State of Montana Newsroom
Montana Ranked Fourth Most Gun-Friendly State
Gov. Gianforte celebrates Montana’s Second Amendment heritage
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana is ranked the fourth most gun-friendly state in the nation.
“As Montanans, we’re proud of our Second Amendment-protected right to keep and bear arms and know we have a responsibility to preserve it,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We’ll continue to keep Montana a sanctuary for freedom and free enterprise, and we’ll always defend the rights of law-abiding Montanans.”
Gov. Gianforte firing a rifle at Range 406 in Helena
According to the ranking released by Ammo.com, states were reviewed on laws, taxes, and the lawful use of firearms to determine which states rank best for legal gun ownership.
In his first year in office, the governor made Montana a constitutional carry state and prohibited the enforcement of any federal law, executive order, rule, or regulation that infringes upon ownership, possession, transfer, or use of any firearm, magazine, or firearm accessory in Montana.
The governor has consistently defended Montanans’ second amendment rights from federal overreach. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Gov. Gianforte last February criticized the Biden administration’s attempt to erode the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Montanans.
Montana is home to over 150 innovative firearms and ammunitions businesses, the highest per capita in the country. And to support them, Gov. Gianforte last spring protected Montanans’ retirement security from Environmental, Social, and Governance investing and Montana’s firearms industry from discrimination.
The top 22 states ranked most-gun friendly are all run by Republican governors. In the 2024 ranking, Montana falls only behind New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Arkansas.
To view the full report, see here.