Gun Laws in Nevada

Subject/Law	Long guns	Handguns	Relevant statutes	Notes
State permit required to purchase?	No	No
Firearm registration?	No	No		As of June 2015, Clark County no longer requires the registration of handguns. There is now state preemption for firearm registration.[79]
Owner license required?	No	No
Permit required for concealed carry?	N/A	Yes	NRS 202§3657 - Application and PermittingNRS 202§360 - Prohibited Persons	Nevada is a "shall issue" state for concealed carry.
Permit required for open carry?	No	No	NV Constitution Article 1 Section 11 NRS 503§165 - Carrying loaded rifle or shotgun in or on vehicle on or along public way unlawful; exceptions.	Open carry is generally permitted throughout the state. For open carry in a vehicle, the firearm may be anywhere except concealed upon the person without a concealed firearm permit.[80][81] Long guns carried openly in a vehicle may not have a round chambered, but may otherwise have a loaded magazine inserted or inside them.[82]
State preemption of local restrictions?	Yes	Yes	NRS 244§364 - County of 700,000 or moreNRS 268§418 - City of 700,000 or moreNRS 269§222 - Town of 700,000 or more	Local authorities may regulate the discharge of firearms. Handgun registration in Clark County was grandfathered in, until SB175 (signed into law June 2nd, 2015) removed the authority of the county to register handguns in Nevada.[83]
Assault weapon law?	No	No
Magazine Capacity Restriction?	No	No
NFA weapons restricted?	No	No	NRS 202§275 Possession, manufacture or disposition of short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgunNRS 202§350 Manufacture, importation, possession or use of dangerous weapon or silencer18 USC §922(b)4 - Unlawful Transfer27 CFR §478.98 - Sales or deliveries of destructive devices and certain firearms.	Possession and ownership of an SBR, SBS, machine gun (selective-fire weapon), or silencer, all NFA items, are subject to federal purview and regulation.[84][85]
Background checks required for private sales?	Yes	Yes		In November 2016, Nevada voters approved Ballot Question 1, changing the law to require background checks for private sales.[86] Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt opined that the law is unenforceable.[87][88] A revised version was signed into law on February 15, 2019 to fix the deficiencies of Question 1. The law is set to go into effect in January 2020.[89][90] Some local counties have adopted Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions in opposition.[91]
Red flag law?	Yes	Yes		Police may confiscate firearms from those considered a threat.[92]

Understanding Gun Laws in Nevada

In the United States, gun laws vary from state to state. Today, we'll be focusing on the gun laws in Nevada. Understanding these laws is crucial for both residents and visitors who wish to carry or purchase firearms in the state.

Permits and Registration

In Nevada, you do not need a state permit to purchase either long guns or handguns. Similarly, there is no requirement for firearm registration. This means that you can buy and own a firearm without having to register it with the state. This law changed in June 2015, when Clark County stopped requiring the registration of handguns. Now, there is state preemption for firearm registration.

Concealed Carry and Open Carry

When it comes to carrying firearms, Nevada has different rules for concealed carry and open carry. If you wish to carry a handgun concealed, you will need a permit. Nevada is a "shall issue" state for concealed carry, which means that the local authorities must issue a concealed carry permit if the applicant meets certain qualifications.

On the other hand, open carry is generally permitted throughout the state without a permit. This applies to both long guns and handguns. However, if you are carrying a firearm openly in a vehicle, it cannot be concealed on your person unless you have a concealed firearm permit. Additionally, long guns carried openly in a vehicle may not have a round chambered, although they may have a loaded magazine inserted or inside them.

Local Restrictions and Assault Weapons

Nevada has state preemption of local restrictions. This means that local authorities cannot impose their own restrictions on firearms. They can, however, regulate the discharge of firearms. There are no specific laws in Nevada regarding assault weapons, and there are no restrictions on magazine capacity.

NFA Weapons

NFA (National Firearms Act) weapons are not restricted in Nevada. These include short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), machine guns (selective-fire weapons), and silencers. However, possession and ownership of these items are subject to federal regulation.

Private Sales and Background Checks

Private sales of firearms in Nevada require background checks. This law was changed in November 2016 when Nevada voters approved Ballot Question 1. However, there was controversy over the enforceability of this law, and a revised version was signed into law in February 2019. This revised law is set to go into effect in January 2020. Some local counties have adopted Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions in opposition to this law.

Red Flag Law

Nevada has a red flag law, which allows police to confiscate firearms from individuals who are considered a threat. This law is designed to prevent potential incidents of gun violence by temporarily removing firearms from individuals who are deemed to be at high risk of harming themselves or others.

In conclusion, Nevada's gun laws are relatively permissive compared to other states. However, it's important to stay informed about any changes to these laws, especially if you are a gun owner or plan to become one. Always remember to handle firearms responsibly and in accordance with the law.