Questions Posted to "Ask a Dispatcher"
Q. I was wondering, what the laws are with carrying a firearm, with all these nice weather days we have been having, my wife and I have been going on a lot more hikes up the mountains and on the Juneau forest service trails out the road. We are thinking about bringing our 1 year old with us one of these days, but would feel a lot better knowing in case something goes wrong there is that extra protection. Anything we need to know about rules with carrying a gun on these trails?
Thank you.
Dear Juneau Resident,
I am hoping the nice weather comes back! Soon!
One of the local USFS law enforcement officers told me you are fine to carry a handgun while hiking as long as you comply with state laws 11.61.190 to 11.61.220, which are at
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/folio.asp. Most of the restrictions are ones you could probably guess. Don't be drunk, don't shoot on or near a road, that kind of thing.
Also, shooting is prohibited within 150 feet of a trail or where shooting endangers any person.
So, if you are attacked by a bear be sure to make your way to 150 feet off the trail before firing. If the bear has your leg curl your fingers into claws to help you crawl and try to sing 'I'm All Out of Love' by the band Air Supply in your head to lower your heart rate. Just joking! There is a self-defense/defense of others exception to the prohibition on shooting on or near a trail.
