Coming up in June for some fishing. Any problems carrying a handgun while doing so? Thanks

Airport security will be your biggest problem.

Don't even think about going thru Kanada w/ a handgun.

I pack a s.s. .44 mag on the hip any place I'm worried about brunos.

Have done it a couple of times, once caribou hunting in 2006, and once fishing last September. Never saw a bear close, but plenty of sign. My wife and I are headed back this year just prior to Memorial Day.

My pistol of choice is an early S&W Model 19 with 2.5 barrel and loaded with 180 Buffalo Bore hard cast bullets. This past year I also carried bear pepper spray - which is cheapest at Wal Mart in Anchorage. Can't fly spray with you, but the firearm is really no problem. Last time I put it in a locked hard plastic case inside a big duffel. Lock was tiny and plastic cheap. The TSP guy didn't even want to look at it, nor the rifle or shotgun in my Tuff-Pak. Just fill out the declaration and remember only two firearms per piece of luggage.

You'll have to be close regardless, probably 10 yards or so, before you can use the gun legally. Many think the spray is really effective. With bears, I'm sort of the "belt AND suspenders" type. Spray first, shoot second.

You are more likely to be in a car wreck on the way to the airport, or on the highway out of Anchorage, than you are to be attacked by a bear.

Have fun.

Put in your checked luggage and check it in at the ticket counter. You don't need a CCW in Alaska. Anyone that's not precluded by law can carry a concealed handgun in Alaska, even non-residents. So carrying one is definitely not an issue. Carrying a firearm for protection while hunting/fishing is actually recommended.
FWIW, I am a cerrtified Alaska police officer.

Lou

Dr Lou

So are you saying that i can come over for a trip and go and buy myself a pistol? or would i have to get somebody to buy it for me?and then legally carry it.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by bumscratcher:
Dr Lou

So are you saying that i can come over for a trip and go and buy myself a pistol? or would i have to get somebody to buy it for me?and then legally carry it.

Dave

The "Buy it for me" will cost both of you 10yrs & 10,000 buckoos

Sorry, I was responding to Mike, whose signature says he's from CA. In his case, he can place a pistol in his checked luggage and fly it to AK. Once there, he can carry it concealed. Us, straw deals are illegal.

DAM

Just buy a can of pepper spray for $40, and give it away when you are done with your trip. Bear attacks are quite rare, look up bare behaviour and don't be stupin bear country.

Unless one is an excellent shot with a big bore handgun, it is an expensive false sense of security. I've seen the way most people shoot at the range. If a non moving paper target is in little risk at 10 paces, then an attacking bear isn't going to improve one's ability to shoot.