State profile · AK
Alaska Concealed Carry Laws & Reciprocity
An Alaska resident permit (Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit (ACHP)) is honored in 36 of the other 50 US jurisdictions, and 1 more allow permitless carry even though they do not recognize the permit itself. In the other direction, Alaska recognizes valid carry permits from every US state. Alaska allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
Alaska concealed carry reciprocity map
Where an Alaska resident permit is valid. Each state links to the rules for that trip.
- Permit honored
- Honored + permitless carry
- Permitless carry only
- Not honored
- Confirm case-by-case
- Alaska
Which states honor an Alaska ACHP? (36)
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Where an Alaska permit is not honored (14)
Permitless carry still applies (1): South Carolina
No lawful carry on this permit (13): California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington
Where an Alaska permit is honored, state by state
Click any destination for the full rules — duty to inform, magazine limits, off-limits places, and official sources.
* a load-bearing fact could not be fully verified — confirm with the official source before carrying.
Whose permits Alaska honors
Alaska recognizes valid concealed-carry permits from every US state and DC.
Under AS 18.65.748 a person holding a valid permit from another state is treated as an Alaska permittee (no resident-only condition); in practice recognition matters little because anyone 21+ who may legally possess may carry permitless. Under-21 carriers are NOT covered even with an out-of-state permit.
Alaska at a glance
- Permit
- Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit (ACHP)
- Issued by
- Alaska Department of Public Safety (Permits and Licensing Unit)
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Resident minimum age
- 21
- Non-resident permits
- Not issued
- Permitless carry
- Yes (21+)
- Duty to inform
- Yes
- Magazine limit
- None
Can you carry in Alaska without a permit?
Alaska allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
DPS: anyone 21 or older who may legally possess a firearm may carry it concealed (or open) without a permit; permitless since 2003. No exception to the 21 minimum age regardless of another state's permit.
Is Alaska an open carry state?
Yes. Alaska allows open carry of a handgun without a permit for people who may legally possess one.
Adults 21 and older who may legally have a gun can carry it openly or concealed without a permit.
How to get an Alaska concealed carry permit
- Minimum age
- 21
- Fee
- $87 (new, resident)
- Training
- A department-approved handgun competency course completed within 12 months before applying; no online or out-of-state courses accepted
- Valid for
- 5 years
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue (must be granted if you qualify)
Alaska issues no non-resident permits; the application needs fingerprints, a photo and the course certificate.
Does Alaska issue non-resident permits?
No. Alaska does not issue carry permits to non-residents. DPS: 'No non-resident permits are issued.' Applicant must have been physically in Alaska 90+ days and intend to remain indefinitely; legal resident aliens meeting residency may apply.
Do you have to tell police you are carrying in Alaska?
Alaska imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. DPS FAQ: when contacted by a law enforcement officer while carrying concealed you must IMMEDIATELY inform the officer that you possess the firearm; failure to do so is a criminal offense (AS 11.61.220).
Carrying in a vehicle in Alaska
A loaded concealed handgun may be carried in a vehicle without a permit by anyone 21+ who may lawfully possess; the immediate duty to inform applies on any police contact.
Where you can't carry in Alaska
- K-12 schools and school grounds
- Child care facilities
- Courthouses and court system offices
- Private premises displaying notices that firearms are prohibited
Editor's verification notes
The reciprocity list on the DPS site is about which states honor Alaska permits outbound, not inbound recognition. DPS FAQ prohibited-places list is expressly non-exhaustive ('including, but not limited to'); statute (AS 11.61.220) also restricts loaded carry in places serving alcohol — akleg.gov blocked automated access so that item is omitted rather than cited unofficially.
Frequently asked questions
- Which states honor an Alaska carry permit?
- Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. The table on this page links to the detailed rules for each destination.
- Does Alaska recognize out-of-state carry permits?
- Under AS 18.65.748 a person holding a valid permit from another state is treated as an Alaska permittee (no resident-only condition); in practice recognition matters little because anyone 21+ who may legally possess may carry permitless. Under-21 carriers are NOT covered even with an out-of-state permit.