Montana is a permit-less state for carrying a firearm, both concealed and openly.

However, local cities may exempt this for public buildings if they indicate it in a sign outside.

Montana Gun Permit Summary

Montana issues pistol permits at a local county level, and it is a shall-issue state.

There are no special permits to buy firearms, but if you have a pistol permit, you will not have to undergo a criminal record check before buying firearms.

Montana only issues gun licenses to residents of the state.

• Recommended Reading: Montana Gun Laws

How To Get A Gun Permit In Montana?

You can get a gun permit in Montana by submitting as an application, but you must be at least eighteen years old and not have any suspended rights for the use of firearms.

Montana pistol permit is for only concealed carry in the state.

Montana Gun Permit Laws

Montana allows the open carry of firearms in the state for anyone that is eighteen years old or more.

Also, minors that are at least fourteen years old can open carry. Those below this age can do so under the supervision of parents, guardians, or firearm instructors.

You do not need a pistol permit to open carry in Montana.

It is a felony to possess machine guns and similar firearms to perpetrate crime in the state.

This does not include the possession of these firearms for scientific or research purposes, ornamental or aesthetic reasons, or non-aggressive usage.

It is also a felony crime to use armor-piercing ammunition to commit crimes or cause injury to another in the state.

Montana Pistol Permit Requirements

To apply for pistol permits in Montana, the requirements you have to meet include the following:

• You must be at least eighteen years old.
• You must be a legal citizen of the United States of America.
• You must be a resident of Montana and must live in the state for at least six months before applying for a permit.
• You must prove that you are familiar with the usage and safety handling of a firearm in Montana.
• You must have a valid form of identification from Montana, such as a driver’s license or a state-issued identification card.
• You must not be a convicted felon.
• You must not be mentally impaired or unstable.
• You must not be a narcotic, or use any illicit substance that is under control by the drug agency.
• You must meet all federal requirements needed to apply for CCW permits.

Different Types Of Gun Permits In Montana

A summary of firearms permits in Montana includes the following:

• State permit to purchase long guns: Montana does not issue a state permit to buy long guns.
• State permits to purchase handguns: Montana does not issue a state permit to buy guns.
• State permit to open carry: Montana is a permissive state, so no license required to open carry.
• State permits to conceal carry long guns: Montana does not issue a state permit to conceal long guns.
• State permits to conceal carry handguns: Montana issues a pistol permit to conceal carry handguns in the state.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Gun License In Montana?

Initial permit application in Montana costs sixty dollars, while renewal permits cost twenty-five dollars.

Gun Permits Application And Renewal Law In Montana?

The process for permit application in Montana include the following:

Complete Your Firearm Training Course

Since you will have to prove your familiarity with firearms, you have to complete a Firearm training course.

Obtain Your Permit Application

You can either download the application form online or visit your local county secretariat to pick it up.

Contact your sheriff’s office for more details.

Submit The Necessary Documents

After completing the application form, take it alongside the following documents to your local sheriff’s office:

• Three signed reference forms. These references must not be a relative or an employer.
• Your photo identification.
• Your firearm training certificate from an approved course.
• Your fingerprint.

You also have to pay the necessary fee.

Receive Notification Mail

You will receive a mail to notify you of your permit approval.

The permit renewal processes are:

Obtain Your Renewal Application

You can either download this online or pick it up from your local sheriff’s office.

Submit The Necessary Documents

Take your completed application alongside the following documents to your local sheriff’s office:

• Three completed and signed reference forms.
• Your photograph identification form.

Receive Approval Mail

You will get mail notification about your application status.

Gun Permit Reciprocity With Montana

Montana’s requirement to accept a pistol permit from other states in the country is the criminal record background check.

Other aspects of its reciprocity include the following:

States That Montana Will Accept Their Pistol Permit

Montana will accept pistol permits from these states because they require a criminal record check before issuing a license to their residents. It is also compulsory for non-residents to have photo identification and a pistol permit for possession of firearms in Montana.

States That Recognize Montana Pistol Permit

In these states, you can possess your firearm with a Montana pistol permit, but it must be according to their gun laws. They are:

• Alabama
• Indiana
• North Dakota

States That Have Restricted Reciprocity With Montana

These states will accept the Montana pistol license, but the permit holder must meet specific requirements before possessing firearms. They are:

• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming
• Puerto Rico

States That Have Permitless Carry Policies

In these states, you do not need a pistol permit to open or conceal carry firearms because of their permitless carry policy. The states are:

• Arizona
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Hampshire
• Oklahoma
• South Dakota
• Vermont
• West Virginia

FAQs About Gun Permits In Montana

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about pistol permit in Montana, its application, renewal, and other information you need to know:

Do I Need A Permit To Conceal Carry Firearms In Montana?

Yes, you can only conceal carry in Montana if you have a gun license.

How Long Is Montana Concealed Weapon Permit Valid?

Montana pistol license validity period if four years after which you have to apply for a renewal permit or forfeit the gun license.

Can Non-Residents Apply For Montana Firearm Permits?

