2025 Legal Guide to Selling a Gun in Alaska (AK) for 2026

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    • Written by Maley DeVriendt
    • Post authorWritten by: Maley DeVriendt
    • Post dateDecember 19, 2024
    • Updated dateDecember 18, 2025
    • 6 min read

    How to Sell a Gun in AK for Cash: The 2026 CashMyGuns Guide

    How to Sell a Gun in Alaska for Cash in 2026

    For individuals looking to buy or sell a firearm in Alaska through a private transaction, it is essential to be familiar with both state and federal regulations before finalizing a sale.

    Staying informed about the laws governing firearm transfers ensures that all parties remain in full legal compliance. The following information has been compiled from a memorandum on State Laws and Published Ordinances provided by the Alaska Office of the Attorney General to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

    Best options for selling a gun in Alaska in 2026?

    There are many ways to handle the sale of firearms in Alaska, giving sellers a variety of options to choose from.

    • Sell to CashMyGuns.com – Alaska Best choice in 2026

      CashMyGuns.com provides a reliable online service for anyone looking to sell a firearm. Our process is simple, secure and fully compliant with Alaska firearm laws. Share the make, model and condition of your gun, and you’ll receive an instant offer right away.

    • Sell to a licensed local dealer

      One option is to sell your firearm to a licensed local dealer. This approach helps ensure full compliance with Alaska firearm laws, but sellers often receive significantly less than true market value when choosing this route.

    • Sell through a private firearm sale

      Gun owners may also complete a private firearm sale. Alaska does not require a background check for private, individual-to-individual transfers.

      Even without a background check requirement, both parties can face criminal penalties if a firearm is sold to someone who is prohibited from owning one, if the firearm is defaced, or if it is a restricted weapon such as a machine gun or explosive device. These violations can lead to serious charges, including felonies.
      View ATF guidance for private firearm transfers.

    • Dispose of a firearm legally

      If the goal is simply to dispose of a firearm legally, owners can surrender it to local law enforcement. This method is safe and compliant, but it may result in losing out on the potential value the firearm could earn in a legitimate sale.

    2026 State laws and requirements for selling a gun in Alaska

    Any individual purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer (FFL) is required by federal law, specifically the Brady Act, to complete the ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record), which the dealer must retain. The dealer is then obligated to initiate a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check on the prospective buyer. This check determines the purchaser’s eligibility to own a firearm based on federal and state prohibitions, such as felony convictions or domestic violence history. If the NICS check results in a denial that the purchaser believes is unwarranted or due to an error, a formal appeal process is available to challenge the decision and potentially receive clearance for the firearm purchase.

    Alaska is recognized for having highly permissive gun laws, including Constitutional Carry, which allows any person legally entitled to possess a firearm to carry it concealed without a permit. For private firearm sales, the state does not require a universal background check; however, sellers must adhere to federal and state prohibitions by taking reasonable steps to verify the buyer is not legally disqualified from owning a firearm, such as having a felony conviction or a domestic violence-related offense. Therefore, while transactions between private individuals are not regulated by mandatory background checks, sellers retain the essential legal responsibility to ensure the buyer’s eligibility and follow best practices for a lawful transfer.

    2026 Rules on Black Powder and Antique Firearms in Alaska

    Under federal law, black powder firearms that meet the criteria of being “antique firearms” are specifically excluded from the definition of a modern firearm. Consequently, these antique weapons may be lawfully possessed by individuals who would otherwise be prohibited from owning conventional firearms. Furthermore, black powder intended for use in these antique firearms for sporting, recreational, or cultural purposes is not classified as ammunition, allowing prohibited persons to possess it in quantities up to 50 pounds.

    2026 Restrictions on Firearm Ownership in Alaska

    Alaska’s approach to firearm sales largely aligns with federal law, requiring buyers to be at least 18 years old to purchase rifles, shotguns, and ammunition, and a minimum of 21 years old to purchase handguns from licensed dealers. The state maintains a highly permissive stance, as it does not require any state-level permits or mandate the registration of firearms. Nonetheless, any person seeking to purchase a firearm in Alaska must meet the eligibility criteria established by federal law (seen below), as well as any relevant state prohibitions, and must not fall into any category that legally disqualifies them from owning or possessing a weapon.

    FEDERAL DISQUALIFICATION CATEGORIES

    • Conviction (felony or misdemeanor) where the crime has a maximum imprisonment term exceeding 1 year (even if a buyer did not receive actual imprisonment exceeding 1 year).
    • Warrant (felony or out-of-state misdemeanor).
    • Felony pre-trial release.
    • Misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence restraining/stalking/protection order mental health adjudication or commitment.
    • Unlawful use or addicted to a controlled substance (including marijuana).
    • Dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
    • Renounced U.S. citizenship.
    • Illegal alien.

