Mont. Code Ann. » TITLE 45. CRIMES · CHAPTER 8. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER · Part 3. Weapons
Montana Code Annotated

Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321 (2026)

Permit To Carry Concealed Weapon

✓ current as of May 2026
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  1. MCA Contents
  2. TITLE 45
  3. CHAPTER 8
  4. Part 3
  5. 45-8-321 Permit to carry concealed weapon

TITLE 45. CRIMES

CHAPTER 8. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER

Part 3. Weapons

Permit To Carry Concealed Weapon

45-8-321. Permit to carry concealed weapon. (1) A county sheriff shall, within 60 days after the filing of an application, issue a permit to carry a concealed weapon to the applicant. The permit is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance. An applicant must be a United States citizen or permanent lawful resident who is 18 years of age or older and who holds a valid Montana driver's license or other form of identification issued by the state that has a picture of the person identified. An applicant must have been a resident of the state for at least 6 months. Except as provided in subsection (2), this privilege may not be denied an applicant unless the applicant:

(a) is ineligible under Montana or federal law to own, possess, or receive a firearm;

(b) has been charged and is awaiting judgment in any state of a state or federal crime that is punishable by incarceration for 1 year or more;

(c) subject to the provisions of subsection (6), has been convicted in any state or federal court of:

(i) a crime punishable by more than 1 year of incarceration; or

(ii) regardless of the sentence that may be imposed, a crime that includes as an element of the crime an act, attempted act, or threat of intentional homicide, serious bodily harm, unlawful restraint, sexual abuse, or sexual intercourse or contact without consent;

(d) has been convicted under 45-8-327 or 45-8-328, unless the applicant has been pardoned or 5 years have elapsed since the date of the conviction;

(e) has a warrant of any state or the federal government out for the applicant's arrest;

(f) has been adjudicated in a criminal or civil proceeding in any state or federal court to be an unlawful user of an intoxicating substance and is under a court order of imprisonment or other incarceration, probation, suspended or deferred imposition of sentence, treatment or education, or other conditions of release or is otherwise under state supervision;

(g) has been adjudicated in a criminal or civil proceeding in any state or federal court to be mentally ill, mentally disordered, or mentally disabled and is still subject to a disposition order of that court; or

(h) was dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces.

(2) The sheriff may deny an applicant a permit to carry a concealed weapon if the sheriff has reasonable cause to believe that the applicant is mentally ill, mentally disordered, or mentally disabled or otherwise may be a threat to the peace and good order of the community to the extent that the applicant should not be allowed to carry a concealed weapon. At the time an application is denied, the sheriff shall, unless the applicant is the subject of an active criminal investigation, give the applicant a written statement of the reasonable cause upon which the denial is based.

(3) An applicant for a permit under this section must, as a condition to issuance of the permit, be required by the sheriff to demonstrate familiarity with a firearm by:

(a) completion of a hunter education or safety course approved or conducted by the department of fish, wildlife, and parks or a similar agency of another state;

(b) completion of a firearms safety or training course approved or conducted by the department of fish, wildlife, and parks, a similar agency of another state, a national firearms association, a law enforcement agency, an institution of higher education, or an organization that uses instructors certified by a national firearms association;

(c) completion of a law enforcement firearms safety or training course offered to or required of public or private law enforcement personnel and conducted or approved by a law enforcement agency;

(d) possession of a license from another state to carry a firearm, concealed or otherwise, that is granted by that state upon completion of a course described in subsections (3)(a) through (3)(c); or

(e) evidence that the applicant, during military service, was found to be qualified to operate firearms, including handguns.

(4) A photocopy of a certificate of completion of a course described in subsection (3), an affidavit from the entity or instructor that conducted the course attesting to completion of the course, or a copy of any other document that attests to completion of the course and can be verified through contact with the entity or instructor that conducted the course creates a presumption that the applicant has completed a course described in subsection (3).

(5) If the sheriff and applicant agree, the requirement in subsection (3) of demonstrating familiarity with a firearm may be satisfied by the applicant's passing, to the satisfaction of the sheriff or of any person or entity to which the sheriff delegates authority to give the test, a physical test in which the applicant demonstrates the applicant's familiarity with a firearm.

