Is a Montana Non-Resident Permit Valid in Alaska?

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).

Under AS 18.65.748 a person holding a valid permit from another state is treated as an Alaska permittee (no resident-only condition); in practice recognition matters little because anyone 21+ who may legally possess may carry permitless. Under-21 carriers are NOT covered even with an out-of-state permit.

Carry rules in Alaska

Your Montana habits may not match Alaska's law. Check these three areas before you carry there.

• Alaska imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. DPS FAQ: when contacted by a law enforcement officer while carrying concealed you must IMMEDIATELY inform the officer that you possess the firearm; failure to do so is a criminal offense (AS 11.61.220).
• Alaska sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Alaska allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• A loaded concealed handgun may be carried in a vehicle without a permit by anyone 21+ who may lawfully possess; the immediate duty to inform applies on any police contact.

Off-limits places in Alaska

• K-12 schools and school grounds
• Child care facilities
• Courthouses and court system offices
• Private premises displaying notices that firearms are prohibited

Frequently asked questions

Is a Montana non-resident permit valid in Alaska?

Montana has no non-resident permit program (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). Travelers who want multi-state coverage usually pair their home-state permit with a widely honored non-resident permit from another state.

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

Alaska imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. DPS FAQ: when contacted by a law enforcement officer while carrying concealed you must IMMEDIATELY inform the officer that you possess the firearm; failure to do so is a criminal offense (AS 11.61.220).

Does Alaska limit magazine capacity?

Alaska sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Alaska without any permit?

Alaska allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 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.