    Save the Hassle, Sell your Gun to Cash My Guns

    If navigating Alaska’s gun laws for a private transaction seems overly complicated, Cash My Guns offers a simplified, safe, and fully legal alternative for selling your handgun or long gun while ensuring 100% compliance with all state and federal regulations.

    The process is streamlined for your convenience: simply inform Cash My Guns which firearm(s) you wish to sell, receive a competitive offer, and upon acceptance, you will be provided with prepaid shipping materials to mail the gun directly to their licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL).

    This arrangement takes the burden of legal transfer off the seller, making the process quick, hassle-free, and safe, culminating in payment via check delivered to you within a few days of the firearm’s receipt.

    When you use Cash My Guns, you get the following unbeatable benefits!

    Free gun appraisal  –  Fair price for your gun –  Free shipping

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    2026 Alaska General Resources

    “DISCLAIMER”

    The content on this website is provided as a general informational resource and should not be interpreted as legal advice. While CashMyGuns.com makes every effort to gather and present accurate, reliable, and up to date information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the material on this site or any external links.

    Anyone using the information found here does so at their own risk. Before selling or transferring a firearm, users should always consult official Alaska firearm law resources or seek guidance from a qualified attorney to ensure full legal compliance.

    2026 Alaska Gun Sale FAQ's

    • Can I legally sell a gun in Alaska in 2026?

      Yes, you can legally sell a firearm in Alaska in 2026. Alaska has some of the most permissive gun laws in the United States, with no state-level requirements for permits, registration, or background checks for private sales. You must verify that the buyer is 18 or older for rifles and shotguns, and 21 or older for handguns, and ensure they are not a prohibited person under federal law.

    • Do I need a permit to sell a handgun in Alaska?

      No, Alaska does not require a permit to sell a handgun in a private transaction. The state has no permit-to-purchase system, no waiting periods, and no firearm registration requirements. Alaska law prohibits local municipalities from enacting stricter gun regulations than state law, making firearms sales relatively straightforward throughout the state.

    • Can I sell a gun directly to another person for cash?

      Yes, private cash sales are legal in Alaska between residents who are legally eligible to own firearms. State law does not require background checks, identification verification, or bills of sale for private transactions, though these are recommended practices. You must ensure the buyer is at least 18 for long guns or 21 for handguns and is not prohibited from firearm ownership.

    • Do I need to register my gun before selling it?

      No, Alaska does not have gun registration, so there's no requirement to register your firearm before, during, or after a sale. The state specifically prohibits municipalities from creating local registration requirements, ensuring consistent laws throughout Alaska.

    • What are the age requirements for selling firearms in Alaska?

      Under Alaska law, buyers must be at least 18 years old to purchase rifles, shotguns, and ammunition. For handguns, buyers must be at least 21 years old. Alaska statute makes it a class A misdemeanor to knowingly sell a firearm or defensive weapon to a person under 18 years of age.

    • How can I ensure the buyer is legally allowed to own a firearm?

      While Alaska doesn't mandate background checks for private sales, federal law prohibits selling to prohibited persons, including convicted felons, those with domestic violence convictions, individuals with active warrants, people dishonorably discharged from the military, those adjudicated as mentally defective, and illegal aliens. Though not legally required, you can request a valid ID to verify age and residency, or complete the transfer through a licensed dealer who can perform a background check.

    • Can I sell my gun online in Alaska?

      Yes, you can sell guns online through various platforms and marketplaces. For in-state transactions, you can arrange to meet the buyer and complete the sale directly following Alaska's private sale laws. If shipping a firearm to a buyer in another state, federal law requires the gun be sent to a licensed dealer (FFL) in the buyer's state for transfer.

    • What information should I include in a bill of sale?

      While Alaska law does not require a bill of sale for firearm transactions, creating one is highly recommended for your protection. A comprehensive bill of sale should include the make, model, caliber, serial number of the firearm, both buyer's and seller's names and addresses, date of sale, sale price, and signatures from both parties. This documentation can protect you if the firearm is later used in a crime or reported stolen.

    • Are there restrictions on selling certain types of firearms?

      Yes, certain firearms require compliance with federal law under the National Firearms Act (NFA). Alaska law specifically prohibits possession, sale, transfer, or manufacture of devices made to muffle firearm reports (silencers), short-barreled shotguns (under 18-inch barrel), short-barreled rifles, and certain other modified firearms without proper federal permits. Machine guns, destructive devices, and firearms with removed or altered serial numbers are also restricted.

    • What's the safest way to sell my gun in Alaska?

      The safest way to sell your gun is through a licensed firearms dealer (FFL) who can handle the transaction professionally, maintain proper records, and ensure compliance with all federal and state laws. For private sales, best practices include meeting in a safe public location, verifying the buyer's identification and age, creating a bill of sale, and ensuring the buyer is legally eligible to own firearms. Never sell to someone who appears intoxicated or whose mental condition seems substantially impaired.

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