Montana law allows people to carry concealed weapons if he or she has a valid Montana or out-of-state permit to do so.

No weapons, concealed or otherwise, are allowed in school buildings in Montana.

Even with a concealed weapons permit, you may not carry a concealed weapon in the following places:

buildings owned or leased by the federal, state or local government

financial institutions

any place where alcoholic beverages are sold, dispensed and consumed

In addition, be sure to check local regulations, which may restrict carrying concealed weapons at public meetings, and in public parks and buildings.

County sheriffs can provide information on where concealed weapons are prohibited in their counties.

Montana has no prohibitions against carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle.

Montana Residents

To obtain a Montana concealed weapons permit, a person must:

have been a Montana resident for at least six months

be a U.S. citizen or permanent lawful resident of the U.S.

be at least 18 years old

Applications are available from the local county sheriff’s office. This site provides a sample application so people can review what is required and gather the necessary documentation prior to going to their sheriff’s office. The form is clearly marked as a “sample only” and cannot be used in place of the application provided by the local sheriff’s office.

Montana residents who want to know if their permits are valid in another state must check with the specific state in which they want to carry a weapon.

Non-Residents

Montana recognizes concealed weapons permits from some other states. Non-residents must meet the following criteria to carry a concealed weapon in Montana:

The state that issued their permit must require a criminal records background check before issuing a permit.

The permit must be in the holder’s possession.

The permit holder must have photo identification.

The Attorney General’s Office has determined that concealed weapons permits from the following states are recognized under Montana law: