Montana Gun & Ammo Laws: A 2nd Amendment Overview for Montana Gun Owners

PLEASE NOTE: The laws which impact Montana gun owners are subject to frequent change at the local, state, and federal level so it's wise to consult an attorney or your local law enforcement agency before making any final firearms-related decisions. Our official policy on shipping ammo to Montana can be found here, whereas the information below is meant as a reference point only.

Montana State Constitution

The right of any person to keep or bear arms in defense of his own home, person, and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall not be called in question, but nothing herein contained shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons.

Montana Constitutional Provision Article II, Section 12: Right to bear arms.

The militia forces shall consist of all able-bodied citizens of the state except those exempted by law.

Montana Constitutional Provision Article VI, Section 13(2): Militia.

Other provisions relating to the power of the people over government:

All political power is vested in and derived from the people. All government of right originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole.

Montana Constitutional Provision Article II, Section 1: Popular Sovereignty.

The people have the exclusive right of governing themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent state. They may alter or abolish the constitution and form of government whenever they deem it necessary.

Montana Constitutional Provision Article II, Section 2: Self-government.

The people shall have the right peaceably to assemble, petition for redress or peaceably protest governmental action.

Montana Constitutional Provision Article II, Section 6: Freedom of assembly.

Montana Gun Laws

Montana Gun Laws Overview (Source: NRA-ILA)
Montana Concealed Carry (CCW) Overview (Source: HandgunLaw.us)
Montana Concealed Weapons Permits (Source: Montana Department of Justice)
Frequently Asked Firearms Questions in Montana (Source: Montana Department of Justice)

Montana Hunting Rules & Regulations

Hunting in Montana (Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks)
Montana Hunting Regulations (Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks)
Montana Hunting and Trapping Licenses (Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks)
Montana Online Hunting, Fishing, & Recreational Licenses (Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks)
Montana Hunter Education Programs (Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks)

Montana Shooting Ranges

Montana State Shooting Ranges (Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks)
NSSF-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NSSF's WhereToShoot.org)
NRA-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NRA.org)

Montana Competitive Shooting Clubs & Matches

IDPA Clubs (Source: IDPA.com)
IDPA Matches (Source: IDPA.com)
USPSA Clubs (Source: USPSA.org)
USPSA Matches (Source: USPSA.org)
USA Shooting Clubs (Source: USAShooting.org)
USA Shooting Matches (Source: USAShooting.org)
4-H Shooting Sports State Contacts (Source: 4-HShootingSports.org)

Montana NRA Training Courses & Fundraising Events

Montana NRA-Affiliated Training Courses (Source: NRA.org)
Montana "Friends of NRA" Events & News (Source: FriendsofNRA.org)

Montana State Firearm & Hunting Associations

Montana Rifle & Pistol Association (NRA-Affiliated)
Montana Shooting Sports Association
Montana Safari Club International (SCI-Affiliated)
Western Montana Chapter Safari Club International (SCI-Affiliated)
Southwest Montana Chapter Safari Club International (SCI-Affiliated)
Safari Club International Great Falls Chapter (SCI-Affiliated)
Montana Students for Concealed Carry (Source: ConcealedCampus.org)
Montana Civilian Marksmanship Program (Source: TheCMP.org)
Montana NRA-Affiliated State Association (Source: NRA.org)
Montana Safari Club Affiliated State Association (Source: SafariClub.org)

Montana Gun Shows and FFLs

Montana Gun & Knife Shows (Source: GunShows-USA.com)
Montana Gun Shows (Source: GunShowTrader.com)
Montana FFL Holders (Source: FFLGunDealers.net)
NICS Firearm Checks by State (Source: FBI.gov)

Montana's Yearly Ranking for Gun-Friendly States

Montana Elected Public Officials

Congressional (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Gubernatorial (Source: VoteSmart.org)
State Legislature (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Statewide Officials (Source: VoteSmart.org)
NRA's Ranking of Montana Public Officials (Source: NRA-PVF.org)

Montana Public Finances and Personal & Economic Freedom Rankings

Montana State Checkbook (Source: Open The Books)
Montana State Employees (Source: Open The Books)
Montana Personal & Economic Freedom Ranking (Source: CATO Institute)
Montana Civil Asset Forfeiture (aka "Policing For Profit") Ranking (Source: Institute for Justice)

Alabama State Business Tax Climate Rankings

Montana State Business Tax Climate Rank (Source: Tax Foundation)
Taxes in Montana (Source: Tax Foundation)

Firearm Background Check Data

Background check types

The transaction types Permit, Permit Recheck, Handgun, Long Gun, Other, Multiple and Admin on the chart are for background checks initiated by an officially-licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or criminal justice/law enforcement agency prior to the issuance of a firearm-related permit or transfer.

Multiple indicates a background check where more than one type of firearm is associated to a single background check.

Admin indicates the administrative checks that are for other authorized uses of the NICS.

Pre-Pawn background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees seeking to pledge or pawn a firearm.

Redemption background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to regain possession of a firearm after pledging or pawning a firearm as security at a pawn shop.

Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Return to Seller-Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Best Gun-Friendly States Ranking

Overall Freedom Ranking

Business Tax Climate Rankings

Gun and Ammo Laws by State

Popular Ammo Calibers and Brands

223 Ammo 7.62x39 Ammo 9mm Ammo 45 ACP Ammo 22 LR Ammo 12 Gauge Ammo 5.56x45 Ammo 308 Win Ammo 40 S&W Ammo 380 ACP Ammo 38 Spl Ammo 357 Mag Ammo