YOUR EXPERIENCE on firearm ownership in Alaska, specifically Anchorage area.

daniel craig · Jun 17, 2020

Hey y’all, I’m trying not to get my hopes up but it looks like there might be a chance of me getting hired for a job in Anchorage.

IF the universe sees fit to drop that in my future I’d want to take my guns with me vs. selling and rebuying. I would also want to keep my pistols.

Those of you who live there, what is firearm ownership like? Are pistol permits hard to get? Is ammo bookoo expensive? The more knowledge the better!

Thanks in advance,

Daniel Craig.

Since this seems hard for some people I’ll clarify. I’m not asking for the laws that I can look up, nor am I asking for your interpretation of the laws in a state you’ve never lived in. I’m not asking for what you’ve read on the internet or what a frined of your monther-in-laws great uncles cousin thinks.

I’m asking for the experience of gun owners in Alaska. What’s it like, what sticks out to you? Do you have an anecdote along those lines.

If you’re contribution isn’t along those lines it’s really not wanted, please take the energy someplace else.

thanks!

ilbob · Jun 17, 2020

Alaska is pretty much a free state.

You can look up the rules on various sites on the Internet.

daniel craig · Jun 17, 2020

ilbob said:
Alaska is pretty much a free state.

You can look up the rules on various sites on the Internet.

Thanks for the reply. I know I can look up the rules. Rules don’t often speak to the overall experience people have and that’s more what I’m looking for.

ilbob · Jun 17, 2020

daniel craig said:
Thanks for the reply. I know I can look up the rules. Rules don’t often speak to the overall experience people have and that’s more what I’m looking for.

I just think you should read the actual rules and not rely on random people on the Internet to tell you what they are.

As for pricing, I agree that is something that might best served by talking with people who live in whatever area you plan on going to. I will point out one thing I have heard but cannot confirm - that it is pricey to get ammo shipped in. Most of the US you can get bulk ammo at decent prices by having it shipped direct to you. My understanding is that shipping ammo to Alaska is generally more problematic.

daniel craig · Jun 17, 2020

ilbob said:
I just think you should read the actual rules and not rely on random people on the Internet to tell you what they are.

Have read the rules thanks. Still firmly believe that the rules don’t paint the entire picture. They say nothing about local enforcement, how enforcement tends to react to the exercising of those rules...etc.

As far as ammo goes, I’ve heard that too.

AlexanderA · Jun 17, 2020

It would be a problem transporting the guns through Canada. You would have to ship them to an FFL in Alaska, which would add to the costs.

bearcreek · Jun 17, 2020

daniel craig said:
Have read the rules thanks.

Are you sure you've read all of them? Because this question,

daniel craig said:
Are pistol permits hard to get?

doesn't make much sense if you have. Alaska doesn't have "pistol permits" (very few states do). You can get a concealed handgun permit, but that's pretty much just for reciprocity with other states and it allows you to skip the NICS check when buying from a dealer.

bearcreek · Jun 17, 2020

AlexanderA said:
It would be a problem transporting the guns through Canada. You would have to ship them to an FFL in Alaska, which would add to the costs.

Or fly them up there.

daniel craig · Jun 17, 2020

bearcreek said:
Are you sure you've read all of them? Because this question, doesn't make much sense if you have. Alaska doesn't have "pistol permits" (very few states do). You can get a concealed handgun permit, but that's pretty much just for reciprocity with other states and it allows you to skip the NICS check when buying from a dealer.

Read them after the guy suggested. I appreciate the callout though.

And even reading them the question is still valid. You don’t NEED one in Alaska but they still issue them for reciprocity reasons. How hard is it to get, is therefore still a valid question.

I appreciate anything more you might have to contribute to the discussion.

daniel craig · Jun 17, 2020

AlexanderA said:
It would be a problem transporting the guns through Canada. You would have to ship them to an FFL in Alaska, which would add to the costs.

That’s definitely something to consider. I wonder if I could take them on a boat to not have to go through Canada. Probably easier to just mail them.

Steve S. · Jun 17, 2020

My experience in Alaska was that firearms are part of the culture, very common, used, carried, needed - so is indigenous homelessness, the yuppie culture, bear bells, drug addiction, alcohol addiction and higher prices for just about everything. If you are a lover of the outdoors, it is heaven. If you are a lover of raw beauty, it is heaven. Personally, I would want to carry a sidearm in Alaska for many reasons - some of the bears seemed aggressive, some of the people seemed aggressive - but what a beautiful place!

climbnjump · Jun 17, 2020

daniel craig said:
That’s definitely something to consider. I wonder if I could take them on a boat to not have to go through Canada. Probably easier to just mail them.

The timing of your move might also present an issue. Because of COVID restrictions, you might have trouble scheduling shipment on a boat/ship. I'm not saying it wouldn't be possible, but if you are thinking about taking that route, you might want to check into it sooner than later.

As far as driving through Canada with firearms - pistols and ARs would be a no-go. If you have only a few hunting type rifles and/or shotguns, then you should be ok. I've done it a couple times and it hasn't been a problem. You need to plan ahead and fill out the appropriate Customs paperwork BEFORE you start your trip. You can call Canadian Customs and they will be happy to answer you questions.

Regarding COVID restrictions... If you are relocating to AK for a job, you will definitely need to be able to document that at the US/Canada border if you are driving. Currently, AK residents are allowed to travel through Canada to and from the lower 48. Tourists aren't, hence the need for documentation of your relocation.

