MTMilitiaman
Member
So I was always told that it is perfectly legal to carry a concealed weapon in a backpack or purse in MT because state law only considers a weapon concealed if it is covered by clothing, and backpacks and purses aren't considered clothing. I was thinking about trying to get some members of my family together to get a .38 for my sister to keep in her purse. She just had a kid and has been putting serious thought into the subject since she has so much to protect now, but I wanted to be certain I was informing her correctly if I told her she could carry it in a purse without a permit.
There seems to be some ambiguity here and I can't find any further clarification in the Montana State Code that clarifies whether backpacks and purses are considered clothing.
45-8-315. Definition. "Concealed weapon" means any weapon mentioned in 45-8-316 through 45-8-318 and 45-8-321 through 45-8-328 that is wholly or partially covered by the clothing or wearing apparel of the person carrying or bearing the weapon, except that for purposes of 45-8-321 through 45-8-328, concealed weapon means a handgun or a knife with a blade 4 or more inches in length that is wholly or partially covered by the
clothing or wearing apparel of the person carrying or bearing the weapon.
There seems to be some ambiguity here and I can't find any further clarification in the Montana State Code that clarifies whether backpacks and purses are considered clothing.