Montana is a shall issue state. In order to obtain a Montana concealed carry permit, applicants must be 18 years old, be a US citizen, and resident of the state for a minimum of 6 months. Applicants should apply with the county sheriff with 3 completed applications. One of those applications will be submitted to the police chief of the county of residence. An initial CCW permit incurs a fee of $50. In addition to meeting other requirements, applicants must also demonstrate training in safely handling a firearm. It is unclear whether this includes a live fire exercise, or whether the training component can be completed online. Upon receipt, concealed carry licenses are valid for a period of 4 years from the date of issuance. Nonresident permits are not issued by Montana. Holders of a Montana concealed license can carry in 32 other states.
This information was last updated in February 2019.
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Montana Concealed Carry By The Numbers
Average Cost in Dollars
# of States That Accept MT License
# of Years Valid
Minimum Age
# of Days To Get A Permit
Reciprocity Map for Montana
Use the tabs below to display states that will accept a Montana concealed carry permit or those states that Montana will honor. Click the sections below for a complete listing of states in each category, along with other relevant information.
States That Honor Montana Concealed Carry
- Alabama
- Alaska – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Arizona – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Arkansas
- Colorado – Resident Permit ONLY
- Florida – Resident Permit ONLY
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Missouri – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania – Resident Permit ONLY
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Montana Will Honor The Following States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota – Class 1 & 2
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How To Apply for a Montana Concealed Carry License
Can I get a concealed carry permit in Montana?
Montana is a shall issue state. In addition, carrying a concealed firearm outside of city and town limits is accepted.
“a person who is outside the official boundaries of a city or town or the confines of a logging, lumbering, mining, or railroad camp or who is 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“
Relevant Code(s):
What is the minimum age to obtain a CCW license in MT?
Residents must be 18 years old in order to obtain a Montana concealed carry permit. In addition, applicants must have a valid drivers license or other state issued ID with photo to be eligible for a concealed permit.
“An applicant must be a United States citizen or permanent lawful resident who is 18 years of age or older and who holds a valid Montana driver’s license or other form of identification issued by the state that has a picture of the person identified.“
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Who issues a concealed carry permit in Montana?
Applications for a Montana concealed carry permit should be submitted in triplicate to the county sheriff. However, the county sheriff will also be responsible for submitting one of the copies to the chief of police in the applicants city or town.
“[…]within 7 days of the sheriff’s receipt of the application, be mailed to the chief of police if the applicant resides in a city or town with a police force“
Relevant Code(s):
How long is a Montana concealed carry permit good for?
Montana concealed carry permits are valid for 4 years from the date of issuance.
Relevant Code(s):
Does MT issue concealed permits to non-residents?
Montana does not issue non-resident concealed carry permits, and applicants must have been a resident of the state for at least 6 months. Furthermore, Montana requires United States citizenship to be eligible for a concealed permit to be issued.
Relevant Code(s):
How long does it take to process a concealed carry application?
If an applicant for Montana concealed carry permit is eligible, the county sheriff will issue a license within 60 days.
“A county sheriff shall, within 60 days after the filing of an application, issue a permit to carry a concealed weapon to the applicant“
Relevant Code(s):
How much does a concealed carry permit cost?
The cost of the initial permit to carry a concealed weapon is $50. There is nothing in Montana code that exempts military personnel from having to pay this fee.
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What are the accepted forms of competency training?
Montana does require a firearms training component for the issuance of a concealed carry permit. The following are accepted forms of competency training:
- hunter education course provided by department of fish, wildlife, and parks or similar agency
- firearms safety or training course by the same as above, or national firearms association certified instructor
- completion of law enforcement firearms safety training
- equivalent training from military service
The code does not indicate that a live fire or range exercise is required to complete this component. Therefore, it is unclear whether a training program conducted exclusively online is acceptable.
Relevant Code(s):
Restrictions on Carrying A Firearm in Montana
Is Montana an Open Carry State?
Montana is an open carry state for all individuals eligible to possess a firearm.
“In consideration that the right to keep and bear arms is protected and reserved to the people in Article II, section 12, of the Montana constitution, a person who has not been convicted of a violent, felony crime and who is lawfully able to own or to possess a firearm under the Montana constitution is considered to be individually licensed and verified by the state of Montana within the meaning of the provisions regarding individual licensure and verification in the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act“
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Can I Conceal Carry in a Vehicle?
Montana does not forbid the carrying of a weapon in a vehicle by licensed individuals. In addition, there is nothing in Montana code that considers a firearm contained in a vehicle to be concealed.
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in State Parks?
It is lawful to carry a concealed weapon in Montana state parks.
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Am I Allowed To Conceal Carry In Restaurants?
If an establishment sells alcohol for consumption, it is illegal for a person to carry a concealed weapon on the premises. This rule applies to individuals with a Montana concealed permit and without.
“[…] 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“
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Can I Conceal Carry in a Church?
Nothing in the prohibited places section restricts an individuals right to carry in a church or other place of worship by persons with a Montana concealed carry permit.
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Can I Conceal Carry in a Bank?
Montana prohibits the carrying of firearms into any financial institutions even by licensed individuals. There are certain exceptions to this, and those are listed in the excerpt below:
“(b) 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.“
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Hospital?
Hospitals are not listed in the prohibited places to carry a concealed firearm. Therefore, it is legal to carry a concealed weapon for those with a Montana concealed permit.
Relevant Code(s):
The content of this page is for informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for legal council, or intended as legal advice. It is recommended that you inquire with the state about the validity of the information contained herein.
