Montana Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Montana, and what can employers and facility managers realistically do to keep their people safe across Big Sky Country’s vast, remote landscapes?
At Omnilert, we specialize in AI security software and emergency notification systems. We work with organizations all across Montana – from urban centers like Billings and Missoula to remote facilities in the eastern plains and mountain communities – to help solve for the worst case security scenarios, especially active shooter events.
Montana’s unique challenges include extreme distances between emergency services, harsh weather conditions that can delay response times, and facilities that may be geographically isolated. For businesses operating near tribal lands, in mining operations, or serving the state’s ranching communities, security planning requires special consideration.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in Montana and offer our insight on the limitations of traditional security systems for preventing casualty events in both populated and remote settings. We’ll also look at how our own AI security technology can help keep people safer, even when help may be miles away.
Where Does Montana Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Montana rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #38
247 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 38 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #8
21.5 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 3 Most Dangerous Cities in Montana
- Wolf Point
- Billings
- Polson
Top 5 Safest Cities in Montana
- Miles City
- Libby
- Whitefish
- Glendive
- Dillon
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Montana’s Recent History
While Montana has been spared from mass casualty events in recent years, the state faces a critical gun violence challenge in the form of suicide, ranking fifth-highest nationally for gun deaths. A mass shooting event, as defined by the Gun Violence Archive, describes an incident in which four or more people are injured by a firearm in one location around the same time.
Anaconda Shooting (2025)
A man is suspected of opening fire at a bar next door to where he lived, killing four people, before fleeing and sparking a manhunt.
Ennis Shooting (2019)
A man opened fire on a group of people outside of a bar, killing one and injuring 10. Then engaged in a high speed chase and shootout with law enforcement, before being captured.
Montana’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Montana ranks 47th in the nation for the strength of its gun laws, taking a distinctly hands-off approach that prioritizes gun rights over regulation.
- Permitless carry
- Campus carry mandates – The legislature required colleges and universities to allow guns on their campuses
- Blocking local restrictions
- No common safety measures – including universal background checks, extreme risk protection orders, secure storage requirements, and waiting periods
- Suicide prevention funding
Despite these efforts, the rate of gun suicide increased 28% from 2014 to 2023, compared to a 20% change nationwide, with 82% of gun deaths in the state being suicides. Gun violence costs Montana $3 billion each year, of which $30.9 million is paid by taxpayers, suggesting the state’s limited regulatory approach has not stemmed the crisis.
Why Montana Needs Help Why Montana Facilities Need Better Security Solutions to Prevent Gun Violence
Most security systems today operate with inherent limitations that make them less practical for preventing a determined active shooter. On that front, these systems are better at documenting incidents than they are at actually preventing violence.
Limitations of traditional security systems for shooter prevention:
- Surveillance cameras only help with investigations after incidents occur
- Gunshot detection waits until someone’s already shooting
- Manual monitoring fails because humans can’t watch dozens of feeds effectively
- Emergency response protocols depend on someone being available to activate them
In other words, by the time traditional systems kick in, it’s often too late.
How Omnilert Can Help Using Military-Grade AI Technology to Detect Firearms Before Shots are Fired
When seconds matter most, AI visual gun detection can identify firearms before shots are fired. Military-grade technology like Omnilert’s can integrate with your existing cameras to protect your facility and enact an automated emergency response if a threat is detected.
By themselves, security cameras can’t prevent what they can’t predict. Omnilert brings gun detection technology to facilities across the United States to transform your existing surveillance into an active threat prevention system. Instead of documenting incidents after they happen, AI-powered visual detection spots firearms the moment they appear and triggers immediate response protocols.
Benefits of Omnilert Engaging a Full-Scale Emergency Response to Active Shooters
If an active threat is confirmed at your Montana facility, there’s no time to waste. The situation calls for an immediate and complete emergency response. Facilities that use Omnilert initiate an automated response across multiple technologies to help protect as many lives as possible.
Instant Notifications
Multi-channel emergency notifications instantly alert staff, security, and law enforcement.
Automated Response
Automated response workflows that trigger lockdown procedures, activate alarms, and more.
Mobile Alerts
Mobile applications that keep staff informed and connected during emergencies.
Alarm Activation
Use audio and video systems to sound alarms and deliver clear safety instructions.
Access Control
Lock or unlock doors to contain threats, secure exits, and protect vulnerable areas.
Custom Response
Engage a fully-custom response using your existing security technology.
Law Enforcement
Notify local police of an active threat or verified security incident.
Liability Protection
Omnilert’s DHS SAFETY Act designation offers liability protection.
Protecting Spaces Everywhere What Types of Montana Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Montana. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Montana Gun Violence Statistics
How does Montana rank nationally for gun deaths?
Montana ranks fifth-highest in the nation for gun violence rate in 2024, and had the ninth highest gun death rate among the states in 2023. Montana has about 20 deaths per 100,000 people compared to the national rate of 13 deaths per 100,000.
What percentage of gun deaths in Montana are suicides?
Eighty-two percent of gun deaths in Montana are gun suicides, and 13% are gun homicides. Montana sees about 179 gun suicides a year, which is just over 16 suicides per 100,000 people—the second highest rate in the country.
How many people die from gun violence in Montana each year?
In an average year, 250 people die from gun violence in the state, which means someone dies from gun violence every 35 hours.
Who is most at risk for gun deaths in Montana?
White males over the age of 34 accounted for 25.6% of the population in Montana but 53% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023. Montana had the highest gun suicide rate for females in the country in 2023, and American Indian/Alaska Native people were five times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts from 2019 to 2023.
What is the economic cost of gun violence in Montana?
Gun violence costs Montana $3.0 billion each year, of which $30.9 million is paid by taxpayers.
Sources (as of December 23, 2025)
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-montana/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-montana/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-montana/
- https://actionfund.sandyhookpromise.org/in-your-state/new-jersey/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1380025/us-gun-violence-rate-by-state/
- https://ammo.com/articles/gun-violence-statistics
- https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/gun-deaths-per-capita-by-state
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/gun-violence-data/state-gun-violence-data/montana
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/gun-violence-data/state-gun-violence-data/montana
