Is a Montana Resident Permit Valid in Minnesota?

Why

• Enhanced permit only

DPS publishes the recognized-state list annually (Minn. Stat. 624.714 subd. 16); the statute recognizes 'a person holding a carry permit' from a qualifying state without requiring residency in the issuing state. NOT recognized (2026 list): Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Several states are recognized only conditionally — see overrides.

Carry rules in Minnesota

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

• No proactive duty: the permit card and ID must be displayed upon lawful demand, and the holder must disclose whether they are carrying only upon a peace officer's request (Minn. Stat. 624.714 subd. 1b).
• Minnesota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Minnesota is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Minnesota recognizes.
• A permit is required to carry a loaded pistol in a motor vehicle; without a permit, pistols must be transported unloaded and cased under the Minn. Stat. 624.714 transport exceptions.

Off-limits places in Minnesota

Minnesota bans carry in 5 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• School property, except in a vehicle or placing/retrieving from the trunk (Minn. Stat. 609.66 subd. 1d)
• Courthouse complexes, unless the permit holder has notified the sheriff (Minn. Stat. 609.66 subd. 1g)

Montana vs Minnesota: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Montana into Minnesota changes 3 rules: permitless carry (Yes → No); out-of-state permits honored (43 states → 33 states); open carry (Yes, no permit → With a permit).

Going the other way, a Minnesota resident permit in Montana: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Driving on from Minnesota

How a Montana resident permit fares in the states bordering Minnesota:

• Iowa — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• North Dakota — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• South Dakota — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Wisconsin — Recognized — holders 21+ only

Frequently asked questions

Does Minnesota honor a Montana non-resident permit?

Montana does not issue non-resident carry permits (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), so the question does not arise.

Can a Minnesota resident permit holder carry in Montana?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Montana's law, not Minnesota's.

Where does Minnesota publish its official reciprocity list?

Minnesota 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.