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Concealed Weapons Permits

The Chouteau County Sheriff's Office issues Concealed Weapons Permits in accordance with Montana State Law. In an effort to assist qualified citizens with obtaining their permits and educating the public about concealed weapons the following information and links are provided. If you have further questions please contact Undersheriff Owen at 622-5451.

The following is an outline of the application process for obtaining a concealed weapons permit through the Chouteau County Sheriff's Office:

According to Section 45-8-321 Montana Code Annotated, we need the following information and copy of the completion of the firearms safety course to continue the processing.

(1) An applicant for a permit under this section must, as a condition to issuance of the permit, be required by the Sheriff to demonstrate familiarity with a firearm by:

(a) Completion of a hunter education or safety course approved or conducted by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks or a similar agency of another state.

(b) Completion of a firearms safety or training course approved or conducted  by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks or a similar agency of another state, a national firearms association, a law enforcement agency, an institution of higher education or an organization that used instructors certified by a national firearms association.

(c) Completion of law enforcement firearms safety training course offered to or required of public or private law
enforcement personnel and conducted or approved by law enforcement agency.

(d) Possession of license from another state to carry a firearm, concealed or otherwise, that is granted by that state upon completion of a course described in subsection (3a) through (3c): or

(2) A photography of a certificate of completion of a course described in section (3), an affidavit from the entity or instructor that conducted the course attesting to completion of the course, or copy of any other document that attest to completion of the course and can be verified through contact with the entity or instructor that conducted the course creates a presumption that the applicant has completed a course described in subsection (3).

(3) If the Sheriff and applicant agree, the requirement in subsection (3) of demonstrating familiarity with a firearm may be satisfied by the applicant’s passing, to the satisfaction of the Sheriff or of any person or entity to which the Sheriff delegates authority to give the test, a physical test in which the applicant demonstrates the applicant’s familiarity with a firearm.

A fee of $50.00 must be included with the application, which is good for four (4) years. Checks will be made out to the Sheriff of Chouteau County. You will need to make an appointment to be fingerprinted so that a background investigation may be conducted and there will be a $5.00 fee charged for this.

If you have any questions concerning the processing of your application, please contact this office at 622-5451 during business hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Click here for Concealed Weapons Permit Application.PDF

Click here for Concealed Weapons Permit Application.DOC (Office 2007)

--- Note on renewals ---

Application for renewal must be made within ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the permit

The following are links to the Montana Code Annotated dealing with Concealed Weapons:

45-8-315. Definition.

45-8-316. Carrying concealed weapons.

45-8-317. Exceptions.

45-8-321. Permit to carry concealed weapon.

45-8-322. Application, renewal, permit, and fees.

45-8-323. Denial of renewal -- revocation of permit.

45-8-324. Appeal.

45-8-325. Permittee change of county of residence -- notification to sheriffs and chief of police.

45-8-326. Immunity from liability.

45-8-327. Carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence.

45-8-328. Carrying concealed weapon in prohibited place -- penalty.

45-8-329. Concealed weapon permits from other states recognized -- advisory council.

45-8-330. (Temporary) Exemption of concealed weapon permittee from federal handgun purchase background check and waiting period.

Other Links of Interest

The Montana Code Annotated

45-3-101. Definitions.

45-3-102. Use of force in defense of person.

45-3-103. Use of force in defense of occupied structure.

45-3-104. Use of force in defense of other property.

45-3-105. Use of force by aggressor.

Attorney Generals Office - Department of Justice - Concealed Weapons Page