· gun laws · 11 min read
Nevada Concealed Carry Firearm Laws
Nevada: Gun Laws Summary
Nevada is a shall-issue state with concealed carry permits issued at the county level.
No permit or firearms registration is required when buying a handgun from a private individual in Nevada. As of January 2, 2020, all sales are required to be conducted through a licensed federal firearms dealer with a background check, with exceptions for some temporary transfers and sales or transfers of firearms between immediate family members.
Open carry is legal in Nevada without a permit. Anyone 18 and older who can legally possess a firearm may openly carry virtually anywhere in the state. For open carry in a vehicle, the firearm may be anywhere except concealed upon the person without a concealed firearms permit. Open carry is actually legal in more places than concealed carry is. Signs on public buildings only prohibit concealed carry. Areas that are off-limits include school premises, including parking lots and wherever legislature is conducting business.
Concealed Carry in Nevada
Concealed carry is legal for residents with a Nevada Firearm permit and for non-residents with a license/permit from a state Nevada honors. To apply for a Concealed Firearm Permit, a person must be 21 (18 for military), complete an approved course in firearm safety and demonstrate competence (qualify) with any handgun. Both residents and non-residents can obtain permits. Some areas are off-limits, such as school premises, including parking lots, and inside public airports. In terms of reciprocity, Nevada recognizes permits from states that meet specific criteria and maintains the list on its website. [NRS-202.3657]
Resistance by Party About to Be Injured
Resistance sufficient to prevent the offense may be made by the party about to be injured:
- To prevent an offense against his or her person, family or some member of his or her family; or
- To prevent an illegal attempt — by force — to take or injure property in his or her lawful possession.
Resistance by Other Persons Any other person, in aid or defense of a person about to be injured, may make resistance sufficient to prevent the offense. [NRS-200.120]
Justifiable Homicide
Homicide is justified in necessary self-defense or in defense of an occupied habitation, an occupied motor vehicle, or a person against one who manifestly intends or endeavors to commit a crime of violence, or against any person or persons who manifestly intend and endeavor, in a violent, riotous, tumultuous, or surreptitious manner, to enter the occupied habitation or occupied motor vehicle of another for the purpose of assaulting or offering personal violence to any person dwelling or being within. This only applies if the person is not the original aggressor, has a right to be present at the location where deadly force is used and is not actively engaged in a criminal activity. [NRS-200.120]
“Crime of violence” means any felony for which there is a substantial risk that force or violence may be used against the person or property of another in the commission of the felony. “Motor vehicle” means every vehicle which is self-propelled. “Residence” means any house, room, apartment, tenement or other building, vehicle, vehicle trailer, semitrailer, house trailer or boat designed or intended for occupancy as a residence. [NRS-200.130]
Self-Defense
Nevada is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” law. There is no duty to retreat inside one’s home or place of work. In Nevada, the use of force for self-defense must meet certain criteria. The force used must be immediately necessary, must be in good faith and must be a reasonable response to the aggressor’s actions. [NRS-200.120]
Immunity from Civil Liability
Force which is intended or likely to cause death or bodily injury is immune from civil liability or the wrongful death of a person against whom such force was used if the use of such force was justified. [NRS-193.240, NRS-193.250, NRS-200.120, and NRS-41.095]
Nevada: Gun Laws at a Glance
| Is it legal to buy or use chemical spray/pepper spray in Nevada? | Yes, any person except for convicted felons, may possess and use tear gas aerosol spray weapons containing not more than 2 fluid ounces of crystalline powder containing ortho-chlorobenzalmalononitrile for use as an instrument of self-defense. Only adults may purchase pepper spray and sellers must record and maintain for not less than 2 years the name and address of the purchaser and the brand name, model number or type, and serial number of the weapon, if there is one. [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.375] |
| Does Nevada have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns? | No. Nevada does not have magazine capacity restrictions. |
| Does Nevada have ammunition restrictions? | Yes. The manufacture or sale of metal-penetrating bullets are prohibited. [Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 202.273] |
| Does Nevada allow constitutional carry? | No. Nevada does not allow constitutional carry. |
| Is open carry permitted in Nevada? | Yes, without a permit. Any person who is at least 18 years old and legally entitled to possess a firearm can open carry. |
| If Nevada requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm, how are those permits issued? | Nevada is a shall-issue state. |
| What is the minimum age in Nevada to get a concealed carry permit? | You must be at least 21 years old to get a concealed carry permit in Nevada. |
| Can you concealed carry weapons other than handguns in Nevada with a concealed carry permit (or under permitless carry if applicable)? | No. A Nevada concealed carry permit does not allow the carry of weapons other than handguns. |
| Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in Nevada? | Yes. Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit. |
Nevada: Carry Locations
| Can you carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in Nevada? | Yes, with a Nevada Firearm permit or a license/permit from a state Nevada honors. Without a permit, a handgun may not be concealed on your person. It must either be entirely visible or in a concealed place away from your person. In addition, although this ordinance conflicts with Nevada state law, North Las Vegas city ordinance 9.32.080 prohibits the carrying of dangerous and deadly weapons in vehicles unless carried in good faith for the purpose of “honest work, trade or business, or for the purpose of legitimate sport or recreation.” [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.3673] |
