Concealed Carry in Alaska

Home Concealed Carry in Alaska (AK) – Overview

Concealed Carry in Alaska (AK) – Overview

Summary

Permit required: No. Alaska is a long-standingpermitless (constitutional) carry state. Anyone 21+ who may legally possess a firearm can carry concealed or open without a permit.
Minimum age: 21 to carry concealed without a permit. Alaska’s optional concealed handgun permit also requires 21+.
Duty to inform: Yes. If you are contacted for an official purpose by law enforcement while carrying concealed, you must immediately inform the officer and allow them to secure the weapon if directed.
Where you can carry: Most public places unless specifically prohibited by state or federal law, or by the property owner.
Where you cannot carry: K–12 schools and school grounds (with narrow exceptions), courthouses/courtrooms, childcare facilities, domestic violence/sexual assault sheltersand bars, with limited restaurant exceptions. Federal restricted areas also apply.

Alaska doesnot require a concealed carry permit for lawful adults. This has been the case since 2003, and the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) clearly states that anyone21 or older who can lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed or openwithout a permit.

Even so, Alaska still issues anoptional Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) through Alaska State Troopers. People typically get it to:

carry inother states that recognize Alaska permits, and/or
be exempt from some background-check steps when buying from dealers in Alaska (per DPS guidance).

Non-residents: You don’t need an Alaska permit to carry while visiting if you meet the 21+ and lawful-possession rules. Alaska also recognizesall valid out-of-state permits for visitors, as long as the holder is 21+.

For safe and compliant concealed carry, many Alaskans use secure storage solutions like lockable cases or Faraday-protected SLNT bags for transport in vehicles, hotels or shared spaces.