Montana Gun Laws: A Plain Guide for 2026

Montana has some of the simplest gun laws in the country. There is no state permit to buy a firearm, no registration, no waiting period and, since 2021, no permit required to carry concealed for most adults. That simplicity does not mean there are no rules. Federal law still governs every dealer sale, state law still limits where you can carry, and hunting rules add their own layer. This guide walks through the parts of Montana law that matter most to everyday gun owners, with links to the official sources. If you are shopping, you can browse the full catalog or read how our Montana gun shop ships to local dealers.

Buying a firearm in Montana

Montana does not require a state purchase permit or firearm owner ID, and it does not register guns. The state also sets no waiting period, so once a dealer's background check comes back clear, you can generally take the firearm home the same day.

Every sale by a licensed dealer (an FFL) follows federal rules. You fill out ATF Form 4473 and show a current government photo ID, usually a Montana driver's license. The dealer then runs a check through the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Montana is not a point-of-contact state, so dealers here contact the FBI directly rather than a state agency.

Age limits

Handguns from a dealer: 21 or older under federal law.
Rifles and shotguns from a dealer: 18 or older under federal law.
Ammunition: federal law ties handgun ammunition sales by dealers to age 21 and long gun ammunition to age 18.

Private sales

Montana law does not require a background check for a private sale between two Montana residents. Federal law still makes it a crime to sell to someone you know or have reason to believe is prohibited, and sales across state lines must go through an FFL. Many private sellers and buyers choose to run the deal through a local dealer for peace of mind. Our guide to buying a gun online in Montana explains how dealer transfers work.

Who cannot own a gun

Montana follows the federal list of prohibited persons, which includes people convicted of felonies, people under certain domestic violence restraining orders or convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, unlawful users of controlled substances, and people who have been committed or found mentally incompetent by a court. Montana law adds its own rules on the right to possess a firearm after certain convictions. If you are unsure of your status, talk with a Montana attorney before you buy.

Concealed and open carry

Open carry is lawful for adults who may legally possess a firearm, and Montana has long been an open carry state. The bigger change came with House Bill 102 in 2021. Under MCA 45-8-316, carrying a concealed firearm is a misdemeanor, but the law now says it does not apply to a person eligible to possess a firearm under state or federal law. In practice that means most adults can carry concealed without a permit.

County sheriffs still issue concealed weapon permits under MCA 45-8-321. The permit costs $50 under MCA 45-8-322, lasts five years, and requires Montana residency of at least six months and proof of a firearm safety course. Our Montana concealed carry guide covers the permit process in detail.

Where carry is restricted

Government offices: MCA 45-8-328 bars concealed carry, without a permit, in restricted portions of buildings used for state or local government offices.
School buildings: MCA 45-8-361 makes it an offense to possess a weapon in a school building, with narrow exceptions such as law enforcement and people given advance permission by the school trustees.
Federal property: federal law restricts firearms in federal facilities such as courthouses and post offices, regardless of state law.
Private property: owners and businesses can set their own rules for their property.
Tribal land: Montana has seven Indian reservations, and tribal governments set their own laws on tribal land.

Local rules

Montana has a strong preemption law. Under MCA 45-8-351, counties, cities and towns may not prohibit, register, tax, license or regulate the purchase, sale, transfer, ownership, possession, transportation, use or unconcealed carrying of weapons. Local governments can still regulate discharge of firearms for public safety, and they may restrict unpermitted concealed carry in publicly owned buildings. So a city can ban shooting inside town limits, but it cannot create its own purchase permit.

Carrying in your vehicle

Because eligible adults may carry concealed without a permit, most Montana residents may keep a loaded handgun in their vehicle. Hunting rules are different: Montana law bars shooting from or across a public road or highway, and hunting from a vehicle is generally prohibited except with a special permit. When you drive across state lines, the laws of the state you are in apply, which is where a Montana permit can help.

Hunting and firearms

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks sets hunting rules each year. For big game, FWP says rifles, handguns, shotguns with slugs or 0/00 buckshot, muzzleloaders, archery equipment and crossbows are lawful, and there is no rifle or handgun caliber limit or magazine limit for game animals. Some hunting districts include weapons restriction areas limited to shotguns, muzzleloaders, traditional handguns or archery gear. Firearm hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange above the waist. Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985 must show proof of hunter education before buying a hunting license. Read our Montana deer hunting guide and elk rifle guide for season details.

Transporting guns through Montana

Travelers passing through Montana are covered by the federal safe passage rule, which protects people moving between two places where they can lawfully possess a firearm, as long as the gun is unloaded and not readily accessible. Montana itself is lenient, but your next state may not be.

Quick summary

No state purchase permit, registration or waiting period.
Federal Form 4473 and NICS check for every dealer sale.
Permitless concealed carry for adults eligible to possess a firearm.
Optional $50 concealed weapon permit from the county sheriff.
No carry in school buildings, federal facilities or restricted government offices.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the current Montana Code Annotated at leg.mt.gov, the Montana Department of Justice and your county sheriff before you act.

General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.