Is a Montana Non-Resident Permit Valid in Alabama?

Why

• Montana does not issue carry permits to non-residents (permit requires at least 6 months' montana residency, us citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and montana id (mca 45-8-321; mt doj). no non-resident permits are issued).

Attorney General: 'The state of Alabama recognizes any concealed carry permit issued by another state' (Ala. Code § 13A-11-85(a)); no resident-only condition stated.

Carry rules in Alabama

Crossing into Alabama swaps the rulebook. Here is what changes for a visiting carrier.

• No proactive duty to inform found on any official Alabama source; answer truthfully and present a permit if an officer asks during a lawful stop.
• Alabama sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Alabama allows permitless concealed carry from age 19 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Since Jan 1, 2023 a loaded handgun may be carried in a vehicle without a permit by anyone who may carry permitless (Act 2022-133 removed the vehicle-carry permit requirement).

Off-limits places in Alabama

• Police, sheriff and highway patrol stations
• Prisons, jails and other detention facilities
• Psychiatric and mental-health inpatient facilities
• Courthouses and court-related buildings
• Professional and school athletic events (without a permit)
• Secured facilities with guarded, restricted access

Frequently asked questions

Is a Montana non-resident permit valid in Alabama?

Montana doesn't put this permit on the table for non-residents (permit requires at least 6 months' Montana residency, US citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and Montana ID (MCA 45-8-321; MT DOJ). No non-resident permits are issued). See our non-resident permit guide for the states that do, and which of their permits Alabama accepts.

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

No proactive duty to inform found on any official Alabama source; answer truthfully and present a permit if an officer asks during a lawful stop.

Does Alabama limit magazine capacity?

Alabama sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Alabama without any permit?

Alabama allows permitless concealed carry from age 19 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

Does Montana issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Montana issues carry permits to residents only (permit requires at least 6 months' Montana residency, US citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and Montana ID (MCA 45-8-321; MT DOJ). No non-resident permits are issued). 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.