(6) A person, except a person referred to in subsection (1)(c)(ii), who has been convicted of a felony and whose rights have been restored pursuant to Article II, section 28, of the Montana constitution is entitled to issuance of a concealed weapons permit if otherwise eligible.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 759, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 408, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 581, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 332, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 161, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 171, L. 2017; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 474, L. 2023.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 15 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1995–2025 · leading case: Smith v. Cnty. of Missoula, 1999 MT 330 (Mont. 1999).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Smith v. Cnty. of Missoula, 1999 MT 330 (Mont. 1999). · cites it 56× “*838 ISSUE 2 ¶ 18 Did the District Court abuse its discretion when it admitted evidence from Smith's criminal file which was confidential criminal justice information? ¶ 19 The legislature enacted § 45-8-321, MCA, to permit qualified individuals to carry a concealed weapon.”
Van Der Hule v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). · cites it 42× “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (l)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
Drake v. Filko, 724 F.3d 426 (3rd Cir. 2013). · cites it 2× “101 (1); Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321 (1); Neb. Rev.”
Frank Van Der Hule v. Eric Holder, Jr., 759 F.3d 1043 (9th Cir. 2014). · cites it 2× “In September 2007, the district court granted the government’s motion for summary judgment in part but certified a question to the Montana Supreme Court.”
Application of Dailey, 465 S.E.2d 601 (W. Va. 1995). · cites it 2× “090 (Vernon 1989); Mont.Code Ann. § 45-8-321 (1995) (sheriff); Nev.”
HULE v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). · cites it 45× “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (1)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
Osterweil v. Bartlett, 819 F. Supp. 2d 72 (N.D.N.Y. 2011). “090 (2002); Mont.Code Ann. § 45-8-321 (2002); Nev.Rev.”
Kortlander v. Cornell, 816 F. Supp. 2d 982 (D. Mont. 2011). · cites it 3× “The Complaint alleges only that during the pendency of the investigation he lost the right to carry a concealed firearm, citing § 45-8-321 of the Montana Code. Doc. 1, ¶ 58.”
Roberts v. Cuthpert, 317 Ga. 645 (Ga. 2023). “§ 45-9-101 (1) (a); Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321 (1); Neb. Rev.”
Democratic Party v. Jacobsen, 2022 MT 184 (Mont. 2022). “Compare §§ 45-8-321, -322, MCA (providing for issuance of concealed carry permits by county sheriffs and making no photograph requirement) with § 61-5-111, MCA 20 The majority of student IDs in Montana are issued by Montana University System state institutions, which require a…”
State ex rel. New Mexico Voices for Child., Inc. v. Denko, 2004 NMSC 011 (N.M. 2004). “II, § 12 (“but nothing herein contained shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons”); Mont.Code Ann. § 45-8-321 (2003). Colorado’s constitutional provision is also similar to New Mexico’s, yet Colorado allows a person to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon.”
Greenwood v. Dep't of Revenue, 2020 MT 149 (Mont. 2020). · cites it 2× “”), and when he applied for and obtained a Montana concealed weapons permit, see § 45-8-321(1), MCA (providing that an applicant of a permit to carry a concealed weapon “must be a United States citizen or permanent lawful resident .”
Show all 15 citing cases →
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(1) — 6 cases
Smith v. Cnty. of Missoula, 1999 MT 330 (Mont. 1999). “*838 ISSUE 2 ¶ 18 Did the District Court abuse its discretion when it admitted evidence from Smith's criminal file which was confidential criminal justice information? ¶ 19 The legislature enacted § 45-8-321, MCA, to permit qualified individuals to carry a concealed weapon.”
Van Der Hule v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (l)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
Drake v. Filko, 724 F.3d 426 (3rd Cir. 2013). “101 (1); Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321 (1); Neb. Rev.”
Frank Van Der Hule v. Eric Holder, Jr., 759 F.3d 1043 (9th Cir. 2014). “In September 2007, the district court granted the government’s motion for summary judgment in part but certified a question to the Montana Supreme Court.”
HULE v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (1)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(1)(a) — 1 case
HULE v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (1)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(1)(b) — 1 case
HULE v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (1)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(1)(c) — 1 case
HULE v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (1)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(1)(e) — 1 case
HULE v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (1)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(1)(g) — 1 case
HULE v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (1)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(2) — 4 cases
Smith v. Cnty. of Missoula, 1999 MT 330 (Mont. 1999). “*838 ISSUE 2 ¶ 18 Did the District Court abuse its discretion when it admitted evidence from Smith's criminal file which was confidential criminal justice information? ¶ 19 The legislature enacted § 45-8-321, MCA, to permit qualified individuals to carry a concealed weapon.”
Van Der Hule v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (l)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
Kortlander v. Cornell, 816 F. Supp. 2d 982 (D. Mont. 2011). “The Complaint alleges only that during the pendency of the investigation he lost the right to carry a concealed firearm, citing § 45-8-321 of the Montana Code. Doc. 1, ¶ 58.”
HULE v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (1)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(3) — 2 cases
Van Der Hule v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (l)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
HULE v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (1)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(6) — 1 case
Frank Van Der Hule v. Eric Holder, Jr., 759 F.3d 1043 (9th Cir. 2014). “In September 2007, the district court granted the government’s motion for summary judgment in part but certified a question to the Montana Supreme Court.”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(l)(a) — 1 case
Van Der Hule v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (l)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(l)(b) — 1 case
Van Der Hule v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (l)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(l)(c) — 1 case
Van Der Hule v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (l)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(l)(e) — 1 case
Van Der Hule v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (l)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-321(l)(g) — 1 case
Van Der Hule v. Mukasey, 2009 MT 20 (Mont. 2009). “15: Does § 45-8-321, MCA, prohibit a county sheriff from issuing a concealed weapon permit to a person described in subsection (l)(c) of the statute, or does a sheriff have discretion to issue a permit to a person falling within that category? We accepted the certified question…”
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