◆ MONTANA · CARRY LAW

Montana.

Another state or territory

Information, not legal advice. Confirm with the state before you carry.

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◆ THE SHORT ANSWEREvery tile below is one of the answers further down this page, with its citation.

Concealed, no permit

Yes

Open, no permit

Yes

In a vehicle, no permit

Yes

Getting a permit

Yes, shall-issue

Nothing in Montana that most visitors get caught by, but read the answers below before you rely on that.

◆ CARRYING HERE

What Montana requires

The state's permit is the Concealed Weapon Permit, issued by your county sheriff.

Carrying without a permit3

Can I carry concealed here without a permit?

Permitless or "constitutional" carry. "Limited" means some adults qualify and others do not. Read the qualifier.

Yes

Yes. The offense still exists on paper and then exempts anyone eligible to possess a firearm at all, which is nearly everyone who may lawfully own one.

Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-316(3)Read at the Montana Legislature ↗Checked 10 days ago

Can I carry openly here without a permit?

Yes

Yes. Montana’s offense reaches concealed carry only.

Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-316Read at the Montana Legislature ↗Checked 10 days ago

Can I keep a loaded handgun in my car without a permit?

Yes

Yes, on the same terms as on foot.

Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-316(3)Read at the Montana Legislature ↗Checked 10 days ago

Permits and age3

If I want this state's permit, will they issue one?

Shall-issue means the state must issue to any qualified applicant. May-issue leaves it to an official's discretion.

Yes, shall-issue

Your county sheriff SHALL issue, within 60 days, valid five years. Worth having. It is what other states recognize.

Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(1)Read at the Montana Legislature ↗Checked 10 days ago

Can I get this state's permit if I live somewhere else?

No. The application requires a Montana driver’s license or other Montana identification.

Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(1)Read at the Montana Legislature ↗Checked 10 days ago

How old do I have to be to carry here?

The floor for the least restrictive lawful route. Where permitless and permit ages differ, the qualifier says so.

18.

Mont. Code Ann. §§ 45-8-316(3), 45-8-321(1)Read at the Montana Legislature ↗Checked 10 days ago

If an officer stops you1

Do I have to tell an officer I am armed?

"Required" means you must volunteer it on contact. "On request" means only when asked.

Not required

No statute requires you to announce it. Answer honestly if you are asked.

No duty-to-inform provision in Mont. Code Ann. tit. 45, ch. 8, pt. 3Read at the Montana Legislature ↗Checked 10 days ago

How we checked there is no such law

Read §§ 45-8-316, 45-8-321 and 45-8-351 on 2026-09-06. The offense, the permit and the preemption sections. None contains a notification requirement.

Buying and owning2

Do I need a state-issued card just to own or buy a firearm here?

Illinois' FOID is the main example. Distinct from a carry permit.

Not required

No permit or license to buy, and no state waiting period.

No purchase-permit provision in Mont. Code Ann. tit. 45, ch. 8Read at the Montana Legislature ↗Checked 10 days ago

How we checked there is no such law

Read §§ 45-8-316, 45-8-321 and 45-8-351 on 2026-09-06. Montana licenses CARRYING and creates no permit to acquire; § 45-8-351 also bars any local purchase permit.

Is there a limit on magazine capacity here?

No limit

Montana sets no cap on magazine capacity.

No magazine capacity provision in Mont. Code Ann. tit. 45, ch. 8Read at the Montana Legislature ↗Checked 10 days ago

How we checked there is no such law

Read §§ 45-8-316, 45-8-321 and 45-8-351 on 2026-09-06 and found no capacity limit. § 45-8-351 separately bars local governments from regulating firearms, so a city cap could not fill the gap.

How the state governs guns2

Can a city here write its own gun rules on top of the state's?

Full preemption means state law is the only law. Partial means some cities may go further. Check locally.

No, state law is the only law

A county, city or town may not prohibit, register, tax, license or regulate the purchase, sale, transfer, ownership, possession or transportation of firearms.

Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-351(1)Read at the Montana Legislature ↗Checked 10 days ago

Does this state have a red-flag law?

An extreme risk protection order lets a court order firearms surrendered temporarily.

No, none in this state

Montana has no extreme-risk protection order.

No extreme-risk order in Montana lawRead at the Montana Legislature ↗Checked 10 days ago

How we checked there is no such law

Searched for a Montana extreme-risk or red-flag order on 2026-09-06. Montana’s orders of protection under title 40 can reach firearms through federal prohibited-person rules, and no petition-based extreme-risk order exists alongside them.

◆ RECIPROCITY

Permits Montana honors

If you are visiting Montana, this is whether your permit counts here.

The state's own list ↗

Which state issued your permit?

Pick a state for the full answer with its citation, or find it in the grid below.

Honored54

◆ RECIPROCITY, THE OTHER WAY

Where Montana permits are honored

If you live in Montana, this is where your permit travels.

Where are you traveling with a Montana permit?

Pick a state for the full answer with its citation, or find it in the grid below.

Honored31

Honored, with a condition4

Not honored17

Not settled2

◆ NFA ITEMS

Suppressors and NFA legality

Federal registration is required everywhere these are legal. A state can prohibit them regardless, and several do.

Can I possess a suppressor here?

Federal NFA registration is required everywhere it is legal. State law can prohibit it regardless.

Legal

Lawful with the federal paperwork.