Alaska Gun Laws

[Bobson]

Hey folks. I'm beginning to look into a potential move from Arizona to Alaska, pending a job coming through.

Is there anything about Alaska's gun laws that I might want to be aware of, right off the bat? I know I could look them up, I'm just wondering if any of you have lived there, and recall anything specific that was largely different from any of the lower free states.

Also, we're thinking that we'll end up moving our possessions ourselves, and driving through Canada (obviously). Anyone know if Canada has any obscure laws that would prevent me from lawfully moving my firearms in a uhaul?

Thanks in advance, as always. Sort of lost as to where I should start my search.

 

[USAF_Vet]

They have gun laws up there?

 

[RedMinotaur]

A couple of resources that may be helpful for you:

NRA-ILA Gun Laws Page

OpenCarry.org's maps

For Alaska-specific information, see here and here.

 

[KodiakBeer]

There really aren't any gun laws to speak of.

But you'd do well to look into crossing the Canadian border with your firearms. Lots of pitfalls with that depending on whether your guns are prohibited in Canada. And there are pitfalls with mailing your handguns to an FFL in Alaska because federal law prohibits the FFL from transferring handguns back to you since you aren't a state resident.

The simplest solution is to put your car (and guns) on the ferry in Bellingham, WA, and ride to Whittier or beyond so you don't have to cross any of Canada. It sounds expensive, but when you factor in gas and hotels it's actually pretty reasonable.

 

[Rio Laxas]

When entering someone else's house, you are required to notify them that you are carrying. You are also required to notify a police officer that you are carrying during a traffic stop or other police contact. While open carry is perfectly legal and protected by state preemption, I have heard reports of people being hassled / fined for open carrying in certain municipalities. The one that I can recall is Palmer, where an individual was cited for open carry under a municipality ordnance that was voided by state preemption. They did not appeal / contest the charge for whatever reason, which is rather surprising since it would seem to be a slam dunk.

Take as much ammo as you can. Ammo cost is high and availability is somewhat limited. Most of the common calibers you won't have any trouble with. You cannot easily order ammo online and have it delivered to an AK address. Bring a reloading press if you can.

If your profession takes you out to the bush, you can carry on smaller flights, which are not screened by TSA at the airports.

Long guns are fine through Canada as long as you complete the paper work. Handguns are possible, but very difficult and would require a fair amount of prep work / licensing. I would not suggest trying to enter Canada with handguns. Also, there are many reports of people being turned away at the border for minor criminal history. I have seen people turned away for DWIs that were 20+ years old. The ferry is a good route but book way early. It seems that the Alaska Marine Highway System has changed their booking system lately, so that may be to your advantage.

 

[Bobson]

You are also required to notify a police officer that you are carrying during a traffic stop or other police contact.

If I do make the move, it will be because I'll have been accepted as an Alaska State Trooper Recruit, so I'll be made aware of any notify type of laws.

Thanks for the responses and links. I appreciate the help.

The simplest solution is to put your car (and guns) on the ferry in Bellingham, WA, and ride to Whittier or beyond so you don't have to cross any of Canada. It sounds expensive, but when you factor in gas and hotels it's actually pretty reasonable.

I grew up in western Washington, but didn't realize any of the ferries go all the way up to Alaska. Thanks a lot, that's something we'll most definitely look into.

 

[KodiakBeer]

I grew up in western Washington, but didn't realize any of the ferries go all the way up to Alaska.

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.shtml?gclid=CIzdnbzrgq0CFQhbhwodvSlwSg

 

[Jeff H]

I'd be more worried about the climate change than any change in the gun laws between those two states. Both are rated pretty poorly (a zero for both states) by our favorite rating group. http://bradycampaign.org/stategunlaws/



By the way, I heard it is cold up there. That might take some adjustment coming from AZ.

 

[Carne Frio]

Bringing guns to the lower 48 to Alaska can be tricky.
I had mine put in with my household goods and had
a commercial mover bring mine up. Most of the Alaska
State Ferry System trips from down there end up going
through at least part of Canada. Below is a link to some
info from Canada on guns. Good luck with your new job !

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5044-eng.html

 

[Mainsail]

While open carry is perfectly legal and protected by state preemption, I have heard reports of people being hassled / fined for open carrying in certain municipalities.

How could someone be fined for doing something perfectly legal that is protected by State preemption?

People who don't fight usually don't because they know they're in the wrong. Outstanding warrant? If we can carry a sidearm openly in Washington cities like Seattle without harassment, I doubt it would be a problem in Alaska.

 

[Carne Frio]

People who open carry are not hassled by law enforcement, unless
they are doing something illegal. Being under the influence of any
legal or illegal substance while in control of a firearm is a chargeable
offense. Everything that is not made or grown up here costs more.
I saw a guy, last year, who was open carrying a large revolver purchase
a shotgun at a big box store. After he was finished, the clerk who
made the sale, had to carry the new gun to the door with the customer.
Evidently the armed customer could not be trusted to do it himself.

