Just moved to Montana

[therealcombat]

Hey guys, i just moved to Montana from Washington.

I'm a little disappointed by the 6 month residency requirement to obtain an MT concealed weapons permit. I've got a WA permit which is recognized by MT. However, there seems to be some FUD on whether or not it's still recognized once i become an MT resident.

http://www.co.missoula.mt.us/mcsheriff/faqs.htm#faq16
Missoula County Sherif's FAQ claims i need to apply for an MT permit, but i couldn't find a law backing this up. Legally, couldn't i just continue to use my WA permit indefinitely?

45-8-329 Makes no distinction whether an out-of-state permit holder is a resident or not.

So, is my WA permit still recognized as an MT resident or am i screwed out of a concealed carry permit for the next 6 months?

Is there anything else i should know?

 

[acmariner99]

Montana is very OC friendly so why worry about it?

 

[MT4Runner]

For hunting purposes, you're not considered a "resident" until after you've been here 6 months.

 

[MontanaCZ]

If you have a permit from a state that Montana recognizes (such as Washington), resident or not, you are fine. Montana does not make a distinction between resident/non-resident. Also, there is no code that I have ever been aware of that states that you as a resident of Montana, have to have a Montana permit to be covered. Having said that, there are certainly people out there, officers and not, that will tell you that you have to possess a Montana permit to be legal. I have been over this with officers and even with the MTSSA folk. For your Washington permit, notify them that you have moved, and then when renewal comes up go to Spokane to get the renewal done.

I have refused to meet the requirements for the Montana permit. Also be advised that it goes in your records that get tied to everything, such as property, motor vehicle, etc.. So it is fairly easy for someone to find out that you have a permit.

-CZ

 

[Ca Patriot]

What makesHow do I establish residency in Montana?

Montana has several different residency requirements.

For the purposes of obtaining a Driver's License, you are considered a resident after 60 consecutive days and must have a Montana license in order to operate a motor vehicle. For a commercial motor vehicle license, the requirement is 30 days. For more information on driver licensing, see Montana Codes Annotated 61-5-103 and the Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Division Driver Licensing page.

For purposes of fishing and hunting licenses, you are considered a resident after 180 consecutive days. After residency has been established, you must live in Montana at least 120 days a year; your principal home must be located in Montana; you must file state income tax returns as a resident (if required to file); vehicles operated in Montana must be licensed and titled as required by law; you can be registered to vote only in Montana; and, you can not claim residency in any other state or country for any purpose. There are different requirements for members of the armed forces. For more information, see Montana Codes Annotated 87-2-102 and the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

For the purposes of higher education, a student must be domiciled in Montana for one year immediately preceding registration. Attendance as a full-time student is not sufficient to qualify for residence. For more information, see Montana Codes Annotated 20-25-201.

 

[DCR]

CA Patriot got it right on. Every state is quick to treat you as a resident (albeit a little schizo with varying 30/60/180/1 year mandates) if it means fees to the coffers, but slow to dribble out the benefits of residency. Not surprising though - all states do too, to some degree.

Do the first things first - plates and driver's license. And do them quickly - you'd hate to apply for a carry permit only to have them point out that their records only show you'd been there 5 months, because you waited for 30 days or more before you got a MT driver's license and plates. They may accept a utility bill (like they do for voter registration in most places) with your name and MT address, but again, they only come out every 30 days. Why wait - start the process as early as you can to claim the benefits of residency as quickly as you can.

And don't forget to go to the Bozeman gun show July 13-14-15, and the one in Missoula at the fieldhouse (August?) and Hamilton in November or December.

You're also not too far from Cody, if you want to see a killer Winchester show and take in the museum. June sometime.

Cheers -

DCR

 

[therealcombat]

If you have a permit from a state that Montana recognizes (such as Washington), resident or not, you are fine. Montana does not make a distinction between resident/non-resident. Also, there is no code that I have ever been aware of that states that you as a resident of Montana, have to have a Montana permit to be covered. Having said that, there are certainly people out there, officers and not, that will tell you that you have to possess a Montana permit to be legal. I have been over this with officers and even with the MTSSA folk. For your Washington permit, notify them that you have moved, and then when renewal comes up go to Spokane to get the renewal done.

I have refused to meet the requirements for the Montana permit. Also be advised that it goes in your records that get tied to everything, such as property, motor vehicle, etc.. So it is fairly easy for someone to find out that you have a permit.

-CZ

I noticed that for Residents with a Montana permit, you must notify the sheriff where you intend to move that you have a permit. Should i bother doing the same for my Washington permit?

CA Patriot got it right on. Every state is quick to treat you as a resident (albeit a little schizo with varying 30/60/180/1 year mandates) if it means fees to the coffers, but slow to dribble out the benefits of residency. Not surprising though - all states do too, to some degree.

Do the first things first - plates and driver's license. And do them quickly - you'd hate to apply for a carry permit only to have them point out that their records only show you'd been there 5 months, because you waited for 30 days or more before you got a MT driver's license and plates. They may accept a utility bill (like they do for voter registration in most places) with your name and MT address, but again, they only come out every 30 days. Why wait - start the process as early as you can to claim the benefits of residency as quickly as you can.

And don't forget to go to the Bozeman gun show July 13-14-15, and the one in Missoula at the fieldhouse (August?) and Hamilton in November or December.

You're also not too far from Cody, if you want to see a killer Winchester show and take in the museum. June sometime.

Cheers -

DCR

Unfortunately Montana has some weird laws on required documents for obtaining a driver's license here. I've never needed my birth certificate for anything but I need one here. So I'm waiting on documents to arrive before I can do anything else.

I'll definitely be attending the local gun shows. Can't wait!


Anyone know any good places to shoot near Lolo?

 

[MontanaCZ]

I noticed that for Residents with a Montana permit, you must notify the sheriff where you intend to move that you have a permit. Should i bother doing the same for my Washington permit?

If you don't have a Montana permit, why would you notify the local police that you are moving and have a Washington permit?

Anyone know any good places to shoot near Lolo?

There are 2 ranges that I know of in Missoula, but I cannot tell you much about them. We do participate in USPSA through the bspsc.org. That range is located in East Missoula (Bonner).

-CZ

 

[therealcombat]

To clarify, i'm not looking for a range. Just looking for some nearby public land with a good backstop.