Montana is one of the most notable states for campus carry in the country. A 2021 law made public colleges and universities subject to concealed carry rules, permitting adults with permit-qualifying training to carry on campus — likely including stun guns.
What Montana Law Actually Says
Montana Code § 45-8-313 permits adults 18+ to possess stun guns without a permit. Beyond that, Montana's 2021 campus carry law is significant: it requires all public institutions of higher education to comply with general concealed carry rules. Adults who have received training that would make them eligible for a concealed carry permit may carry on public Montana campuses — even without holding an actual permit.
This is unusual nationally. Most states either ban campus carry outright or allow it only with a permit. Montana's framework requires training but not a formal license.
What This Means in Practice
The law applies to public universities (UM, MSU, Montana Tech). Private institutions like Carroll College and Rocky Mountain College are exempt and maintain their own weapons bans.
If your student attends a public Montana university, verify the current campus policy with the university police — the training requirement and specific allowed devices may have been clarified since the law passed.
What to Carry Instead
Even in Montana, a personal alarm and pepper spray are the simplest no-complications choice for everyday carry. The She's Birdie Personal Alarm ($29.99) is unrestricted everywhere. The SABRE Campus Safety Pepper Gel ($11.99) is legal in Montana with no restrictions.
Public Montana campus students: Montana's campus carry law may permit stun guns with training. Verify current policy with your campus police before carrying.
For self-defense tools that are legal on every campus: see our complete dorm safety kit guide and best personal alarms for college students.
Important: Campus policies change. Always verify current pepper spray rules directly with your student's campus police department or housing office before move-in day. State law sets the minimum — individual colleges can be more restrictive.