Alaska has no law prohibiting individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from purchasing or possessing firearms or ammunition. Federal law, however, prohibits the purchase and possession of firearms and ammunition by people convicted of certain domestic abuse offenses.
Alaska law provides that protective orders issued after notice and a hearing against a “household member” for victims of domestic violence may prohibit the respondent from using or possessing a deadly weapon if the court finds the respondent was in the actual possession of or used a weapon during the commission of domestic violence.1 “Household member” is defined broadly to include former and current dating partners, co-habitants, and family members.2Federal law also prohibits firearm purchase and possession by certain people subject to domestic violence protective orders.
Alaska law provides that protective orders issued after notice and a hearing against a household member for victims of domestic violence may direct the perpetrator to surrender any firearm owned or possessed if the respondent was in actual possession of or used a firearm during a domestic violence incident.3
In Alaska, a peace officer investigating a domestic violence incident may seize a deadly weapon in plain view of the officer, if he or she deems it necessary to protect the victim, the victim’s family, the officer or the public during the investigation.4 If a deadly weapon was actually possessed during or used in the domestic violence, the officer may seize all deadly weapons owned, used, possessed, or within the control of the alleged perpetrator.5 Firearms may be held as long as they are needed for evidence or until proceedings against the perpetrator have concluded. The firearm must be returned to the owner if it is no longer needed as evidence.6
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