Is a Arkansas Non-Resident Permit Valid in Montana?

Why

• Arkansas does not issue carry permits to non-residents (requires arkansas residency for 90+ continuous days (§ 5-73-309(2)); exception — active-duty us armed forces members and their spouses are exempt from the residency requirement).

MCA 45-8-329 recognizes another state's permit if that state requires a criminal-records background check before issuance and the holder carries the permit plus photo ID; it imposes no issuing-state residency condition. The AG list (last updated Oct 2024) excludes Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island because their laws do not expressly require background checks; Vermont issues no permits. Recognition is largely moot for eligible adults because carry is permitless.

Carry rules in Montana

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter Montana, these rules replace the ones you know from Arkansas.

• No statutory duty to proactively inform an officer. A traveler carrying under reciprocity must have the permit in immediate possession plus photo ID (MCA 45-8-329).
• Montana sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Montana allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Montana has no prohibitions on carrying a loaded weapon in a motor vehicle (MT DOJ).

Off-limits places in Montana

• Restricted portions of state or local government office buildings (unless holding a Montana or recognized permit, MCA 45-8-328)
• Courtrooms and spaces controlled by a Montana court (unless authorized by the judge)
• Montana public schools (unless authorized by the school board)
• Federal offices and buildings (federal law)

Frequently asked questions

Is a Arkansas non-resident permit valid in Montana?

Arkansas does not sell permits to out-of-state applicants (requires Arkansas residency for 90+ continuous days (§ 5-73-309(2)); exception — active-duty US Armed Forces members and their spouses are exempt from the residency requirement). For carry in Montana, what matters is a permit you can actually hold — your resident permit, or a non-resident permit from a state that issues them.

Do I have to tell police in Montana that I am carrying?

No statutory duty to proactively inform an officer. A traveler carrying under reciprocity must have the permit in immediate possession plus photo ID (MCA 45-8-329).

Does Montana limit magazine capacity?

Montana sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Montana without any permit?

Montana allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

Does Arkansas issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Arkansas issues carry permits to residents only (requires Arkansas residency for 90+ continuous days (§ 5-73-309(2)); exception — active-duty US Armed Forces members and their spouses are exempt from the residency requirement). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.