Brief Overview Of Alaska State Laws Concerning Air Guns
Alaska has no law restricting air guns.
How old do you need to be to purchase a BB gun, airgun, air rifle or pellet gun in Alaska?
In Alaska you must be 18 Years Old to purchase a BB gun, airgun, air rifle or pellet gun, however you can own one at 16 years old.
Alaska Air Gun Hunting Regulations
Alaska allows airguns to be used for certain species. These species include:
- Deleterious Exotic
- Ptarmigan
- Ruffed Grouse
- Small Game
- Snowshoe Hare
- Spruce Grouse
Air Gun Laws In Local Jurisdictions
Below are the additional laws and regulations pertaining to local jurisdictions in the state of Alaska.
Anchorage, Alaska – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
10.45.035 – Shooting galleries.
A. License required. No person may engage in the business of operating a shooting gallery without first obtaining a shooting gallery license from the municipal clerk. A shooting gallery license is only required if the shooting gallery activities are conducted as part of a circus, carnival, fair or other temporary amusement concession.
B. Definition. As used in this section, the term “shooting gallery” means a place where games or contests of marksmanship are conducted using rifles, pistols, shotguns, pellet guns, BB guns or similar devices which project or propel bullets, cartridges, shot, pellets, BB’s or similar projectiles toward fixed or moving objects.
C. Application for license; qualifications of applicant. The applicant for a shooting gallery license must be at least 18 years of age. The application shall contain a detailed statement of:
1. The live ammunition and firearms used; and
2. The safeguards employed for containing discharged ammunition within the area.
Cordova, Alaska – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
9.36.020 – Discharge prohibited.
It is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm including air pistols, air rifles, pellet guns, dart guns and paint-ball guns within the city limits. This section does not apply to:
A. A person who is an authorized officer of the United States, the state of Alaska or the city of Cordova who is authorized to use firearms in the enforcement of any law or ordinance and who is actually engaged in such enforcement;
B. A person who is protecting life and/or property;
C. A person who is safely target practicing within the confines of a building; or
D. Any group of people who are engaged in a gun safety educational program or organized gun use sport.
(Ord. 893, 2003).
Fairbanks, Alaska – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
Sec. 46-291. – Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Dangerous weapon means a firearm, an air gun or BB gun, a knife other than an ordinary pocketknife having a blade not more than 3½ inches in length, a dagger, slingshot, crossbow, metal knuckles, blackjack, billy or any other instrument by the use of which physical injury may readily be inflicted upon any person, but does not include any instrument or tool which is not commonly used as or considered to be a weapon and which in the circumstances under which it is possessed or used is clearly not intended to be used, or to be available for use, as a weapon.
Firearm means a weapon, including a pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun or air gun, whether loaded or unloaded, operable or inoperable, designed for discharging a shot or projectile capable of causing death or physical injury.
Switchblade knife means any knife having a blade which opens automatically:
(1) By hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife; or
(2) By operation of inertia, gravity or both.
(Code 1960, § 6.501)
Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.
Sec. 46-292. – Reserved.
Editor’s note—
Ord. No. 5876, § 2, effective March 10, 2012, repealed § 46-292, which pertained to failing to maintain firearm transaction record and derived from § 6.506 of the 1960 Code.
Sec. 46-293. – Unlawful discharge of a firearm.
A person other than a peace officer while on duty commits the offense of unlawful discharge of a firearm if he intentionally discharges any firearm except in defense of person or property or on or in a regularly established shooting gallery or rifle range.
(Code 1960, § 6.507)
Sec. 46-294. – Reserved.
Editor’s note—
Ord. No. 5876, § 2, effective March 10, 2012, repealed § 46-292, which pertained to possession of a dangerous weapon on school grounds and derived from § 6.508 of the 1960 Code.
Secs. 46-295—46-325. – Reserved.
FOOTNOTE(S):
(72) State Law reference— Weapons offenses, AS 11.61.190 et seq.
Juneau, Alaska – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
(No documented Air gun laws/ordinances) Hunting by permit.
Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
(No documented air gun ordinances) Hunting by permit.
North Slope Borough, Alaska – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
(No documented air gun ordinances) Hunting by permit.
Petersburg, Alaska – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
10.20.021 – Discharge of other weapons.
B. For purposes of this section, “other weapon” shall be defined as any weapon, other than a firearm, including bow and arrow, crossbow, spear, throwing knife, high powered sling shot, blow gun, high powered pellet gun, etc., capable of being launched, or of launching, a projectile, and likely to cause death or serious physical injury to any person struck by the weapon or projectile.
(Ord. 848 § 3 (part), 2002)
Seward, Alaska – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
10.10.030. – Discharge of weapons.
(c) The use of air rifles, BB guns and long bows is allowed by persons over the age of 16, or younger when supervised by an adult.
(Ord. 378, 1971; Ord. 93-27)
Soldotna, Alaska – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
12.28.010 – Definitions.
G. (Ord. No. 2011-007, § 1, 3-9-2011)
12.28.020 – Park property—Unlawful acts.
“Weapon” includes pistol, rifle, shotgun, revolver, mechanical gas and air operated gun, bow and arrow, slingshot and crossbows.
Disclaimer
These rules and regulations were compiled to the best of my ability. They should not constitute as legal advice. Always check with your local jurisdiction for the final ruling.