 

[Birch Knoll]

All it takes is for a police officer to issue a citation for some all-purpose offense, like disturbing the peace/breach of peace/disorderly conduct/etc. Now you're holding a ticket with a fine attached. Go and contest it, if you want. You might win. Or you might lose -- just because open carry is legal doesn't mean you can't be found guilty on some cooked-up infraction.

 

[Stophel]

Could you not simply have a friend ship your guns to you UPS or something? (of course, if it was a lot of them, it would be costly!)

 

[KodiakBeer]

Most of the Alaska
State Ferry System trips from down there end up going
through at least part of Canada.

Not applicable unless you drive your car off the ferry.

 

[Stophel]

I think basically the ship/ferry/boat is considered "American soil" isn't it?

 

[Mainsail]

All it takes is for a police officer to issue a citation for some all-purpose offense, like disturbing the peace/breach of peace/disorderly conduct/etc.

Are you making a factual claim of this being true in Alaska or in your state of Maine? Having been involved in open carry for almost five years now, I have head this threatened, but haven never heard of it actually happening. It couldn't happen here in Washington, so I can only guess you're talking about AK or ME, or just making it up.

 

[KodiakBeer]

When Alaska did away with CCW laws, a few municipalities tried to pass their own ordinances against permitless concealed or open carry. The State Supreme Court quickly struck them all down. Any such stories date from that period, ten or more years ago.

You can carry anywhere you want, open or concealed with or without a permit, with the usual exceptions of schools, court houses, etc. The cops are universally tolerant of this. It's Alaska and nobody cares.

 

[Bobson]

I saw a guy, last year, who was open carrying a large revolver purchase a shotgun at a big box store. After he was finished, the clerk who
made the sale, had to carry the new gun to the door with the customer.
Evidently the armed customer could not be trusted to do it himself.

I've never been to a store where customers carry newly-bought firearms to the door exit themselves.

Cabela's, Sportsman's Warehouse, even WalMart all have the cashier walk you out, carrying the firearm box for you until you walk through the door. I thought that was a standard practice, as I've never seen it differently.

 

[Birch Knoll]

Are you making a factual claim of this being true in Alaska or in your state of Maine? Having been involved in open carry for almost five years now, I have head this threatened, but haven never heard of it actually happening. It couldn't happen here in Washington, so I can only guess you're talking about AK or ME, or just making it up.

I have no idea whether this has actually happened in Alaska. That wasn't the question. The question was "How could someone be fined for doing something perfectly legal that is protected by State preemption?" That's how someone could be fined for doing something perfectly legal.

However, I will say that if you are under the impression that police in Alaska, Washington, Maine, or anyplace else never use charges of disorderly conduct, loitering, disturbing the peace or similar vaguely-defined infractions to assert authority in situations where no actual crime has been committed, then good for you. May you never find out differently.

Why do you say it couldn't happen in Washington? Cops can't write tickets there?

 

[armoredman]

I was considering moving to Alaska myself, to try my hand at their correctional system, also coming from AZ, but I feel I would probably freeze into one solid block of desert rat.

 

[Rio Laxas]

How could someone be fined for doing something perfectly legal that is protected by State preemption?

People who don't fight usually don't because they know they're in the wrong. Outstanding warrant? If we can carry a sidearm openly in Washington cities like Seattle without harassment, I doubt it would be a problem in Alaska.

Beats me. See post 28 and down for the person that told the story:

http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php/46152-Anchorage-Concealed-Carry/page2

I live there seasonally and have never been hassled for open carry.

 

[Jeff H]

I've never been to a store where customers carry newly-bought firearms to the door exit themselves.

Interesting. I've never been to a real gun shop that you couldn't carry your firearm out yourself. This only happens at big box stores.

 

[AK_Maine_iac]

It was a lot easier 20 years ago when i move from Maine to Alaska. I had all of my firearms (rifles, shotguns and handguns) in my checked luggage with no questions asked. Flew by Delta. Times have changed.
Open carry, CCW who care as long as your of legal age and not a felon. But you darn well speak up and let any LEO know that you are carrying if your stopped or approached for any reason. that way 99 percent of the time they well just say thank you and carry on with business.

 

[Birch Knoll]

I've never been to a store where customers carry newly-bought firearms to the door exit themselves.

Interesting. I've never been to a real gun shop that you couldn't carry your firearm out yourself. This only happens at big box stores.

Indeed. Real gun shop staff don't wet their pants when people walk out of the store with the gun they just bought, all on their own.

 

[bikemutt]

The big box gun store thing is more rooted in paying for the gun; they don't allow counter employees to handle the money side of things. They also don't want buyers who purchased a firearm to continue wondering around the store with the the gun(s) until they finally decide to check out. It's really not hard to figure out how this could turn into a cluster.