Alaska has operated as a permitless carry state since September 9, 2003. Any adult 21 or older who is not prohibited under state or federal law may carry a concealed handgun without a permit, background check, or training requirement.
The state maintains an optional Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) system under Alaska Statutes 18.65.700–18.65.790 for residents who want credentials for interstate reciprocity or to qualify for federal licensing exceptions. The Alaska Department of Public Safety issues these permits on a shall-issue basis to qualified applicants.
This guide addresses Alaska's concealed carry framework, including statutory restrictions on carry locations, reciprocity provisions, and federal law overlays that apply regardless of permitless carry status. Laws change frequently—verify critical details with official Alaska sources before carrying.
Is Concealed Carry Legal in Alaska?
Yes. Alaska Statute 11.61.220 and Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) guidance confirm there is "no prohibition against carrying a concealed weapon" for individuals 21 or older who are otherwise lawful.
Eligibility for permitless carry:
- Minimum age 21
- Not prohibited from possessing firearms under state or federal law
- No permit, training, or background check required under state law
- Applies equally to Alaska residents and non-residents
DPS summarizes Alaska's framework concisely: "Alaska's laws do not prohibit anyone 21 or older who may legally possess a firearm from carrying it concealed or open. A firearms permit is not required."
Critical age restriction: DPS emphasizes that out-of-state permits held by individuals 18–20 years old "do not override Alaska laws, and a person under 21 is NOT allowed to carry a concealed handgun in Alaska." This applies to non-residents attempting to rely on their home-state permits—Alaska's 21-year minimum supersedes all out-of-state credentials for carry within Alaska.
Residency: Permitless carry does not depend on residency. Any lawful person 21+ may carry concealed in Alaska, whether they are residents or visitors.
Concealed Handgun Permits in Alaska
Alaska's optional permit system under AS 18.65.700–18.65.790 remains available for residents despite permitless carry being legal.
Permit designation: Permit to carry a concealed handgun, commonly referred to as the Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP)
Issuing authority: Alaska Department of Public Safety, through the Alaska State Troopers
Statutory issuance language: AS 18.65.700(a) provides that "The department shall issue a permit to carry a concealed handgun to a person who" meets the qualifications and completes application requirements, establishing Alaska's shall-issue framework.
Eligibility requirements:
- Minimum age 21
- Alaska resident for at least 90 days
- Not prohibited from possessing firearms under state or federal law
- No convictions for two or more Class A misdemeanors (or similar laws in another jurisdiction) within the preceding six years
- Not currently under court order to complete an alcohol or substance abuse treatment program, nor under such an order within the preceding three years
Training requirement: Applicants must submit evidence of successful completion of a handgun course as provided in AS 18.65.715. The course must include safe handgun use, safe storage, legal aspects of handgun use including self-defense law, and firing qualification, taught by a certified instructor.
The training must be completed within 12 months prior to application. DPS explicitly states: "there are no online or correspondence courses or programs outside of Alaska that are approved."
Validity period: Permits are valid for five years from the date of issuance, expiring on the permit holder's birthday in the fifth year, unless revoked. The duration may be adjusted so that it does not exceed five years.
Renewal: Permit holders may renew beginning 90 days before expiration. Renewal during this window costs $25.00.
Late renewals made after expiration but within 60 days cost $50.00. Permits may not be renewed after being expired more than 60 days; holders must complete the new permit process including a new competency course.
Lost or damaged permits: May be replaced by completing a replacement request form and submitting it with a $25.00 fee and new photograph.
Non-resident permits: Alaska does not issue non-resident CHPs. Non-residents rely on permitless carry provisions or their home-state permits under Alaska's reciprocity framework.
Application fee: New permit applications cost $87.00. Fees are non-refundable if the permit is not approved.
Where Concealed Carry Is Prohibited in Alaska?
Alaska Statutes 11.61.195–11.61.220 establish specific locations where firearms are prohibited:
K-12 schools: AS 11.61.195 (misconduct involving weapons in the first degree) prohibits possession of firearms in or on public or private K-12 school buildings and grounds, including parking lots and school buses, absent permission of the chief administrative officer.
Child care centers: AS 11.61.220(a)(7) prohibits knowingly possessing a firearm, openly or concealed, "within the grounds of, or on a parking lot immediately adjacent to, a child care center," other than a private residence.
Courts and courthouses: AS 11.61.220 prohibits firearms in "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."
