Is a North Carolina Non-Resident Permit Valid in Montana?

Why

• North Carolina does not issue carry permits to non-residents (applicant must have been a north carolina resident for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (g.s. 14-415.12(a)); no non-resident permits).

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

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

• 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 →

North Carolina vs Montana: what changes at the state line

Crossing from North Carolina into Montana changes 3 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes); duty to inform police (Yes → No); out-of-state permits honored (All states → 43 states).

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

Permits that do work in Montana

These non-resident permits are honored in Montana, ranked by how many states honor each one. They are issued to people who live outside the issuing state, subject to its eligibility rules.

• North Dakota non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Ohio non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Idaho non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Texas non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Florida non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• South Carolina non-resident permit · honored in 32 states

Driving on from Montana

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

• Idaho — No such permit issued
• North Dakota — No such permit issued
• South Dakota — No such permit issued
• Wyoming — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Montana honor a North Carolina resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Montana treats the two permit types differently.

Can a Montana non-resident permit holder carry in North Carolina?

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

Does North Carolina issue non-resident carry permits?

No. North Carolina issues carry permits to residents only (applicant must have been a North Carolina resident for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (G.S. 14-415.12(a)); no non-resident permits). 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.