Montana concealed weapons permits are governed by MCA § 45-8-321. Under this statute, the sheriff of each county is authorized to issue written permits...
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Montana concealed weapons permits are governed by MCA § 45-8-321. Under this statute, the sheriff of each county is authorized to issue written permits for carrying concealed weapons.
Important Note: Following the passage of HB 102, Montana allows permitless (constitutional) carry for eligible individuals. However, obtaining a formal Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) remains beneficial for reciprocity recognition in other states.
Concealed weapons permits are issued by the sheriff of the applicant's county of permanent residence. Applications must be submitted in person at the county sheriff's office, and the applicant must sign the application in the presence of the sheriff or a designated representative.
To be eligible for a Montana Concealed Weapons Permit, an applicant must meet the following criteria (per MCA § 45-8-321):
When applying for a new permit, applicants must bring:
When applying for a renewal, applicants must bring:
Note on expired permits: If a permit has been expired for more than 6 months, the applicant must complete a full new application, provide proof of firearms training, and pay the full new-permit fee (per Dawson County Sheriff's Office policy).
Fees are set at the county level and are nonrefundable (unless the application is denied). Typical fee ranges:
| Type | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| New Permit | $50.00-$55.00 |
| Renewal | $25.00 |
Applicants are also responsible for any costs associated with completing a required handgun safety course.
A full criminal history background check is conducted on every applicant. Per MCA § 45-8-321, this process may take up to five (5) business days to complete. Applicants should contact their county sheriff's office after the waiting period to determine whether the application has been approved or denied.
If an application is denied, the fee is typically refunded (policy varies by county - Powell County confirms refunds on denial).
Renewal is a simplified process:
Active and retired law enforcement officers have separate provisions under federal law (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act / LEOSA). The Montana Department of Justice outlines specific qualifications for both active and retired officers, including meeting annual firearms qualification standards. See the Montana DOJ Concealed Weapons page for details.
This page covers one part of our Montana concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Montana guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.