Montana Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Yes, open carry is allowed without a permit. Any person who is at least 18 years old and who is legally entitled to possess a firearm can open carry, however, local municipalities may prohibit open carry in publicly owned and occupied buildings. 

[Mont. Code Ann. § 45-3-111]

Concealed weapon means means a firearm that is wholly or partially covered by the clothing or wearing apparel of the person carrying or bearing the weapon.

[Montana Code Ann. § 45-8-315]

Yes. As of February 18, 2021, HB-102 was signed into law making it legal to concealed carry without a permit except in government buildings, offices and restricted locations.

Yes. Montana mandates a sentence enhancement for any conviction for a crime in which bodily injury was inflicted, attempted, or threatened by someone who knowingly used or carried a handgun loaded with armor-piercing ammunition.

[Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-224(1)]

Yes. These are legal for purchase and possession. Byrna guns are not classified as firearms under Montana law.

A landlord or operator of a hotel or motel may not, by contract or otherwise, prevent a tenant or a guest of a tenant from possessing on the premises a firearm that it is legal for the tenant or guest to possess. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information

[Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-110(15)]

Yes, without a permit. Per the Montana Department of Justice FAQ website, Montana law does not regulate how firearms are carried in a vehicle.

[MT DOJ Firearm FAQs]

Yes, as of February 18, 2021, HB-102 was signed into law making it legal to concealed carry in places where alcohol is served, provided you are not be under the influence.

[2021 House Bill 102 revisions to Mont. Code Ann. §§ 45-8-328 and 45-8-327]

Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux - Yes, with a valid permit from any state. Title 7 Ch. 4 Sec 401
Blackfeet Tribe - Only with a permit approved by the Law and Order Commission. Ch. 5 Part 4 Sec 3
Chippewa Cree Indians - No
Crow - No
Assiniboine & Gros Ventre - Only with a permit approved by appropriate authorities. Part 4 Sec. 2.1
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes - Yes, with a valid Montana permit. 2-1-1201
Northern Cheyenne - No

There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Montana, but out-of-state permit holders must be carrying a permit and ID.

[Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-329]

No. The public cannot access concealed carry registry information through public records law in the state of Montana.

No. Montana does not have a red flag law.

No definition of brandishing was found in Montana law. However, a person is guilty of disorderly conduct if he or she creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act that serves no legitimate purpose.

[Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-101]

A person commits the offense of assault with a weapon if the person purposefully or knowingly causes bodily injury to another with a weapon or reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury in another by use of a weapon or what reasonably appears to be a weapon.

[Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-213]

Not while under the influence of an intoxicating substance.

[Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-327]

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgment, slow your reaction times or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

No.

Yes.

14 years old. It is unlawful for a parent, guardian or other person having charge or custody of a minor child under the age of 14 years to permit the minor child to carry or use in public any firearms, except when the child is accompanied by a person having charge or custody of the child or under the supervision of a qualified firearms safety instructor or an adult who has been authorized by the parent or guardian.

[Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-344]

No, a permit is not required to purchase a handgun in Montana.

60 days

An applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Have been a Montana resident for 6 months;
• Demonstrate familiarity with a firearm;
• Have a valid form of photo ID issued by the state, such as a driver's license; and
• Must meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Montana.

Montana doesn’t issue permits to non-residents.

5 years ​Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-3​
​

Lost permits are treated as renewals, and each county establishes its own guidelines. Contact the sheriff's office in your county for information.

• School buildings, except with prior permission [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-361]; 
• Montana University System campuses except by trained law enforcement or security officers (per the December 1, 2021, First Judicial District ruling);
• Correctional, detention, and treatment facilities operated by or contracted with the department of corrections;
• Secure treatment facilities operated by the department of public health and human services;
• Detention facilities and secure areas of law enforcement facilities owned and operated by a city or county;
• At or beyond a security screening checkpoint regulated by the transportation security administration in a publicly owned, commercial airport;
• Buildings owned and occupied by the United States;
• Military reservations owned and managed by the United States;
• Private property where the owner of the property or the person who possesses or is in control of the property, including a tenant or lessee of the property, expressly prohibits firearms;
• Courtrooms or areas of courthouses in use by court personnel pursuant to an order of a justice of the peace or judge;

[per HB-102 signed into law on February 18, 2021]

• Anywhere while under the influence of an intoxicating substance [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-327];
• State game preserves, unless in possession of a permit issued by the Director of Fish, Wildlife and Parks [Mont. Code Ann. § 87-5-401]; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law.

Yes. You may carry a concealed weapon without a CWP while lawfully engaged in hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, hiking, backpacking, farming, ranching, or other outdoor activity in which weapons are often carried for recreation or protection.

[Dept of Justice FAQ]

There is no known statute in Montana making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed. In addition, Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter confirmed that it is not illegal. 

Montana allows residents to possess and open carry any type of knife. However, it is illegal to bring a knife with a blade of 4 inches or longer, a sword or a straight razor to schools.

[MCA § 45-8-361]