In 2019, Nevada enacted an extreme risk protection order law, trigger activator ban, and child access prevention law as part of a bill introduced by Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui, a survivor of the Las Vegas Route 91 shooting. In 2017, Nevada had the 14th-highest gun death rate in the country and exported crime guns at the third-highest rate. To further improve the state’s gun laws, legislators could prohibit all domestic abusers from purchasing or possessing firearms and ammunition and require a waiting period before all gun sales.

State Law Background

Among other things, Nevada:

  • Requires a background check for most firearm sales between private parties;
  • 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:

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.