Montana Concealed Carry Laws
Last reviewed: June 13, 2026
Constitutional Carry
Yes
Open Carry
Lawful
Permit honored in
33 states
Montana honors
43 states
Montana Gun Laws
Reciprocity of Montana's Basic Resident Permit
Permit honored
Permitless carry
Not honored
Open Carry
Lawful
Duty to Notify Law Enforcement
Only when asked by the officer
State Parks
Concealed Carry is legal in accordance with state laws that regulate the right to carry
Restaurants Serving Alcohol
Concealed carry is generally permitted in restaurants with bars, provided the individual is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs (per MCA 45-8-327) and the establishment has not explicitly prohibited firearms.
Firearms at Colleges
Schools individually decide the weapons policy.
Firearms at K-12 Schools
Montana permittee with loaded handgun in vehicle only is lawful but localities have power to regulate this further.
Church Carry
Churches act like any other private property and may restrict
on a church by church basis
on a church by church basis
Hotels
No legal restriction - Reference article on page 67
Secure Storage Requirements
None
Magazine Capacity Limitations
No restrictions
Suppressor Ownership
Ownership & Hunting Legal.
Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit
Montana has no prohibitions against carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle
Firearm Law Uniformity
Mostly uniform throughout state but some local regulation of public areas is possible
Permit Training Requirements
You must have completed any one of the following: Montana Hunter Ed Course, State Approved Course, Any course from a National Firearms Group, or possess a DD214
Non-Resident Permits
Not available
Constitutional Carry
Yes
Duty to Retreat
No Duty to Retreat
Places Off Limits
portions of a building used for state or local government offices and related areas in the building that
have been restricted;
a bank, credit union, savings and loan institution, or similar institution during the institution's normal
business hours. It is not an offense under this section to carry a concealed weapon while:
(i) using an institution's drive-up window, automatic teller machine, or unstaffed night depository; or
(ii) at or near a branch office of an institution in a mall, grocery store, or other place unless the person is
inside the enclosure used for the institution's financial services or is using the institution's financial
services.
a room in which alcoholic beverages are sold, dispensed, and consumed under a license issued under
Title 16 for the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
Except as authorized by the management of a railroad, it is unlawful for a person not authorized to carry a
weapon in the course of his official duties to knowingly or purposely carry or transport firearms on a train in
this state unless, prior to boarding, the person has delivered all firearms and ammunition, if any, to the
operator of the train.
A person commits the offense of possession of a weapon in a school building if the person purposely and
knowingly possesses, carries, or stores a weapon in a school building.
A parent or guardian of a minor commits the offense of allowing possession of a weapon in a school
building if the parent or guardian purposely and knowingly permits the minor to possess, carry, or store a
weapon in a school building.
Except as provided in subsection (2), a county, city, town, consolidated local government, or other local
government unit may not prohibit, register, tax, license, or regulate the purchase, sale or other transfer
(including delay in purchase, sale, or other transfer), ownership, possession, transportation, use, or
unconcealed carrying of any weapon, including a rifle, shotgun, handgun, or concealed handgun.
A county, city, town, consolidated local government, or other local government unit has power to
prevent and suppress the carrying of concealed or unconcealed weapons to a public assembly, publicly
owned building, park under its jurisdiction, or school, and the possession of firearms by convicted felons,
adjudicated mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and minors.
have been restricted;
a bank, credit union, savings and loan institution, or similar institution during the institution's normal
business hours. It is not an offense under this section to carry a concealed weapon while:
(i) using an institution's drive-up window, automatic teller machine, or unstaffed night depository; or
(ii) at or near a branch office of an institution in a mall, grocery store, or other place unless the person is
inside the enclosure used for the institution's financial services or is using the institution's financial
services.
a room in which alcoholic beverages are sold, dispensed, and consumed under a license issued under
Title 16 for the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
Except as authorized by the management of a railroad, it is unlawful for a person not authorized to carry a
weapon in the course of his official duties to knowingly or purposely carry or transport firearms on a train in
this state unless, prior to boarding, the person has delivered all firearms and ammunition, if any, to the
operator of the train.
A person commits the offense of possession of a weapon in a school building if the person purposely and
knowingly possesses, carries, or stores a weapon in a school building.
A parent or guardian of a minor commits the offense of allowing possession of a weapon in a school
building if the parent or guardian purposely and knowingly permits the minor to possess, carry, or store a
weapon in a school building.
Except as provided in subsection (2), a county, city, town, consolidated local government, or other local
government unit may not prohibit, register, tax, license, or regulate the purchase, sale or other transfer
(including delay in purchase, sale, or other transfer), ownership, possession, transportation, use, or
unconcealed carrying of any weapon, including a rifle, shotgun, handgun, or concealed handgun.
A county, city, town, consolidated local government, or other local government unit has power to
prevent and suppress the carrying of concealed or unconcealed weapons to a public assembly, publicly
owned building, park under its jurisdiction, or school, and the possession of firearms by convicted felons,
adjudicated mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and minors.
State Contact / Source
Attorney General of Montana
215 N Sanders / PO Box 201401
Helena MT 59620-1401
406-444-2026
www.dojmt.gov
215 N Sanders / PO Box 201401
Helena MT 59620-1401
406-444-2026
www.dojmt.gov
Permit Issuing Authority
Local county sheriff
Length of Permit Validity
4 Years
Permit Application Process
Apply in person at county sheriff office.
Montana Permit Reciprocity
Reciprocity shown is for a standard resident permit. Non-resident and enhanced permit holders may have different reciprocity. Always verify before carrying. Use our full permit reciprocity map for all permit types →
Your Montana resident permit is honored in 33 states
AK
AL
AR
AZ
CO
FL
GA
IA
ID
IN
KS
KY
LA
MI
MO
MS
NC
ND
NE
NH
NV
OH
OK
PA
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
VT
WI
WV
WY
Montana honors resident permits from 43 states
AK
AL
AR
AZ
CA
CO
CT
FL
GA
IA
ID
IL
IN
KS
KY
LA
MA
MD
MI
MN
MO
MS
NC
ND
NE
NJ
NM
NV
NY
OH
OK
OR
PA
SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
WA
WI
WV
WY
Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website from publicly available sources; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not a government agency is not affiliated with a government agency and is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.
Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website from publicly available sources; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not a government agency is not affiliated with a government agency and is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.
Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.