Domestic violence and sexual assault shelters: AS 11.61.220 prohibits firearms in "a domestic violence or sexual assault shelter that receives funding from the state," whether carried openly or concealed.
Bars and alcohol-related locations: DPS guidance notes that "the possession of a firearm at courthouses, school yards, bars and domestic violence shelters will continue to be prohibited," with "bars" referring to premises where alcoholic beverages are sold for on-site consumption, restricted by AS 11.61.220 in combination with alcohol-related provisions.
Intoxication prohibition: Separate provisions prohibit carrying a firearm while intoxicated or in a manner that creates a risk to others under AS 11.61.210 (reckless discharge and related misconduct provisions).
Signage and private property: Alaska statutes do not create a general, standalone offense for merely entering a posted "no firearms" private business with a concealed handgun.
Property owners may restrict firearms on their premises under general property and trespass law. A person who refuses to leave or disarm after notice can face trespass charges, though the firearms-specific statute does not give all signage independent criminal force.
Some specific facilities (courthouses, child care centers, funded shelters) are statutorily off-limits regardless of signage—the prohibition flows from the statute itself, not from posted signs.
Notable exemptions: Law enforcement officers and certain officials acting within the scope of their duties are exempted from some location restrictions under AS 11.61.195–.220. School-related exceptions may allow firearms locked in vehicles in parking areas under particular circumstances, or with written permission of the chief administrator.
Concealed Carry Reciprocity in Alaska
Alaska recognizes out-of-state permits with limitations. DPS notes that Alaska's permitless carry framework means anyone 21+ who is lawful may carry concealed without a permit.
Additionally, Alaska Statute 18.65.748 provides that "a person holding a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun from another state or a political subdivision of another state is considered a permittee under Alaska law."
Critical age restriction: DPS stresses that permits held by 18–20-year-olds from other states "do not override Alaska laws," and such individuals remain barred from concealed carry in Alaska despite their out-of-state license. Alaska's 21-year minimum cannot be bypassed through out-of-state permits.
Alaska permits recognized elsewhere: Alaska's CHP is designed to meet training and background-check standards demanded by other shall-issue states. Many states recognize the Alaska CHP for concealed carry, though some only recognize resident permits.
AS 18.65.775(b) requires DPS to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states that have legal authority to do so, allowing Alaska permittees to carry concealed in those states subject to their laws.
One-way reciprocity consideration: Because Alaska is permitless, the practical reciprocity question is often one-way. Alaska residents seeking to carry in more restrictive states may need the Alaska CHP, while non-residents do not need reciprocity to carry in Alaska itself if 21+ and lawful. Some states recognize Alaska permits only for residents, or only when the holder is 21+, and some may impose additional restrictions beyond Alaska's rules.
Federal Restrictions That Still Apply in Alaska
Federal law continues to control certain locations and conduct even in Alaska's permitless carry environment:
Federal facilities: 18 U.S.C. § 930 prohibits firearms in federal facilities. DPS notes that "Alaska's laws do not apply to federal property, offices, installations, or places under federal jurisdiction," including national parks, military bases, and airports. Federal courthouses, many federal office buildings, and some areas of national parks fall under this prohibition.
Post offices: 39 C.F.R. § 232.1(l) generally bars firearms and other dangerous weapons on U.S. Postal Service property, including Alaska post offices and associated parking lots, absent official purposes.
School zones: The federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)) applies in Alaska and restricts possession of firearms within 1,000 feet of K-12 school grounds.
Exceptions exist for persons licensed by the state and for possession on private property. Alaska's optional CHP can qualify for the "licensed" exception, but pure permitless carry (without a license) does not satisfy this federal requirement.
National parks and preserves: National Park Service guidance for Alaska parks reiterates that firearms possession in national parks follows state law for possession but remains subject to federal facility bans inside posted buildings and federal criminal law.
Interstate travel: 18 U.S.C. § 926A provides a safe-passage rule for transporting unloaded, secured firearms between states where the person may legally possess them.
This applies to movement into, out of, and through Alaska, including via the Alaska Highway through Canada, which triggers additional foreign-law considerations outside the scope of Alaska statutes.
Recent Legal Changes or Trends
Permitless carry longevity: Permitless carry has been in place since September 9, 2003, so there has been no recent fundamental shift in Alaska's basic "constitutional carry" framework in the last 24–36 months.
Statutory stability: Recent statewide criminal-law updates have focused more on specific weapon categories (prohibited weapons under AS 11.61.200) and violent-crime enforcement than on ordinary concealed-carry eligibility. The statutory list of prohibited locations (schools, child care centers, courts, funded shelters) remains in force.