Back to ammo... I have a buddy who lives in Anchorage. While he is a big hunter, he has only one rifle and that is chambered in 300 WSM. Finding ammo for that up there is difficult and he buys it down here when he comes to visit relatives. Ammo for standard calibers such as .308 Win, .223 Rem, .30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, etc is usually available. But out-of-mainstream calibers could present a problem.

climbnjump · Jun 17, 2020

Steve S. said:
If you are a lover of the outdoors, it is heaven. If you are a lover of raw beauty, it is heaven. Personally, I would want to carry a sidearm in Alaska for many reasons - some of the bears seemed aggressive, some of the people seemed aggressive - but what a beautiful place!

Yeah, pretty much. Also moose encounters in the city of Anchorage are pretty common. I was up there fishing with my buddy last August and when we got back to town, there was a cow moose in his backyard chewing off his garden. That was in a fairly densely populated residential area less than 3 miles from the Ted Stevens airport. In years past, I've had to pull off the bike path and wait for moose to get out of the way. You don't want to be biking so fast that you speed around a corner and run into a cow with a calf...

Texas10mm · Jun 17, 2020

It's not a "pistol permit". You don't need a permit to own a pistol.

Any person over the age of 21 can carry a pistol, concealed or open. Here's what it takes to get an Alaska CHP.

To summarize it, Take the class, fill out the paperwork and pay the fee.

WestKentucky · Jun 17, 2020

Agreed on needing to hear firsthand experience rather than just read rules.

OP is talking about moving for work, so we know he will be working, therefore not available at all hours of the day and for extended wait periods. Many places have limited office hours and they always seem to cater to the retired or unemployed because a working man can never make it to the bank/courthouse/dmv during hours of operation. If “they” (whatever agency is needed) limit their open hours to noon to 4 on fridays because they have 6 people a week come through the office then he needs to know that.

George P · Jun 17, 2020

AlexanderA said:
It would be a problem transporting the guns through Canada. You would have to ship them to an FFL in Alaska, which would add to the costs.

Couldn't you just take them in your vehicle on the ferry from Seattle area?

CapnMac · Jun 17, 2020

@AlexanderA makes a good point.
You might have to ship your US arms by sea, or use a pair of FFL. Our Canadian neighbors are pretty conscientious about what crosses their border.

George P said:
Couldn't you just take them in your vehicle on the ferry from Seattle area?

It's about 1400 miles from Seattle to Anchorage, and, as far as I know, not auto-carrying ferry makes the journey.

At least Washington has "cooled off" a bit from it's previous C19 issues. Oregon is having an ugly spike right now, and may close down again. Montana is is a similar problem, but only in its biggest city. Bringing any of several kinds of magazines and arms into CA could also be an issue.

In thinking about it, the answer might actually be air freight--not FedEx or the parcel carriers, but a dedicated freight outfit. You probably can't move ammo that way, though. But, you might be able to common carrier the ammo by ground.

But that's speculative on my part.

magyars4 · Jun 17, 2020

Been up there twice...great people and the most beautiful country I have ever seen!
Never forget stopping in a bar somewhere south of Anchorage and there was a guy in there about five foot nothing in height with two revolvers in a double shoulder holster rig....barrels looked like they were 8"( but probably just seemed like it )sitting next to him was a guy with a blue mohawk and multiple piercings....

climbnjump · Jun 17, 2020

CapnMac said:
It's about 1400 miles from Seattle to Anchorage, and, as far as I know, not auto-carrying ferry makes the journey.

Yeah, there are some, here is one: https://www.alaskaferry.com/

It's not cheap, probably over 3 grand for one passenger, one cabin, one pickup sized vehicle from Bellingham, WA to Whittier just south of Anchorage. But if one is moving up there, it might be the way to go.

daniel craig · Jun 17, 2020

I could probably replace my whole gun collection for 3k

CapnMac · Jun 17, 2020

climbnjump said:
Yeah, there are some, here is one: https://www.alaskaferry.com/

It's not cheap, probably over 3 grand for one passenger, one cabin, one pickup sized vehicle from Bellingham, WA to Whittier just south of Anchorage. But if one is moving up there, it might be the way to go.

Good to know, thanks!

Ed Ames · Jun 17, 2020

CapnMac said:
It's about 1400 miles from Seattle to Anchorage, and, as far as I know, not auto-carrying ferry makes the journey.

I’m pretty sure the Alaska Marine Highway still runs. State of Alaska operated auto-carrying ferry service. You can drive your RV on and ride the boat north, if you have the $$$$.

https://bookamhs.alaska.gov/book/journey/journeySearch/

mjsdwash · Jun 17, 2020

Info already there, deleted.

Ernie Bass · Jun 17, 2020

daniel craig said:
Have read the rules thanks. Still firmly believe that the rules don’t paint the entire picture. They say nothing about local enforcement, how enforcement tends to react to the exercising of those rules...etc.

As far as ammo goes, I’ve heard that too.

I does not matter what local enforcement does or how they react. If they tend to look the other way is fine, but then if you have to use it for self defense and the roof falls in, the cops will go by the book of law along with the Prosecuting attorney.

daniel craig · Jun 17, 2020

Ernie Bass said:
I does not matter what local enforcement does or how they react. If they tend to look the other way is fine, but then if you have to use it for self defense and the roof falls in, the cops will go by the book of law along with the Prosecuting attorney.

Wish I had your faith. For every law there are countless loopholes. There are jerks who like to harass you even if you’re not doing anything illegal (it’s super common in NY).

All that is besides the point. I didn’t ask about what the laws are, I can look those up. I’m asking what people’s experiences are. If you haven’t anything to contribute along those lines why bother contributing at all?

YOUR EXPERIENCE on firearm ownership in Alaska, specifically Anchorage area.

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

member

Member

member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

member

Member

Similar threads