Montana is a constitutional carry state, which means law-abiding adults 18 years and older who can legally possess a firearm under federal and state law may carry a concealed handgun without obtaining a permit anywhere that is not a restricted area. The right extends to concealed carry in a private vehicle; the state has no prohibitions about carrying a weapon in a vehicle.
Permits
Permits are not required but may be useful for reciprocity with other states. Montana Concealed Weapons Permits (MCWPs) are issued by local county sheriffs and are open to qualified residents only. As a constitutional carry state, Montana has broad reciprocity with other states and recognizes permits from states that require criminal background checks.
Other weapons
No other weapons are allowed to be concealed carried in Montana.
Permitted non-lethal weapons include:
- Stun guns/tasers
- Pepper spray
- Tear gas
- Bear spray (legal for self-defense against wildlife)
- Bludgeons/batons
- Brass knuckles
- Less-lethal launchers
Duty to inform
There is no duty to inform in Montana.
Employee parking lots
This issue is not addressed in Montana law.
