Highlights
- Private gun sales are legal in Montana.
- Montana generally follows the ATF’s list of persons prohibited from buying guns.
- Montana has state-specific restrictions on some felony convicts buying guns, but also lets them apply for permits to purchase from a district court.
- Cash for Arms gives gun sellers one of the most effortless options for selling a gun in Montana.
Step 1: Read the Montana Gun Laws
Before you try to sell your gun, get to know Montana’s gun laws first. We’ve parsed them into reader-friendly notes below.
Are Private Gun Sales Legal in Montana?
Yes, private gun sales are legal in Montana. This means individuals who aren’t licensed firearm dealers can sell guns in the state.
Are Background Checks on Buyers Required for Gun Sales in Montana?
Background checks aren’t required for private gun sales in Montana. If you find a buyer or have a friend who wants to buy your gun, you don’t have to conduct a background check on them. However, you should still take caution and make sure they are legally allowed to own a gun before selling to them!
If you’re selling to an FFL or decide to use one to help with the transaction, they are legally required to conduct an NICS background check on the buyer.
Do Buyers Need Permits or Licenses to Buy Guns in Montana?
No, buyers don’t need to purchase permits or licenses to buy guns in Montana.
At What Age Can People Buy Guns in Montana?
People can buy long guns like rifles and shotguns at 18 years old in Montana.
To buy handguns from federally licensed dealers, buyers need to be at least 21. They can buy handguns from private sellers starting from 18 years of age, however.
Is There a Waiting Period on Gun Sales in Montana?
No, there’s no required waiting period for gun sales in Montana.
Can You Sell an Unregistered Gun in Montana?
Yes, you can sell an unregistered gun in Montana. Montana doesn’t require gun registration anyway.
Can You Sell a Gun Directly to a Non-Resident If You’re in Montana?
No, you can’t sell a gun directly to someone out of state if you’re in Montana. Federal laws require you to do the transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in the buyer’s home state.
Who Can’t Buy Guns in Montana?
These people can’t buy guns in Montana according to federal law:
- Convicts of domestic violence misdemeanors
- Convicts of crimes that can be punished by imprisonment longer than a year
- People indicted for crimes that can be punished by imprisonment longer than a year
- Addicts or unlawful users of controlled substances
- People committed to mental institutions or judged as mental defectives
- People discharged from the USAF under dishonorable conditions
- People who’ve renounced United States citizenship
- People under restraining and similar court orders
- People who are fugitives from justice
- People who are illegal aliens
Montana law also doesn’t permit these people to buy guns:
- Convicted felons with “additional sentences” for crimes done with dangerous weapons
- Convicted felons who are on the sexual or violent offender registry
The only way these people can buy a gun in Montana is to apply to their county’s district court. The court will decide if they can get a permit to purchase guns again.
Step 2: Get Your Gun Ready to Sell in Montana
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To get the best offer for your gun in Montana, you have to do a little research and maintenance. We’ve put tips for that below.
Get the Exact Details of Your Gun
Ensure you can answer all of these questions:
- What’s the gun’s make?
- What’s the gun’s model?
- What caliber is the gun?
- Are there modifications to it and what are they?
- Does it come with accessories and what are they?
Prepare the Gun for Transport and Inspection
Selling a gun in Montana usually means letting potential buyers look at it. To prepare it for that, do these things:
- Unload the gun (and keep it unloaded for the rest of the sale process!).
- Give the gun a good cleaning.
- Find a secure container for the gun.
The third step is because you may need to travel with the gun. A store can ask to see it for appraisal or a private buyer for inspection.
When picking a container for that, by the way, choose one with padding or lining. This will prevent scratches on the gun’s finish during travel. Cosmetic issues can reduce its value!
Do Research on the Gun’s Value in Montana
Before you start offering the gun to buyers, find out what you should get for it. There are two ways to do this:
- Look for the sale prices of similar guns on online platforms like GunBroker or Montana Gun Trader.
- Get it appraised. We can do this for you at Cash for Arms at no cost.
Step 3: Sell Your Gun in Montana to One of These Buyers
You have four key options when it comes to gun buyers in Montana. Take a look at our guide below and decide which one works best for you!
Buyer Option 1: Cash for Arms
Cash for Arms often buys guns from Montana sellers – we even have a rep for doing it with zero hassle. Here’s the process:
- Send us your gun’s details through our website.
- Give us about an hour to send you an offer.
- Tell us if you like the offer and wait for our prepaid shipping labels.
- Ship the gun to us.
- Get paid the way you want.
Here’s a tip for savvy sellers: We pay the same day we receive your gun. However, you can pick your preferred payment method before that. This can help you get your cash even faster as we won’t have to wait for you to pick on the day.
If you are looking to sell a large amount of guns, we also offer liquidation services in Montana. This applies to large private gun collections, estates, and even store inventory liquidation.
Buyer Option 2: Montana Gun Stores
If you don’t mind traveling with your gun, consider the local gun stores. They usually pay up-front and in cash, though at somewhat low prices.
- Bring your gun to the local gun stores that buy used guns.
- Get appraisals and offers from each gun store you visit.
- Once you have at least a handful of offers, compare them.
- Sell the gun to the store that offers you the most.
Here’s a tip for savvy sellers: Gun stores do need to see your gun for a final appraisal, but they can give you estimates for it before that. Call them up to get baseline quotes before driving over! This will let you cross out the stores with low estimates from the start.
Buyer Option 3: Montana Pawn Shops
Local pawn shops are similar to local gun stores. They pay up-front and in cash too, but will also offer even less than gun stores do. This means you should consider them last if you care about getting the best deal on the sale. Keep in mind that not all pawn shops in Montana buy guys, so be sure to call ahead of time and check first.
Follow the same steps here as for gun stores and apply the same seller’s tip as well!
Buyer Option 4: Private Individuals in Montana
If you can spare the time and effort, selling a gun to another private individual in Montana can be worthwhile. It usually lets you decide more of the sale terms and even the price.
- Collect offers from your potential buyers.
- Compare and haggle over offers and sale terms.
- Pick a buyer and make sure he’s allowed to buy guns in Montana.
- Carry out the sale with a handover in a safe location.
Here’s a tip for savvy sellers: Gun enthusiasts tend to gather in the same areas, online or offline. If you want more potential buyers, ask your friends to spread word of it in their clubs. You can also ask which gun forums they frequent and advertise there.
Conclusion
That outlines all you need to know to carry out a private gun sale in Montana. If you just want a low-effort and high-reward sale, consider selling the gun to us at Cash for Arms.
Cash for Arms makes the gun-selling process fast and easy. And because we’re federally licensed, we keep you safe during the transaction. Be sure to follow this guide to help you safely and legally sell a gun in Montana.