Knives and pepper spray in Alaska (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Alaska excludes an ordinary pocket knife from its concealed deadly weapon rules, and a person aged 21 or older must tell a peace officer on contact about a concealed deadly weapon; under 21, carrying one concealed is an offence. Switchblades and gravity knives are not prohibited weapons, but a minor under 16 needs parental consent to possess one. The weapons offences set no blade-length limit. Selling a switchblade, gravity knife or mace-type defensive weapon to a person under 18 is an offence.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Folding pocket knivesCarrying in public places | An ordinary pocket knife is excluded from the concealed deadly weapon offences in AS 11.61.220(a)(1) and (a)(6). [1] |
| Locking or one-handed knivesCarrying in public places | A person under 16 may not possess a switchblade or gravity knife without a parent's or guardian's consent. Selling or transferring one to a person under 18 without written parental consent is an offence. [1] |
| Fixed-blade knivesCarrying in public places | A person 21 or older who knowingly has a concealed deadly weapon other than an ordinary pocket knife or a defensive weapon must, when contacted by a peace officer, immediately inform the officer and allow it to be secured. A person under 21 may not carry one concealed. A deadly weapon includes a knife. [1] |
| Pepper sprayCarrying in public places | A defensive weapon is an electric stun gun or a device that dispenses mace or a similar chemical agent. It is excluded from the concealed deadly weapon rules, and selling one to a person under 18 is an offence. [2] |
| Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places | For a person under 21, it is an affirmative defence that the person was in the person's dwelling or on land owned or leased by the person next to the dwelling, or was engaged in lawful hunting, fishing, trapping or another outdoor activity that needs a weapon for personal protection. [1] |
| Automatic (switchblade) knivesCarrying in public places | Switchblades and gravity knives are not on Alaska's list of prohibited weapons. Selling or transferring one to a person under 18 without prior written parental consent is an offence, and an unemancipated minor under 16 may not possess one without a parent's or guardian's consent. [1] |
| Blade length limitsCarrying in public places | No blade-length limit appears in Alaska's misconduct-involving-weapons offences (AS 11.61.190 to 11.61.220); they use 'deadly weapon' and 'ordinary pocket knife' instead. [1] |
| Pepper spray: size and age limitsCarrying in public places | A device that dispenses mace or a similar chemical agent is a 'defensive weapon'. Knowingly selling one to a person under 18 is an offence; no container-size limit or permit appears in the weapons offences. [2] |
Notes
- The statute does not define 'ordinary pocket knife'.
- The sections read (AS 11.61.190 to 11.61.220) do not ban adults from carrying a switchblade or gravity knife.
Sources
- Alaska State Legislature: Alaska Statutes 11.61.190-11.61.220 Misconduct involving weapons (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Alaska State Legislature: Alaska Statutes 11.81.900 Definitions (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
More rules in Alaska
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+ within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 6 plants (3 mature), 12 per dwelling
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 20 mph business, 25 mph residential · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 14 (instruction permit)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (sold by permit holders) · Minimum age to buy: 18
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $14.00 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Texting only (voice calls allowed)
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, age 16+ · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, age 16+
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Any amount (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.