Guns and Airplanes in Alaska

[brewha]

This is a two part question.

1st, is it a law that you have to have a loaded handgun in your plane if you fly in Alaska? I heard this from a pilot and am wondering if it is true. He said that it is basically a safety precaution. If you get stuck in the Alaskan wilderness (due to weather or aircarft problems), you need a gun to protect yourself from animals and/or to hunt if you are stuck there for a long period of time.

This guy I talked to spends his summers in Alaska and his winters in WI. Here’s the second part of the question. I wish I would’ve thought to ask him.

It is my understanding that handguns are prohibited in Canada. So, if you have to have a handgun in Alaska and you can’t have a handgun in Canada, how do you make the trip up there?

[pkbites]

@brewha

It is my understanding that handguns are prohibited in Canada. So, if you have to have a handgun in Alaska and you can’t have a handgun in Canada, how do you make the trip up there?

If flying there from the USA you simply put it in your CHECKED baggage and declare it when checking in for your flight. I don’t know what happens if you have to make a connecting flight in Canada.

I’m not sure what happens if driving there. I wouldn’t take a handgun through Canada (I wouldn’t drive to Alaska either, though!)

[Lemur866]

I’ve driven the Alaska Highway a couple of times. It’s not so bad, nowadays the whole thing is paved, although you’re pretty much guaranteed to run into extensive road construction/repair a couple of times.

But, I’ve never tried to bring a gun along. I do remember my Dad bringing along a rifle during one trip as a kid…but that was 30 years ago.

[Fugaway]

@brewha

This is a two part question.

1st, is it a law that you have to have a loaded handgun in your plane if you fly in Alaska?

No, you were never required to specifically have a handgun. The statute used to read:

Section 02.35.110 EMERGENCY RATIONS AND EQUIPMENT.

(a) An airman may not make a flight inside the state with an aircraft unless emergency equipment is carried as follows:

(1) the following minimum equipment must be carried during the summer months:

(A) food for each occupant sufficient to sustain life for two weeks;

(B) one axe or hatchet;

(C) one first aid kit;

(D) one pistol, revolver, shotgun or rifle, and ammunition for same;

It has been changed now so that a firearm is no longer required.

He said that it is basically a safety precaution. If you get stuck in the Alaskan wilderness (due to weather or aircarft problems), you need a gun to protect yourself from animals and/or to hunt if you are stuck there for a long period of time.

That was the reason, yes.

It is my understanding that handguns are prohibited in Canada. So, if you have to have a handgun in Alaska and you can’t have a handgun in Canada, how do you make the trip up there?

The easiest way is to not take a handgun. A rifle or (preferably) a shotgun would make a much better weapon.

[pkbites]

@Fugaway

The easiest way is to not take a handgun. A rifle or (preferably) a shotgun would make a much better weapon.

True, but I’m not certain that he’d get away with carrying a rifle around in the bigger cities, even with Alaskas libertarian open carry laws.

A handgun can be concealed in Alaska with no permit needed.

[Lemur866]

But we’re talking about driving to Alaska with a firearm. You certainly can drive around with a rifle in your vehicle in Alaska.

[brewha]

I guess I should have been more specific about the transportation. He flys his private plane to Alaska in the summer.

He said that he carries a handgun with him because a rifle or shotgun takes up too much room and is not as easy to secure for flight.

So, since it is no longer required, I guess it’s not really an issue. Thanks for the responses.

[pkbites]

@brewha

So, since it is no longer required

Take one anyway. Better to have it and not need it that need it and not have it

[Xema]

When I flew a small plane to Alaska, a firearm was among the things you were required to carry while in Canadian airspace. Since handguns were not permitted, the choice was between a rifle and a shotgun. We took a Mini-14. We were actually ramp-checked once (at Watson Lake) - we passed with flying colors.

[ElvisL1ves]

For flying over Canada, the rules are a little vague:

The complete CAR requirement states:

Survival Equipment—Flights over Land
602.61

Subject to subsection (2), no person shall operate an aircraft over land unless there is carried on board survival equipment, sufficient for the survival on the ground of each person on board, given the geographical area, the season of the year and anticipated seasonal climatic variations, that provides the means for
a. starting a fire;
b. providing shelter;
c. providing or purifying water; and
d. visually signalling distress.
Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of
a. a balloon, a glider, a hang glider, a gyroplane or an ultra-light aeroplane;
b. an aircraft that is operated within 25 nautical miles of the aerodrome of departure and that has the capability of radiocommunication with a surface-based radio station for the duration of the flight;
c. a multi-engined aircraft that is operated south of 66o 30’ north latitude
i. in IFR flight within controlled airspace, or
ii. along designated air routes;
d. an aircraft that is operated by an air operator, where the aircraft is equipped with equipment specified in the air operator’s company operations manual, but not with the equipment required by subsection (1); or
e. an aircraft that is operated in a geographical area where and at a time of year when the survival of the persons on board is not jeopardized.

Specific recommended-equipment lists follow, but there is no mention of firearms.

[Chefguy]

@Lemur866

But we’re talking about driving to Alaska with a firearm. You certainly can drive around with a rifle in your vehicle in Alaska.

Many years ago, you could take them across, but they had to be sealed. More recently (scroll about 3/4 of the way down), you can still take a non-prohibited rifle or shotgun across, but you have to fill out a registration form and pay a $50 fee.