More about Alaska
Can I bring a firearm?
By Leon Unruh / Alaska.com
Alaskans sometimes carry firearms when hiking or fishing in bear country. Large-caliber rifles and 12-gauge shotguns loaded with buckshot or slugs seem to be favored. Some handguns, notably .44 Magnum and .357 Magnum, are worn. But often practicing the rules of bear safety removes the risk of a bear encounter.
The carrying of firearms -- shotguns, rifles and handguns -- is generally allowed unless it is specifically outlawed by a park, city or other authority. For example, you can't tote a firearm as you hike across Denali National Park.
Some parks forbid firearms (or operative firearms) altogether, some allow a firearm to be carried only in self-defense, and other places allow a firearm to be carried as long as it's handled in accordance with safety rules and state laws. Check with the local authorities or park ranger.
Travelers coming through Canada may not bring firearms. That includes ferry passengers whose boat stops at Prince Rupert, British Columbia, or those who disembark at Haines or Skagway intending to drive through Canada to reach the Alaska Highway. Airlines have their own rules for packing firearms; the best thing to do is check with them.
Personal safety may also be an issue for some visitors. Concealed weapons are allowed in Alaska, with restrictions. The Alaska State Troopers handle questions on that subject.
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