Published by Whether you are a resident or a visitor, understanding open carry laws is essential to avoid legal trouble.
Nevada has relatively permissive gun laws, but there are key rules, restrictions, and penalties you should be aware of.
This guide covers everything you need to know about open carry in Las Vegas.
Table Of Contents
What is Open Carry in Las Vegas?
According to SCLG, open carry involves visibly wearing a firearm on your person [1].
In Nevada, this is legal without a permit for those who are lawfully allowed to possess firearms.
Ways to Open Carry Legally
You can legally open carry in several ways:
- Wearing a handgun in a holster on your belt
- Carrying a rifle slung over your shoulder
- Using an inside-the-waistband holster with the grip exposed (Virginia Tuck)
- Placing a firearm in the waistband without a holster (Mexican Carry)
Important Note:
A firearm is considered openly carried as long as it is visible through casual observation.
Open Carry vs. Concealed Carry
While open carry is legal without a permit, carrying a concealed firearm requires a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit in Nevada. Concealment means the firearm is hidden from plain view, such as inside a bag or under clothing.
Key Differences:
- Open carry: The firearm is visible and does not require a permit.
- Concealed carry: The firearm is hidden and requires a permit.
Storing a firearm in a glove compartment is not considered concealed carry under Nevada law.
Openly carrying firearms is legal in Nevada unless otherwise prohibited by state or federal law. Note that people with felony convictions (convicted felons), domestic violence convictions, or certain protection orders against them may not carry guns at all. Hopeful gun owners must pass background checks to buy a gun commercially or through a private sale – SCLG
It’s also legal to openly carry loaded firearms in Nevada. The visibility rules for open carry apply strictly to the firearms themselves, not to magazines or other accessories, which do not need to be visible.
Also Read: Nevada Open Carry for Non-Residents
Who Can Legally Open Carry in Nevada?
Open carry is allowed for:
- Adults 18 years or older (21 to purchase a handgun from a dealer)
The following individuals cannot carry firearms under state and federal law:
- Felons (anyone convicted of a felony)
- Domestic violence offenders
- Individuals under restraining orders
- Illegal immigrants
- Individuals with certain mental health conditions
To purchase a firearm, a background check is required, whether buying from a licensed dealer or a private seller.
Where Can’t You Carry a Handgun in Nevada?
According to Las Vegas Advisor, in Nevada, carrying firearms (whether openly or concealed) is prohibited on the premises of public schools, colleges, universities, or child-care facilities, including their parking areas, unless authorized in writing by the institution’s president, principal, or facility head [2].
Restricted Locations:
- Public schools and childcare facilities, including parking lots
- Colleges and universities, unless written approval is granted
- State legislative buildings
- Federal properties such as courthouses, Social Security offices, military bases, VA hospitals, and cemeteries
- Hoover Dam (strict no-firearms policy)
- Red Rock National Conservation Area (no loaded firearms)
Private Property and Businesses
In Nevada, businesses can prohibit firearms, but “No Guns” signs do not carry legal weight. However, if a business asks you to leave or disarm and you refuse, you could be charged with trespassing.
Businesses that discourage open carry include:
- Sprouts
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Ethel M Chocolates
- Red Robin
- Raising Canes
- Most shopping malls
- Most casinos
Casinos have some of the strictest firearm policies. While open carry is not explicitly illegal inside casinos, most prohibit firearms, and security may ask you to leave.
Private-property owners can and do prohibit open carry and most gun owners respect the right to private property (in the same way that they respect the right to bear arms). The ones who have a problem with being unarmed in places that don’t allow open carry simply don’t frequent them – Las Vegas Advisor
In Las Vegas, several private businesses are known to discourage open carry. These include but are not limited to Sprouts, Buffalo Wild Wings, Ethel M Chocolates, Red Robin, Raising Canes, most shopping malls, and most casinos.
Also Read: Carrying a Concealed Weapon Las Vegas
Can Tourists Open Carry in Las Vegas?
Visitors can open carry in Las Vegas as long as they meet legal requirements. Residency is not required.
- No permit is needed to open carry
- Restricted locations still apply
- Many hotels and casinos do not allow firearms
If you plan to carry a firearm in Las Vegas, check hotel and casino policies in advance. Some properties provide secure firearm storage for guests.
Penalties for Gun Crimes in Nevada
Even without committing a violent crime, unlawful possession of a firearm carries substantial penalties. Possessing a firearm in a location where it’s prohibited by Nevada law is considered a misdemeanor, with potential consequences including
:
- Up to 6 months in jail,
- Fines up to $1,000,
- Possible community service.
Certain individuals found in possession of a firearm face even harsher penalties. For example
:
- A felon, fugitive, or drug addict possessing a firearm is guilty of a Category B felony, punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison and potential fines.
- Illegal immigrants or individuals diagnosed with certain mental illnesses possessing a firearm face a Category D felony, which can lead to 1 to 4 years in prison and fines up to $5,000.
- Violating a restraining order by possessing a gun is classified as a gross misdemeanor, potentially resulting in up to 364 days in jail and fines up to $2,000.
Related Article: Nevada Felon: Can You Own a Crossbow
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FAQs
Do I need a permit to open carry in Las Vegas?
No, you do not need a permit to open carry a firearm in Las Vegas. Nevada law allows individuals to openly carry firearms without a permit, as long as they are legally allowed to possess a firearm.
Are there restrictions on the types of firearms that can be open carried in Las Vegas?
Yes, while open carry is generally allowed, certain types of firearms may be restricted. For example, fully automatic firearms, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns are heavily regulated under both state and federal law and typically require special permits.
What are the age requirements for open carry in Las Vegas?
In Nevada, you must be at least 18 years old to open carry a firearm. However, you must be 21 years old to purchase a handgun from a federally licensed dealer or to obtain a concealed carry permit.
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References:
1. https://www.shouselaw.com/nv/defense/laws/gun-laws/open-carry/#1
2. https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/faq-general-open-carry/