No major judicial changes: No major Alaska Supreme Court or Ninth Circuit decisions in the last 2–3 years appear to have invalidated core Alaska concealed-carry statutes. Most recent federal litigation on firearms policy has centered on other states.
Post-Bruen stability: Policy discussions continue nationally after cases like New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, but Alaska already fit a permissive model and has not had to overhaul its carry statutes in response. State materials continue to present the same 21+ permitless rule and the longstanding CHP framework.
Current status: As of early 2026, Alaska remains a permitless carry state with age 21+ requirements, and the statutory list of prohibited locations remains unchanged.
Common Misunderstandings About Concealed Carry in Alaska
"Alaska allows anyone 18+ to carry concealed."
False. AS 11.61.220 and DPS guidance explicitly tie lawful concealed carry to being 21 or older. DPS clarifies that "several states have provisions that allow 18-21 year olds to have concealed carry permits. Those permits do not override Alaska laws, and a person under 21 is NOT allowed to carry a concealed handgun in Alaska."
"Having an out-of-state permit lets me ignore Alaska's location restrictions."
False. Neither AS 11.61.195–.220 nor DPS materials provide any exemption from Alaska's prohibited-place rules for non-resident permit holders.
Prohibited locations (schools, child care centers, courts, certain shelters, and bars) remain off-limits regardless of any out-of-state permit. DPS's "In Alaska" guidance emphasizes that there is "no prohibition against carrying a concealed weapon so long as the prohibited behaviors regarding the carry are respected," making clear that conduct and location restrictions apply to all carriers, permitted or not.
"Because Alaska is permitless, signs and property rules don't matter."
False. Alaska does not have a blanket "sign carries force of law" statute for all private businesses, but property owners can restrict weapons on their premises and enforce those restrictions through trespass law if someone refuses to leave or disarm after notice.
For specific statutorily prohibited places—such as courts, child care centers, and state-funded domestic violence or sexual assault shelters—the prohibition flows directly from AS 11.61.195–.220, and a person can be criminally liable simply for possessing a firearm there, whether the location is posted or not.
"There's no reason to get an Alaska permit since carry is permitless."
False. While Alaska does not require a permit to carry concealed in-state, AS 18.65.700–.790 create a CHP that satisfies training and background standards recognized by many other states, allowing Alaska residents to carry concealed when traveling in those states subject to their laws.
The CHP can also provide advantages under federal law—for example, qualifying as being "licensed by the state" for purposes of the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act exception, something that permitless carry status alone does not provide.
"Alaska's permitless carry applies to all firearms."
Misleading. Alaska's permitless carry framework applies to handguns. Higher-degree misconduct statutes (AS 11.61.190–.210) criminalize possession of certain prohibited weapons (machine guns, silencers, certain short-barreled firearms) and can affect carry in any location regardless of permitless carry status.
Practical Notes for Concealed Carriers in Alaska
Consider obtaining an optional permit even though it's not required for carry in Alaska. An Alaska CHP provides reciprocity in many other states and satisfies the federal school zone licensing exception under 18 U.S.C. § 922(q), which permitless carry does not.
Understand federal facility boundaries. Alaska's permitless carry does not override federal law. Be aware of federal property boundaries, including national parks, military installations, airports, and post offices. DPS explicitly states that Alaska laws do not apply to federal property.
The age requirement is absolute. If you are under 21, you cannot carry concealed in Alaska, period. This applies even if you hold a valid permit from another state that issues to individuals 18–20 years old. Alaska's 21-year minimum cannot be bypassed.
Permission overrides some statutory prohibitions. AS 11.61.195–.220 prohibit carry in certain facilities "without express permission."
In practice, facility operators can grant individual permission even for otherwise restricted locations like schools or athletic facilities, though obtaining such permission may be difficult or impractical.
Training requirements for permits are Alaska-specific. DPS does not approve online or correspondence courses, nor programs outside of Alaska. If you want an Alaska CHP, you must complete an in-person, Alaska-approved handgun course within 12 months of application.
NICS exemption available. The Alaska CHP is approved by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as an alternative to the point-of-sale NICS background check. Applicants can request their permit be labeled "NICS Exempt" by completing a supplement form.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about Alaska concealed carry laws and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently, and enforcement practices vary. Always verify current statutes and regulations with official Alaska sources, such as the Alaska Department of Public Safety, before making carry decisions. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
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