45-8-351. Restriction on local government regulation of firearms. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a county, city, town, consolidated local government, or other local government unit may not prohibit, register, tax, license, or regulate the purchase, sale or other transfer (including delay in purchase, sale, or other transfer), ownership, possession, transportation, use, or unconcealed carrying of any weapon, including a rifle, shotgun, handgun, or concealed handgun.
(2) (a) For public safety purposes, a city or town may regulate the discharge of rifles, shotguns, and handguns. A county, city, town, consolidated local government, or other local government unit has power to prevent and suppress the carrying of unpermitted concealed weapons or the carrying of unconcealed weapons to a publicly owned and occupied building under its jurisdiction.
(b) Nothing contained in this section allows any government to prohibit the legitimate display of firearms at shows or other public occasions by collectors and others or to prohibit the legitimate transportation of firearms through any jurisdiction, whether in airports or otherwise.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 589, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 759, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 384, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 218, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 3, L. 2021.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Chapter 8. Offenses Against Public Order
45-8-301. Uniformity of interpretation
45-8-303. Possession or use of machine gun in connection with a crime
45-8-304. Possession or use of machine gun for offensive purpose
45-8-305. Presumption of offensive or aggressive purpose
45-8-311. and 45-8-312 reserved
45-8-313. Unlawful possession of firearm by convicted person
45-8-314. Lifetime firearms supervision of certain convicted persons
45-8-316. Carrying concealed firearms -- exemption
45-8-318. Possession of deadly weapon by prisoner or youth in facility
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
45-8-326. Immunity from liability
45-8-327. Carrying concealed weapon while under influence
45-8-328. Carrying concealed weapon in prohibited place -- penalty
45-8-329. Concealed weapon permits from other states recognized -- advisory council
45-8-333. Reckless or malicious use of explosives
45-8-334. Possession of destructive device
45-8-335. Possession of explosives
45-8-336. Possession of silencer
45-8-338. Firearms certificates for qualified retired law enforcement officers
45-8-340. Sawed-off firearm -- penalty
45-8-344. Use of firearms by children under 14 years of age prohibited -- exceptions
45-8-345. Criminal liability of parent or guardian -- prosecution
45-8-346. through 45-8-350 reserved
45-8-351. Restriction on local government regulation of firearms
45-8-352. Restriction on local government regulation of knives
45-8-355. Legislative findings
45-8-356. Where concealed weapon may be carried -- exceptions
45-8-357. Prohibition on infringement of constitutional rights
45-8-358. Regulation of firearms prohibited for certain people -- exceptions
45-8-359. Remedy for violations
45-8-360. Establishment of individual licensure
45-8-362. through 45-8-364 reserved