Is a California Non-Resident Permit Valid in Montana?

Why

• Montana's official reciprocity list includes California.
• Montana allows permitless carry, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.

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

Whatever your permit status, Montana law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.

• 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

Montana bans carry in 4 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• 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)

See all 4 places you can't carry in Montana →

California vs Montana: what changes at the state line

Crossing from California into Montana changes 4 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes); magazine limit (10 rounds → None); out-of-state permits honored (None → 43 states); open carry (Restricted → Yes, no permit).

Going the other way, a Montana non-resident permit in California: no such permit issued.

Driving on from Montana

How a California non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Montana:

• Idaho — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• North Dakota — Permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies
• South Dakota — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Wyoming — Permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Montana honor a California resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. The answer is the same as for the non-resident permit on this page.

Can a Montana non-resident permit holder carry in California?

Montana does not issue non-resident carry permits, so there is no such permit to carry in California.

Where does Montana publish its official reciprocity list?

Montana publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.