Montana Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Montana have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. Montana does not restrict assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, or ghost guns. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. Private sales are not subject to background checks under Montana law. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal law requires NICS checks for all dealer sales. |
| Is Montana a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. Montana has both Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine protections. |
| What kind of restrictions does Montana have? |
|
| Does Montana have any gun storage laws? | ⚠️ No general safe storage law, but liability may apply in some child access cases. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Montana? | ✅ Yes. There are no state restrictions on firearm quantities. |
| Does Montana have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. Montana does not allow ERPOs or red flag orders. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in Montana? | 🚫 No. Gun registration is not required or allowed. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. Montana does not require purchase permits. |
| Does Montana have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No. There is no state-imposed waiting period. |
🚫 No. Montana does not restrict assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, or ghost guns.
🚫 No. Private sales are not subject to background checks under Montana law.
✅ Yes. Federal law requires NICS checks for all dealer sales.
✅ Yes. Montana has both Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine protections.
- ℹ️ Constitutional carry (permitless concealed carry for 18+)
- ℹ️ No waiting period
- ℹ️ No magazine capacity limits
- ℹ️ Optional concealed carry permits for reciprocity
⚠️ No general safe storage law, but liability may apply in some child access cases.
✅ Yes. There are no state restrictions on firearm quantities.
🚫 No. Montana does not allow ERPOs or red flag orders.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. Gun registration is not required or allowed.
🚫 No. Montana does not require purchase permits.
🚫 No. There is no state-imposed waiting period.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Montana allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for individuals 18 and older. |
| Does Montana allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for 18+ as of February 2021 (constitutional carry). |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Legal. Pepper spray and stun guns are allowed without a permit. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public places including vehicles and private property, except restricted areas. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Government buildings, schools, and any area posted as “no weapons.” |
| States honored? | ✅ Montana honors permits from states that recognize its permits. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ Montana CWPs are recognized in:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 4 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Only handguns are clearly covered under constitutional carry. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Optional. Montana issues Concealed Weapon Permits (CWP) for reciprocity in other states.
|
✅ Legal without a permit for individuals 18 and older.
✅ Legal without a permit for 18+ as of February 2021 (constitutional carry).
✅ Legal. Pepper spray and stun guns are allowed without a permit.
✅ Most public places including vehicles and private property, except restricted areas.
🚫 Government buildings, schools, and any area posted as “no weapons.”
✅ Montana honors permits from states that recognize its permits.
✅ Montana CWPs are recognized in:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 4 Years.
🚫 No. Only handguns are clearly covered under constitutional carry.
ℹ️ Optional. Montana issues Concealed Weapon Permits (CWP) for reciprocity in other states.
- Issued by the County Sheriff
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Gun Laws & Legal References | |
| Training & Certification | |
| Gun Safety & Education |
Montana Leadership
- Born: August 20, 1962 (Van Nuys, Los Angeles, CA)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2021
- Previous Role: Representative, MT At-large District (2013–2015)
- Committees:
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
- Senate Committee on Finance
- Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
- Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
- Born: November 18, 1985 (Ramsey, MN)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2025
- Committees:
- Senate Committee on Armed Services
- Senate Committee on Commerce
- Science
- and Transportation
- Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
- Born: April 17, 1961 (San Diego, CA)
- Term Started: January 4, 2021
- Previous Role: U.S. Representative for Montana’s At-large congressional district