Concealed Carry in Montana

Yes. The concealed-carry offense (fine up to $500 and/or up to 6 months in county jail) 'does not apply to a person eligible to possess a firearm under state or federal law.' The statute sets no separate minimum age; anyone legally allowed to possess a firearm may carry it concealed without a permit. A person with a prior conviction punishable by more than 1 year who carries concealed faces up to $1,000 and/or up to 5 years in state prison.

Concealed weapon permit, issued by the county sheriff, who 'shall, within 60 days after the filing of an application, issue a permit' unless the applicant falls within listed disqualifications (shall-issue; the sheriff may deny for reasonable cause to believe the applicant is mentally ill or a threat to the peace). Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent lawful resident, '18 years of age or older', a Montana resident for at least 6 months, with a Montana photo ID. Training: proof of familiarity with a firearm by a hunter education course, firearms safety course, law enforcement course, another state's permit requiring such a course, or military qualification (or a sheriff-approved physical test). Fee: 'The fee for issuance of a permit is $50'; renewal is '$25 fee for each renewal' for 'additional 4-year periods'. § 45-8-321 says the permit 'is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.' An optional enhanced permit (§ 45-8-312) requires age 21 or older, a fingerprint background check, and a qualifying handgun course with live fire of 'at least 98 rounds'; it is valid for 5 years. § 45-8-312 also provides a temporary restricted enhanced permit for people 18 to 20.

A concealed weapon permit from another state is valid in Montana if the holder has the permit and photo ID in immediate possession and 'the state that issued the permit requires a criminal records background check of permit applicants prior to issuance of a permit.' The attorney general keeps a list of states whose permits are recognized.

Permit holders (Montana, enhanced, or recognized out-of-state) may carry anywhere in the state except: correctional, detention or treatment facilities of the Department of Corrections and secure DPHHS facilities; jails and secure areas of city or county law enforcement facilities; at or beyond a TSA security checkpoint in a public commercial airport; buildings owned and occupied by the United States; U.S. military reservations; private property where the owner or person in control 'expressly prohibits firearms'; courtrooms or court areas covered by a judge's order; and school buildings as determined by a school board. Anyone (with or without a permit) commits an offense by knowingly possessing a weapon in a school building (owned or leased by a school district for instruction or student activities) unless the trustees give advance permission; penalty up to $500 and/or 6 months. Carrying concealed in restricted portions of state or local government office buildings is an offense for people without a permit (§ 45-8-328).

Montana does not require a permit to carry a concealed firearm, including in a vehicle, for anyone 'eligible to possess a firearm under state or federal law'. No separate vehicle rule (loaded/unloaded or locked) was found in the weapons chapter.