State Law Background
Among other things, Nevada:
- Requires a background check for most firearm sales between private parties;1
- Requires that people subject to a domestic violence protective order relinquish their guns to law enforcement;
- Submits a variety of mental health records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for use in firearm purchaser checks;
- Provides for a court process requiring prohibited persons convicted of a crime to relinquish any firearms in their possession; and
- Provides that the Nevada Department of Public Safety may conduct a background check for a firearm transfer between private parties if a private seller so requests it for a prospective purchaser.
Nevada does not, however:
- Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles or large capacity ammunition magazines;
- License firearm owners;
- Require the registration of firearms;
- Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;
- Impose a waiting period on firearm purchases; or
- Regulate unsafe handguns.
Local governments in Nevada generally lack authority to regulate firearms and ammunition, and Nevada requires local law enforcement to issue a concealed handgun license to any applicant who meets certain basic qualifications.
In 2017, Nevada had the 14th highest gun death rate among the states. Nevada also supplied crime guns to other states at the third highest rate among the states. Nevada exported crime guns at more than three times the national rate.
Nevada Firearms Laws
For details about specific firearms laws in Nevada, choose a topic below, or see all of the firearms laws in this state.
People Prohibited from Firearm Possession
Prohibited Purchasers Generally
Minimum Age to Purchase & Possess
Domestic Violence & Firearms
Disarming Prohibited Persons
Sales & Transfers
Background Checks
Mental Health Reporting
Multiple Purchases & Sales of Firearms
Retention of Sales & Background Check Records
Waiting Periods
Gun Dealers & Other Sellers
Dealer Regulations
Private Sales
Gun Shows
Gun Owner Responsibilities
Licensing of Gun Owners & Purchasers
Registration of Firearms
Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms
Firearms in Public Places
Concealed Weapons Permitting
Open Carrying
Guns in Vehicles
Guns in Schools
Other Location Restrictions
Consumer & Child Safety
Design Safety Standards for Handguns
Locking Devices
Personalized & Owner-Authorized Firearms
Child Access Prevention
Classes of Weapons & Ammunition
Assault Weapons
Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines
Fifty Caliber Rifles
Machine Guns & Automatic Firearms
Non-Powder Guns
Ammunition Regulation
Investigating Gun Crimes
Microstamping & Ballistic Identification
Trafficking
Other Laws
State “Right to Bear Arms”
Local Authority to Regulate Firearms
Immunity Statutes
Notes
- Effective January 2, 2020. ⤴︎