I’m heading to Alaska later this week with the family. The plan is to spend some time in both Anchorage and Fairbanks. I almost always carry a concealed weapon on me, to include traveling. I’m wondering, though, if I should on this trip. What say you? Take it, like always, or leave it?

Are you driving or flying? Big yes if flying

I'd have something with me unless on the off chance of wandering into Canada...

You know its going to be cold up there..?? We're not accustomed to that kinda weather.

Take your firearm, but check the entry and quarantine requirements for arrival and for your flight. I haven't been to Anchorage for a month, but they were getting quite draconian. You'll either need to get a test before you go have have proof and results, or get a test at the airport on arrival, and quarrantine until you get the results.

Alaska is firearm-friendly.

We are flying. Already planning to get a COVID test
No chance of going into Canada, as they are not allowing entry due to COVID.

Hopefully we have enough / proper clothing. We have gone to Canada around this time of year for the past few years-mainly for snowboarding.

This trip will be more general sightseeing and aurora chasing.

Glock 29SF would be my choice for a trip to Alaska. The 10mm has some extra punch for boring through trouble. That said if in Brown Bear country I'd go with a S&W 629.

Alaska does not require a permit for concealed carry. Bears are in hibernation so no worry about those. A pissed off moose is always a possibility. My phone has been lighting up with winter storm and high wind warnings for Anchorage today. Glad I'm in Arizona at the moment, multiple storms blowing in with lots of snow predicted.

As mentioned, Alaska does have travel restrictions in place. Link to site below with info. Get tested in advance, the cost for testing out of state residents at the airport is $250. Also fill out the travel declaration in advance, it will save time at the airport.

http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi...COVID-19/travel.aspx

Never been there in hard winter. I have always carried on my fishing and hunting trips however. S&W 629 Trail-boss is my go to pistol for Alaska.

I wonder if they even have ammo in AK? They could be as bad off as we are down here. Most of us CC because of dirt bags we might run into. AK has enough as it is.

quote:

Originally posted by rburg:
I wonder if they even have ammo in AK? They could be as bad off as we are down here. Most of us CC because of dirt bags we might run into. AK has enough as it is.

You know you can take your own ammo, right?

If you can carry, you should carry.

Always carry when you can and wherever you can no matter how much extra work or discomfort it brings. Someone I met who was a contractor for an intelligence agency in Iraq during the troubles stated that on the office exit door there was a sign reading "If you do not have a gun on you when you need it, you may never need a gun again."

My father, who had seen the tiger, (he was one of the Chosin Few) ... once told me:

"Son, just about the worse thing you can do in this life is kill a man, in fact there is only one thing worse than that, to have the need and not the means."

I carry when I can and suggest the same to others. The only reason I didn't carry last time I was in AK was I was on a cruise.

As mentioned, you don't need a permit in Alaska. Last time I went up there was a few years ago. Alaska Airlines counter staff didn't bat an eye when I checked my S&W .44, I think they see it all the time. And yeah, definitely take your own ammo, you never know whether you'll be able to find it there these days. Just be careful to follow the FAA and airlines' rules and you'll be fine. I don't know whether the quarantine rules apply only to travelers arriving in Anchorage, or to the entire state. If not, there are direct flights to Fairbanks from numerous lower-48 cities. The drive from Fairbanks to Anchorage is a beautiful one, weather permitting. Denali is socked in much of the year, but when I was up there in March 2014 it was completely clear. YMMV.

Alaska airlines is very gun friendly, I’ve travelled with them ~ 20 times in the past 3 years and had guns and ammo every time, never had a single issue.

No permit needed in Alaska, you couldnt pay me to live in anchorage but where I live most people just open carry and nobody bats an eye.