Transport | Montana Concealed Carry

Transportation Laws

Vehicle Carry

Montana is a constitutional carry state (HB 102, effective February 18, 2021), which significantly simplifies firearm transportation rules.

• No permit required to carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle anywhere in Montana for persons 18 years or older who are legally entitled to possess a firearm (MCA § 45-8-315, § 45-8-316, as amended by HB 102).
• Prior to HB 102, permitless concealed carry in vehicles was limited to areas outside city, town, or logging camp limits. That geographic restriction has been removed.
• There is no statutory requirement to inform law enforcement that you are carrying a firearm during a traffic stop, though voluntary disclosure is generally recommended as a practical safety measure.
• Montana law does not mandate any specific method of storage (e.g., locked container, unloaded) for firearms transported in a private vehicle.

Prohibited Locations While Transporting

Even with constitutional carry, firearms may not be carried in certain locations (MCA § 45-8-328):

• Federal buildings and facilities
• School buildings (K-12), though firearms may generally remain in a locked vehicle on school property (MCA § 45-8-361)
• Portions of buildings used for state or local government offices where firearms are restricted by the entity in control
• A permit holder (CWP) may have additional privileges in some restricted areas - check individual location policies

Interstate Travel

• The Firearm Owners' Protection Act (FOPA) (18 U.S.C. § 926A) provides federal safe passage protections for travelers transporting firearms through states where they may not otherwise legally carry, provided the firearm is unloaded and not readily accessible (e.g., locked in the trunk or a locked container separate from ammunition).
• Montana honors concealed carry permits from all states (MCA § 45-8-329), and visitors who are 18+ and legally allowed to possess firearms may carry concealed without any permit under constitutional carry.
• When traveling out of Montana, carriers must comply with the firearm transportation laws of each state they enter. Neighboring states (Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota) also have constitutional carry provisions, but Washington and Canada have significantly different requirements.

Additional Considerations

• National parks and forests in Montana: Federal law generally defers to state law for carry in national parks and national forests, so Montana's constitutional carry applies. However, firearms remain prohibited inside federal buildings (visitor centers, ranger stations) within those areas.
• Tribal lands: Tribal nations within Montana may have their own firearm regulations that differ from state law. Confirm rules before carrying on reservation land.
• Commercial vehicles: No additional state-level restrictions apply beyond federal DOT regulations for commercial motor vehicle operators.

Key Statutes

Note: Montana's concealed weapon permit (CWP) remains available and recommended for reciprocity purposes when traveling to states that do not recognize constitutional carry or require a permit for concealed carry.