No, Montana does not issue a pistol permit to non-residents of the state.

How Can I Change The Name And Address On My Montana Gun License?

You can update your Montana pistol permit if you move away from your county of residence. After changing residence, you must notify the sheriff of both new and old counties within ten days.

If you change residence to a city or town, then you should inform the chief police in the new place about your change of residence.

For a change of name, report to either a sheriff or chief police as the case may be.

What Can I Do If I Lost My Montana Permit Or It Gets Stolen?

In Montana, most counties tend to treat cases of missing or stolen permits as renewal permits, and they have different regulations on how to issue a new one.

So visit your county sheriff as soon as you lose the permit.

How Soon Can I Apply For Montana Pistol Permit After Moving To The State?

Montana does not issue a pistol license to new residents that just established residency. You must live in the state for at least six months before applying for a Montana pistol permit.

Can I Make Use Of Montana Weapon Permit After Moving To Another State In The Country?

Upon moving to another state in the country, your Montana gun license expires automatically since the state does not issue a permit to non-residents.

Do I Need A Montana Pistol Permit To Open Carry In The State?

No, to open carry, there is no need for a Montana pistol permit or any other one that the state honors.

Montana has a permissive open carry policy, and anyone within the legal age and without a prohibition to possess firearms in the state can open carry without any issue.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement To Apply For Montana Weapon Permit?

You must be at least eighteen years old before you can apply for a pistol permit in Montana.

Do I need A Permit To Purchase Firearms In Montana?

You do not need a purchase permit to buy firearms in Montana.

Does My Firearm Permit Exempt Me From Completing A Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying Firearms In Montana?

Yes, Montana pistol permits will exempt you from completing a criminal record check before you buy firearms from federally or state-licensed dealers.

Without a gun license, you do not need to complete a criminal record background check before buying a firearm from private dealers because they are not mandated to run the check.

Do I Need A Montana Concealed Permit To Possess Firearms In My Private Property?

No, there is no need to possess firearms before you open or conceal carry in your home of residence, private property, or a personally owned business.

Do I Need To Complete A Firearm Training Before Applying For Montana Pistol Permit?

Yes, you must demonstrate your familiarity with the possession of a firearm with one of Montana’s approved firearm training.

What Is The Processing Period For Firearm Permits In Montana?

The licensing unit will process your firearm permit within at least sixty days of completing the application.

Does Montana Have Ammunition And Firearm Restrictions?

Yes, it is a prohibition to make use of assault weapons aggressively in Montana. This is a felony act.

Also, it is prohibited to make us or armor-piercing bullets to commit a crime or injure another person.

Is Montana A Preemption Gun Law State?

Yes, the state government has the right to control the use of firearms in all territories.

However, local municipalities, such as towns and counties, can:

• Adopt laws to regulate, prohibit, or restrict the shooting of firearms within its boundaries.
• Control the discharge of firearms such as rifles and pistols.
• Prohibit and limit the possession of firearms in off-limit areas of the state like schools, privately owned buildings with posts, and public assembly.
• Prohibit the possession of firearms for felons, mentally unstable people, minors, and others that cannot legally possess firearms according to Montana gun laws.

Can I Conceal Carry While Hunting In Montana?

Yes, you can conceal carry during activities like hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, and lumbering, without a Montana gun license.

What Is The Minimum Age For Possession Of Firearms In Montana?

Montana’s minimum age to possess firearms is fourteen years old. Anybody below this age can only possess firearms under the supervision of parents, guardians, or firearm trainers.

Relevant Gun Permit Laws And Legislature In Montana

Montana gun laws relating to the state’s pistol permit and possession of firearms include the following:

Possession Of Firearms In Private Vehicles Of The State

According to the Montana statue, [MT DOJ Firearm FAQs], the possession of firearms in a private vehicle is not regulated by gun laws of the state, and you do not need a Montana gun license to possess firearms.

Possession Of Firearms In Roadside Areas Of Montana

As long as you are with your Montana pistol permit, you can conceal carry in roadside areas of the state.

Possession Of Firearms In State Parks, Forests, And Wildlife Management Areas

Yes, you do not need a pistol permit to conceal carry in these places within the state boundaries, as long as you are eighteen years old and legal enough to possess firearms.

This also includes permission to conceal carry for activities such as mining, hunting, fishing, lumbering, and so on.

[MT DOJ Firearms FAQs]

Possession Of Firearms In Restaurant And Bar Areas Of The State

Montana gun law, [Mont. Code Ann. §§ 45-8-328, 45-8-327] prohibits concealed carry or possession of firearms anywhere in the state that sells alcohol for onsite consumption.

It is also prohibited to possess firearms while under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance.

Possession Of Firearms In Hotels

Regardless of being a permit holder in Montana, hotel owners or management can prohibit your possession of legal firearms within their premises.

Montana allows hotels and other private businesses to regulate the possession of firearms within their premises. For more information, you can visit a hotel website for their privacy policies.

Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-110(15)]

Additional Resources

Montana Gun Laws
Montana Concealed Carry Laws
Montana Open Carry Laws