-of-state permit holders carrying in Alaska:

• Minimum age of 21: Permit holders must be 21 years old or older for their out-of-state permit to be valid in Alaska. There is no exception to this minimum age requirement, regardless of job profession or the permit status of the issuing state.
• Compliance with Alaska law: Out-of-state permit holders must adhere to Title 18, Chapter 65, Article 10 of Alaska state law while carrying in Alaska.
• Alaska recognizes permits from all states — no formal reciprocity agreement is required for Alaska to honor another state's permit.

Alaska's Reciprocity Agreements (for Alaska Permit Holders Traveling Out of State)

AS 18.65.775 requires the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states that have the legal authority to do so, enabling Alaska concealed handgun permittees to carry concealed handguns in those states.

The Department of Public Safety reviews legislation in other states to determine whether a reciprocity agreement is required or whether an existing agreement remains valid.

States That Recognize Valid Alaska Concealed Handgun Permits

As listed by the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the following 37 states recognize valid Alaska CHPs:

1. Alabama
2. Arkansas
3. Arizona (formal agreement)
4. Colorado
5. Delaware
6. Florida (formal agreement)
7. Georgia
8. Idaho
9. Indiana
10. Iowa
11. Kansas
12. Kentucky
13. Louisiana
14. Maine
15. Michigan
16. Minnesota
17. Mississippi
18. Missouri
19. Montana
20. Nebraska
21. Nevada
22. New Hampshire
23. North Carolina
24. North Dakota (formal agreement)
25. Ohio (formal agreement)
26. Oklahoma (formal agreement)
27. Pennsylvania (formal agreement)
28. South Carolina
29. South Dakota (formal agreement)
30. Tennessee
31. Texas (formal agreement)
32. Utah
33. Vermont
34. Virginia
35. West Virginia
36. Wisconsin
37. Wyoming (formal agreement)

Some of these states have formal written reciprocity agreements with Alaska (noted above), while others recognize Alaska permits through their own state laws or policies without requiring a written agreement.

States That Do NOT Recognize Alaska Concealed Handgun Permits

The following 13 jurisdictions do not recognize Alaska CHPs:

1. California
2. Connecticut
3. Hawaii
4. Illinois
5. Maryland
6. Massachusetts
7. New Jersey
8. New Mexico
9. New York
10. Oregon
11. Rhode Island
12. Washington
13. Washington, D.C.

Traveling Outside Alaska with an Alaska Permit

The Alaska Department of Public Safety emphasizes several critical points for Alaska permit holders traveling to other states:

• Alaska's laws do not apply outside of Alaska. An Alaska permit holder who is allowed to carry concealed in a reciprocal state must comply with that state's restrictions and laws.
• Alaska permits are not valid in any other country. The laws of the destination country must be understood and followed.
• Permanent relocation: An Alaska permit holder who permanently moves to another state must comply with that state's laws for obtaining a concealed carry permit.
• Each state's laws differ: Not all states have the same firearms laws, and the Alaska CHP holder is responsible for understanding and complying with the laws and regulations of each state they visit.

Federal Protections for Interstate Transport

While not addressed in detail in the Alaska-specific sources, the Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA), 18 U.S.C. § 926A, provides federal protection for the interstate transport of firearms. Under FOPA, a person who is legally entitled to possess a firearm in their state of origin and their destination state may transport the firearm through states where they might not otherwise be permitted to carry, provided the firearm is unloaded and not readily accessible (e.g., locked in the trunk or a locked container separate from ammunition). This federal protection applies regardless of reciprocity agreements but does not authorize concealed carry in non-reciprocal states — it only covers transport.

Additionally, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA), 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B–926C, allows qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms nationwide, subject to certain conditions, independent of state reciprocity agreements.

Disqualifying Factors Under Alaska Law

While Alaska recognizes all out-of-state permits, the following Alaska criminal statutes still apply to anyone carrying a firearm in Alaska:

• Felony conviction: Under AS 11.61.200(a)(1), it is a crime (misconduct involving weapons in the third degree, a class B felony) for a person to knowingly possess a concealable firearm after having been convicted of a felony or adjudicated a delinquent minor for felony-level conduct. An exception exists if 10 or more years have elapsed since unconditional discharge and the prior conviction was not for an offense under AS 11.41 (crimes against persons), per AS 11.61.200(b)(1)(C).
• Prohibited weapons: Under AS 11.61.200(a)(3), manufacturing, possessing, transporting, selling, or transferring a prohibited weapon (explosive devices, bombs, grenades, etc.) is a class B felony.
• School grounds: Under AS 11.61.195(a)(2), knowingly possessing a firearm on school grounds (public or private preschool, elementary, junior high, or secondary school) or on an adjacent parking lot without permission of the chief administrative officer is misconduct involving weapons in the second degree, a class B felony.
• Impairment: Under AS 11.61.200(a)(4), knowingly selling or transferring a firearm to a person whose physical or mental condition is substantially impaired by alcohol or controlled substances is a crime.

Why Obtain an Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit?

Even though Alaska allows permitless concealed carry within the state, obtaining an Alaska CHP provides the following benefits:

• Reciprocity in other states: The Alaska CHP is recognized in 37 other states, allowing permit holders to carry concealed when traveling.
• Permittee status: Holding a valid permit provides formal documentation of eligibility, which may simplify interactions with law enforcement both in Alaska and in other states.

Key Statutes