Montana Hospital Concealed Carry

Kwik2010 · June 4, 2017, 05:07 PM

I curious as to the legality of carrying concealed in a Hospital in Montana. I've read the laws multiple times but I'm not sure how to interpret them. I have a cwp. I know if I am asked to leave, I must do so and will not hesitate to do so. I can not find a law that specifically prohibits hospital carry except for government run hospitals in the federal laws. I have a family member that frequents a certain hospital that has "No Gun" signs posted at the entrances but I'm not keen on disarming myself unless absolutely and legally required to. I've heard that they have no force of law unless I am asked to leave but how much truth is there to this? I haven't found a law that even addresses this. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

ShootistPRS · June 4, 2017, 06:02 PM

Look at the laws in Montana. You might have to check state, county and local laws too.
In Washington those signs have no force of law unless it is a specified federal or otherwise prohibited space. I like to go in and hand the manager one of these cards:
http://www.learntocarry.com/nogunsnomoney/
I have gotten a couple of local establishments to allow concealed carry that way.

FITASC · June 4, 2017, 06:18 PM

Quote:

In addition, be sure to check local regulations, which may restrict carrying concealed weapons at public meetings, and in public parks and buildings.

That is from the Montana DOJ site:

https://dojmt.gov/enforcement/concealed-weapons/

so, you will need to check the laws of the town where the hospital is located.

Paul105 · June 25, 2017, 10:49 AM

Contact Montana Shooting Sports Assoc.

mssa at mtssa dot org

paul

**Aguila Blanca** · June 25, 2017, 02:06 PM

I wonder if this means what it says:

Quote:

any place where alcoholic beverages are sold, dispensed and consumed

To me, wearing my editor's hat, "and" means the only prohibited places are those where alcoholic beverages are consumed on-site. I can easily see a cop interpreting it to include supermarkets that sell beer ...

Pinky Carruthers · June 25, 2017, 04:37 PM

Yes, that refers to bars not liquor stores or grocery stores.
AFAIK the only prohibited places for a CCW holder are banks, bars and .gov buildings (including university buildings).

Kwik2010 · June 28, 2017, 02:06 PM

Thank you for the replies. I tried contacting the sheriff's department and they said to call an attorney. Lots a help there. I'll contact MSSA. Thanks again. The city is Billings, MT by the way.

Kwik2010 · June 28, 2017, 05:29 PM

I got a very fast reply from MTSSA. This was what I wrote them and their reply:

Christian,

Hospitals are generally privately-owned private property. Thus, they can enforce their own rules (e.g., "No shirt, no shoes, no service.") It is not against the law to carry past their sign. However, if they find that you have violated their policy they may (probably will) ask you to leave. If you refuse, then it becomes a criminal matter - trespass.

Let me know if you have more questions.
Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
Author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.MtPublish.com

Hello,

I was pointed in the direction of contacting your assiciation about the legality of carrying in a hospital in Montana. Specifically, Billings, MT. I can't find any law that restricts it but the hospital in question has "no gun signs" posted at the doors. I don't want to break any laws so I've been leaving my firearm in my vehicle locked in a safe in the parking lot. I don't know if these signs have any force of law in Montana. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. I tried contacting the Sheriff's department and the only advice I was given was being told to speak to an attorney.

Thank you,
Christian

langenc · July 16, 2017, 05:48 PM

As for the cards-good idea that has been around.

Some groups/individuals have had em made up, 2 sided. Back mentions that CCW carriers are FBI checked and several other points and closes by asking "can you say that about all your customers?"

One fellow had several thousand made and then sent to those who wanted and remitted couple bucks for printing/postage.

June 4, 2017, 05:07 PM	#1
Kwik2010 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2016 Location: Montana Posts: 184	Montana Hospital Concealed Carry I curious as to the legality of carrying concealed in a Hospital in Montana. I've read the laws multiple times but I'm not sure how to interpret them. I have a cwp. I know if I am asked to leave, I must do so and will not hesitate to do so. I can not find a law that specifically prohibits hospital carry except for government run hospitals in the federal laws. I have a family member that frequents a certain hospital that has "No Gun" signs posted at the entrances but I'm not keen on disarming myself unless absolutely and legally required to. I've heard that they have no force of law unless I am asked to leave but how much truth is there to this? I haven't found a law that even addresses this. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

June 25, 2017, 04:37 PM	#6
Pinky Carruthers Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2004 Location: Rocky Mountains Posts: 649	Yes, that refers to bars not liquor stores or grocery stores. AFAIK the only prohibited places for a CCW holder are banks, bars and .gov buildings (including university buildings). __________________ "Love lost, fire at will Dum Dum bullets and shoot to kill I hear dive bombers, and Empire down." SOM

June 4, 2017, 06:02 PM	#2
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	Look at the laws in Montana. You might have to check state, county and local laws too. In Washington those signs have no force of law unless it is a specified federal or otherwise prohibited space. I like to go in and hand the manager one of these cards: http://www.learntocarry.com/nogunsnomoney/ I have gotten a couple of local establishments to allow concealed carry that way.

June 25, 2017, 10:49 AM	#4
Paul105 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 343	Contact Montana Shooting Sports Assoc. mssa at mtssa dot org paul

June 28, 2017, 02:06 PM	#7
Kwik2010 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2016 Location: Montana Posts: 184	Thank you for the replies. I tried contacting the sheriff's department and they said to call an attorney. Lots a help there. I'll contact MSSA. Thanks again. The city is Billings, MT by the way.

June 28, 2017, 05:29 PM	#8
Kwik2010 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2016 Location: Montana Posts: 184	I got a very fast reply from MTSSA. This was what I wrote them and their reply: Christian, Hospitals are generally privately-owned private property. Thus, they can enforce their own rules (e.g., "No shirt, no shoes, no service.") It is not against the law to carry past their sign. However, if they find that you have violated their policy they may (probably will) ask you to leave. If you refuse, then it becomes a criminal matter - trespass. Let me know if you have more questions. Gary Marbut, president Montana Shooting Sports Association http://www.mtssa.org Author, Gun Laws of Montana http://www.MtPublish.com Hello, I was pointed in the direction of contacting your assiciation about the legality of carrying in a hospital in Montana. Specifically, Billings, MT. I can't find any law that restricts it but the hospital in question has "no gun signs" posted at the doors. I don't want to break any laws so I've been leaving my firearm in my vehicle locked in a safe in the parking lot. I don't know if these signs have any force of law in Montana. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. I tried contacting the Sheriff's department and the only advice I was given was being told to speak to an attorney. Thank you, Christian

July 16, 2017, 05:48 PM	#9
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,551	As for the cards-good idea that has been around. Some groups/individuals have had em made up, 2 sided. Back mentions that CCW carriers are FBI checked and several other points and closes by asking "can you say that about all your customers?" One fellow had several thousand made and then sent to those who wanted and remitted couple bucks for printing/postage.