Is a Montana Resident Permit Valid in New Mexico?

Why

• Montana is not on New Mexico's official reciprocity list.

DPS defines reciprocity as permission for 'an out of state license issued to a person who is not a New Mexico resident' to be used while visiting or passing through — the holder need not reside in the issuing state, but NM affords no reciprocity to any out-of-state license held by a New Mexico resident (10.8.2.29(H) NMAC). Several states that honor NM licenses (AL, AK, ID, MN, MT, TN, UT, WV, WI) are NOT honored by NM.

Carry rules in New Mexico

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside New Mexico, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• No proactive duty; a licensee carrying in public must display the license upon demand by a peace officer (10.8.2.16(D) NMAC). Consuming alcohol while carrying is prohibited (10.8.2.16(B)).
• New Mexico sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• New Mexico is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit New Mexico recognizes.
• Anyone not otherwise prohibited may carry a loaded concealed firearm in a private vehicle (including motorcycles and bicycles) without a license, per the DPS FAQ.

Off-limits places in New Mexico

New Mexico bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Schools and preschools (limited private-vehicle exception)
• University premises

See all 6 places you can't carry in New Mexico →

Montana vs New Mexico: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Montana into New Mexico changes 2 rules: permitless carry (Yes → No); out-of-state permits honored (43 states → 20 states).

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

Permits that do work in New Mexico

These non-resident permits are honored in New Mexico, 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
• 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
• Arizona non-resident permit · honored in 31 states

Driving on from New Mexico

How a Montana resident permit fares in the states bordering New Mexico:

• Arizona — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Colorado — Recognized — carry with your permit
• Oklahoma — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Texas — Recognized — and permitless carry applies

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does New Mexico 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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico's.

Where does New Mexico publish its official reciprocity list?

New Mexico 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.