| Can you carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in Nevada? | Yes, with a Nevada Firearm permit or a license/permit from a state Nevada honors. [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.3673] |
| Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Nevada? | Yes, with a Nevada Firearm permit or a license/permit from a state Nevada honors. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Nevada. [Nev. Adm. Code § 407.105] |
| Can you carry a concealed firearm in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol in Nevada? | Yes, there is no statute making it illegal to concealed carry with a Nevada Firearm permit or a license/permit from a state Nevada honors, unless posted, and provided you are not under the influence. [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.257] |
| Can you carry or possess a firearm on hotel property in Nevada? | Nevada statutes don’t specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it’s concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information. |
| Does Nevada have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot? | Not addressed in Nevada state law. |
Nevada: Key State Laws
| Enforcement of “No Weapons” Signs | No. “No Weapons” signs are not enforced in Nevada. [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.3667] |
| Preemption of Firearms Laws | Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in Nevada, except local authorities may regulate, restrict or prohibit the discharge of firearms within its boundaries and regulate the carrying of firearms by public employees during or in the course of official duties. [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 268.418] |
| Red Flag Law | Yes, Nevada has a red flag law. The law authorizes a family or household member or a law enforcement officer to file a verified application to obtain an ex parte or extended order against a person who poses a risk of causing personal injury to himself or herself or another person. This prevents a person from possessing or having under his or her custody or control, or from purchasing or otherwise acquiring any firearm. [Nev. Rev. Stat. 33.500 thru 33.670] |
| Definition of Brandishing | No definition of brandishing was found in Nevada law. A person who willfully aims any gun, pistol, revolver or other firearm, whether loaded or not, at or toward any human being is guilty of a crime. A person having, carrying or procuring from another person any dirk, dirk-knife, sword, sword cane, pistol, gun or other deadly weapon, who, in the presence of two or more persons, draws or exhibits any of such deadly weapons in a rude, angry or threatening manner not in necessary self-defense, or who in any manner unlawfully uses that weapon in any fight or quarrel, is guilty of a crime. [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.290] [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.320] |
| Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permits | Yes. Non-resident permits are issued to anyone who qualifies. |
| Access to Concealed Carry Registry Information | No, however, the information is available for law enforcement. |
| Link Between Driver’s License and Concealed Carry Permit | Yes. Your Nevada driver’s license is linked to your Nevada concealed firearm permit. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry permit holder if they run your driver’s license. |
| Duty to Notify Law Enforcement of Carrying a Concealed Firearm | There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Nevada. Both the permit and proper identification must be presented if requested by a peace officer. [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.3667] |
| Carrying a Concealed Firearm While Using Alcohol or Drugs | Not while under the influence of alcohol (BAC of 0.08 or greater), any controlled substance, or under the combined influence of intoxicating liquor and a controlled substance. In addition, it is illegal to inhale, ingest, apply or otherwise use any chemical, poison or organic solvent, or any compound or combination of any of these, to a degree which renders you incapable of safely exercising actual physical control of a firearm. This prohibition does not apply to the actual physical possession of a firearm by a person who was within the person’s personal residence and had the firearm in his or her possession solely for self-defense. [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.257] |
Nevada: Handgun Purchase and Possession
| Does my current Nevada concealed carry permit exempt me from needing a background check when I purchase a firearm? | No, although NV permits qualify with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and firearms as alternatives to the background check requirements of the Brady law for up to 5 years from the date of issuance, the state of NV requires background checks for all firearm purchases.[NRS 202.2547] |
| Is there a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Nevada? | No. Nevada does not have a waiting period. |
| Do handguns need to be registered in Nevada? | No. Handguns do not need to be registered in Nevada. |
| What is the minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in Nevada? | The minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in Nevada is 18 years old.[Nev. Rev. Stat. 202.310] |
| Can I possess/carry a handgun in my home without a permit? | No. You cannot carry concealed without a permit at home or on your own private property. Concealed carry requires a permit anywhere in the state.[Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 202.350(1)(d)(3) & (6))] |
| Is a permit required to purchase a handgun in Nevada? | No. A permit is not required to purchase a handgun in Nevada. |
| Are there exceptions? | Yes. As of January 2, 2020, sales are required to be conducted through a licensed federal firearms dealer with a background check. There are exceptions including:* The sale or transfer of a firearm between immediate family members, which means spouses and domestic partners. Also included are, whether by whole or half blood, adoption or step-relation: parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. |
- The transfer of a firearm to an executor, administrator, trustee or personal representative of an estate or a trust that occurs by operation of law upon the death of the former owner of the firearm.
- A temporary transfer of a firearm to a person who is not prohibited from buying or possessing firearms under state or federal law if the transfer is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm or lasts only as long as immediately necessary to prevent such imminent death or great bodily harm.