Federal law requires firearms dealers to obtain a license from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), although resource limitations prevent the ATF from properly overseeing all its licensees.

Montana does not require firearms dealers to obtain a state license or otherwise significantly regulate firearms dealers. For laws:

• Applicable to both licensed and unlicensed sellers of firearms, see the Montana Universal Background Checks section;
• Requiring firearms dealers to conduct a background check on the purchaser, see the Montana Background Checks section;
• Requiring dealers to record or report firearm sales to law enforcement, see the Montana Retention of Sales / Background Checks Records section.

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