{"id":371431,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/alaska-law\/alaska-gun-control-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-30T11:15:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T16:15:00","slug":"alaska-gun-control-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alaska-law\/alaska-gun-control-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Alaska Gun Control Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alaska Gun Control Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Gun control is a hotly debated topic in the United States. Advocates raise the issue of mass shootings and the level of firearm use in cases of suicide and homicide. Opponents focus on the right to bear arms set forth in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In the middle are those who find that responsible gun ownership and public safety can coexist.<\/p>\r\n

In 2022, Congress passed and President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act<\/a>. It was the first new federal gun control proposal to become law since 1994. The law expanded background checks through the federal NICS<\/a> program and local systems for the purchase of firearms by persons under 21 years old. It created federal crimes for gun trafficking and straw purchases, where a third party purchases a firearm for a person otherwise prohibited by law from possession. <\/p>\r\n

The act required private sellers who engage in gun sales predominantly for profit to obtain a federal firearms license. Finally, it provided significant funding for state programs focused on mental health intervention, including support for systems implementing red flag<\/a> laws. Alaska’s Senator Lisa Murkowski was a key vote in support of the law.<\/p>\r\n

Alaska Gun Control Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

Although there are important federal laws<\/a> that regulate gun purchases and ownership, most gun control laws occur at the state level. In Alaska, gun laws reflect minimal regulation of ownership, use, or possession of a firearm. In general, Alaska gun laws are less restrictive than those of many other states. <\/p>\r\n

For example, the state of Alaska does not require a waiting period for gun buyers. Instant background checks are required when a purchase occurs through a federally licensed firearms dealer. If a purchase occurs through a private sale, there is no background check requirement.<\/p>\r\n

Alaska provides for permitless carry of concealed weapons for otherwise law-abiding gun owners. Residents who are not prohibited by state or federal law may carry a concealed firearm in most public places, with certain excepted locations. These include:<\/p>\r\n