The Concealed Weapon Permit
MCA 45-8-321 — from the county sheriff within 60 days, at 18, after 6 months of residence, good for 5 years
A county sheriff issues a permit to carry a concealed weapon within 60 days after the application is filed, valid for 5 years. The applicant is a citizen or permanent lawful resident, 18 or older, with a Montana license or state photo ID, who has lived in the state at least 6 months.
Who handles this in Montana: State Bar of Montana, Licensed Lawyer Montana; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Montana directory.
- The applicant is ineligible under state or federal law to have a firearm.
- The applicant is charged and awaiting judgment for a crime punishable by 1 year or more.
- The applicant was convicted of a crime punishable by more than 1 year, or of one involving violence or sexual abuse.
Those are among the grounds the sheriff may deny on. A permit from another state is valid here when carried with photo identification, if that state runs a criminal background check before issuing.
Sources for this section (2)
- MCA 45-8-321 — Permit to carry concealed weapon
- MCA 45-8-329 — Concealed weapon permits from other states recognized
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Montana attorney.