Do I need a permit to carry in Montana?

No. Montana allows concealed carry without a permit for eligible adults 18 and older. Some places stay off limits under state and federal law.

Does Montana honor out-of-state permits?

No. Montana does not honor a non-resident permit. Eligible adults 18 and older can still carry there under Montana's own permitless carry law.

Where can I check Montana's official rules?

Check Montana Department of Justice. The controlling law is Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-329.

Carry laws · 2026

Montana concealed carry laws, backed by the statute

At a glance

Carry rule: Permitless at 18
Minimum age: 18
Non-resident permit valid here?: No
Statute: Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-329

Carrying in Montana

Montana lets adults 18 and older carry concealed without a permit.

That rule stops at the Montana line. If you travel, the law of the next state applies.

Source: Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-329. Montana Department of Justice. Reviewed Q3 2026.

Does a non-resident permit work in Montana?

A non-resident permit is a carry permit issued by a state you do not live in.

No. Montana does not honor a non-resident permit, so the permit adds nothing there. What keeps you legal is Montana's own permitless carry law, which lets eligible adults 18 and older carry without any permit.

Getting Montana's own permit

Montana does not require a permit at home. An optional permit is still useful, because other states may honor it when you travel.

Common questions

Do I need a permit to carry in Montana?: No. Montana allows concealed carry without a permit for eligible adults 18 and older. Some places stay off limits under state and federal law.
Does Montana honor out-of-state permits?: No. Montana does not honor a non-resident permit. Eligible adults 18 and older can still carry there under Montana's own permitless carry law.
Where can I check Montana's official rules?: Check Montana Department of Justice. The controlling law is Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-329.

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Sources and verification

MT: Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-329. Montana Department of Justice.

Recognition and carry-law data compiled from each state's statutes and official Attorney General, State Police, or Department of Public Safety reciprocity pages. Reviewed quarterly. Last reviewed: Q3 2026. We review and update this information about once a quarter. Laws change between reviews, so verify with the destination state before you travel or apply. Read how we verify our information, including our public corrections log.