Buying a Gun in Alaska
The age to buy a gun in Alaska, background checks for dealer and private sales, any waiting period, and rules on ghost guns.
Short answer: Knowingly selling a firearm or a defensive weapon to a person under 18 is misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor; this applies to any seller, not only dealers. AS 11.61.210(a)(5), (a)(6), (d); AS 11.61.220(a)(3), (j)
| Age to buy a gun | Knowingly selling a firearm or a defensive weapon to a person under 18 is misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor; this applies to any seller, not only dealers. Selling or transferring a switchblade or gravity knife to someone under 18 without a parent's or guardian's prior written consent is the same crime. An unemancipated minor under 16 who possesses a firearm without the consent of a parent or guardian commits a class B misdemeanor. Alaska has no state law that sets a higher minimum age (such as 21) to buy a handgun or long gun. Reviewed AS 11.61 Article 2 (Weapons and Explosives, AS 11.61.190-11.61.250) and AS 18.65 (all articles, incl. Article 10 concealed handgun permits and Article 11 firearms) on akleg.gov (Alaska Statutes 2025) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. |
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| Background checks and private sales | Alaska has no state law that requires a background check, permit-to-purchase or license for private (non-dealer) firearm sales. State law does make it a crime to knowingly sell or transfer a concealable firearm to a person convicted of a felony (class C felony), to knowingly sell or transfer a firearm to a person who is substantially impaired by alcohol or drugs (class C felony), or to knowingly sell a firearm to a person under 18 (class A misdemeanor). Reviewed AS 11.61 Article 2 (Weapons and Explosives, AS 11.61.190-11.61.250) and AS 18.65 (all articles, incl. Article 10 concealed handgun permits and Article 11 firearms) on akleg.gov (Alaska Statutes 2025) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. |
| Waiting period | Alaska has no state law that requires a waiting period between buying and receiving a firearm. Reviewed AS 11.61 Article 2 (Weapons and Explosives, AS 11.61.190-11.61.250) and AS 18.65 (all articles, incl. Article 10 concealed handgun permits and Article 11 firearms) on akleg.gov (Alaska Statutes 2025) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. |
| Ghost guns and homemade firearms | Alaska has no state law that requires serial numbers on homemade firearms or regulates unfinished frames, receivers or gun kits. It is a class C felony to remove, cover, alter or destroy a manufacturer's serial number on a firearm to make it untraceable, or to knowingly possess a firearm whose serial number was altered with that intent. Reviewed AS 11.61 Article 2 (Weapons and Explosives, AS 11.61.190-11.61.250) and AS 18.65 (all articles, incl. Article 10 concealed handgun permits and Article 11 firearms) on akleg.gov (Alaska Statutes 2025) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. |
More Alaska gun laws
- Concealed Carry in Alaska
- Open Carry in Alaska
- Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in Alaska
- All Alaska gun laws rules
FAQ
How old do you have to be to buy a gun in Alaska?
Knowingly selling a firearm or a defensive weapon to a person under 18 is misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor; this applies to any seller, not only dealers. Selling or transferring a switchblade or gravity knife to someone under 18 without a parent's or guardian's prior written consent is the same crime. An unemancipated minor under 16 who possesses a firearm without the consent of a parent or guardian commits a class B misdemeanor. Alaska has no state law that sets a higher minimum age (such as 21) to buy a handgun or long gun.
Do private gun sales need a background check in Alaska?
Alaska has no state law that requires a background check, permit-to-purchase or license for private (non-dealer) firearm sales. State law does make it a crime to knowingly sell or transfer a concealable firearm to a person convicted of a felony (class C felony), to knowingly sell or transfer a firearm to a person who is substantially impaired by alcohol or drugs (class C felony), or to knowingly sell a firearm to a person under 18 (class A misdemeanor).
Is there a waiting period to buy a gun in Alaska?
Alaska has no state law that requires a waiting period between buying and receiving a firearm.
Are ghost guns legal in Alaska?
Alaska has no state law that requires serial numbers on homemade firearms or regulates unfinished frames, receivers or gun kits. It is a class C felony to remove, cover, alter or destroy a manufacturer's serial number on a firearm to make it untraceable, or to knowingly possess a firearm whose serial number was altered with that intent.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.