This is not legal advice.Concealed-carry reciprocity changes frequently and carries serious legal consequences. Verify current law with the destination state's official source before you carry.
MontanaConcealed Carry Permit & Reciprocity
Montana is a permitless (constitutional) carry state as of 2021 (HB 102). A person 18 or older who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. Montana still issues a Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP) through the county sheriff (age 18, proof of firearms familiarity, valid four years, $25 renewal), and — since 2023 — an Enhanced permit created so Montana residents can satisfy the stricter reciprocity requirements of certain other states (age 21, fingerprints, a firearms course that includes live firing of at least 98 rounds, six-month Montana residency, valid five years). Open carry is lawful without a permit, and Montana has no duty to inform. Under MCA 45-8-329, Montana recognizes an out-of-state concealed weapon permit if the issuing state requires a criminal-records background check — effectively every state's permit. The Enhanced permit is the class worth holding for out-of-state travel.
Montana Montana Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP)
- Issuing authority
- Montana County Sheriffs
- Carry regime
- constitutional
- Minimum age
- 18
- Fee
- $25
- Training
- Required
- Validity
- 4 years
Permit classes
Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP)
For reciprocity travel- Minimum age
- 18
The standard Montana CWP issued by the county sheriff; no fingerprints; valid four years.
Enhanced Concealed Weapon Permit
For reciprocity travel- Minimum age
- 21
Created in 2023 for reciprocity with states that have stricter requirements. Requires age 21 (a restricted version exists for 18–20), fingerprints, a course including live firing of at least 98 rounds, and 6-month Montana residency; valid five years. Several states (e.g. Washington, Minnesota) honor the Montana Enhanced permit ONLY.
Carry practicalities
Permitless carry
Allowed — minimum age 18
Montana has permitless (constitutional) carry as of 2021 (HB 102). A person 18 or older who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit, and residency is not required. A permit remains useful for reciprocity (especially the Enhanced permit).
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Open carry
Permitless
Open carry of a firearm is lawful in Montana without a permit for a person who may lawfully possess a firearm. Open carry remains subject to the prohibited-place restrictions of MCA 45-8-356 and to private-property rules.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Duty to inform
Not required
Montana imposes no affirmative duty to proactively notify a law enforcement officer that you are carrying. A permittee relying on a permit (in Montana or as a recognized out-of-state holder) must have the permit in immediate possession with photo ID, but there is no proactive notification requirement.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Off-limits locations
- correctional, detention, and department-of-corrections treatment facilities, and secure DPHHS treatment facilities
- detention facilities and secure areas of city/county law enforcement facilities
- at or beyond a TSA security screening checkpoint in a commercial airport
- buildings owned and occupied by the United States, and federal military reservations
- K-12 school buildings (MCA 45-8-361)
- private property where the owner or person in control expressly prohibits firearms
- places where carrying a firearm is prohibited by federal law
Curated key categories, not exhaustive. MCA 45-8-356 provides that a valid permit holder may carry nearly anywhere in the state except the listed facilities; HB 102 (2021) removed the former bank and bar restrictions. School buildings are governed by MCA 45-8-361.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Montana reciprocity summary
Montana honors 49 states' permits · honored by 35 states
Where a Montana permit is honored →Whose permits Montana honors →
Last verified 2026-07-10 against Montana DOJ — Concealed Weapons.
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Get notified when your state's reciprocity changes.
Montana FAQ
- Does Montana have constitutional carry?
- Yes. Montana is a constitutional (permitless) carry state — eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The CWP remains available and is still worth holding for reciprocity in states that don't recognize permitless carry.
- How much does a Montana CWP cost?
- The CWP application fee in Montana is $25. The standard CWP renews in 4-year periods for a $25 fee; initial and enhanced-permit fees vary by county. Confirm current amounts with the county sheriff.
- Does Montana honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?
- Montana honors concealed-carry permits from 49 other states, subject to the qualifiers (resident-only or permit-class restrictions) noted on each reciprocity pair. See the full inbound list on the "who Montana honors" page.
- Where is a Montana CWP honored?
- A Montana CWP is honored by 35 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.
- How long is a Montana CWP valid?
- A Montana CWP is valid for 4 years before renewal is required.
Sources
- Montana DOJ — Concealed Weapons (2026-07-10)