Can I Bring My Gun to Nevada? Out-of-State Gun Law Explained

Nevada Gun Laws: An Overview

According to GMLG, Nevada is an open-carry state, allowing firearm owners to display their guns in public without a permit [1]. However, concealed carry requires a permit under “shall-issue” rules. No state permit is required to purchase firearms, pending the results of a background check, and there are no state regulations on most long arms or magazine capacity.

Take note that Nevada has complete preemption of most local firearm laws. That means that it is illegal for local government units down to the town level to enact tougher gun regulations than what is listed in the NRS

However, local ordinances may regulate firearm discharging within their jurisdictions under certain circumstances. Federal laws can also override state and local rules, such as regulations on grandfathered weapons under the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Rules for Out-of-State Visitors

Nevada’s firearm laws apply equally to out-of-state visitors. Visitors can purchase firearms in Nevada, provided they pass a background check, but must follow their home state’s firearms purchasing process to bring the gun home. Minimum age rules for gun ownership and usage also apply, with specific considerations for hunting.

Concealed carry rules apply to both residents and visitors. Out-of-state visitors must have a concealed carry weapon (CCW) permit from their home state, which must have a reciprocal agreement with Nevada.

States with CCW reciprocity with Nevada include:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Idaho (Enhanced Permits)
• Illinois
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi (Enhanced Permits)
• Montana
• New Mexico
• North Dakota (Class 1 only)
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• South Carolina
• South Dakota (Enhanced Permits)
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah (both types of permits)
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Restrictions on Firearm Ownership in Nevada

According to Defenders, in Nevada, certain individuals may be restricted or entirely prohibited from carrying or owning firearms, regardless of their residency status [2].

These groups include:

• Convicted felons
• Convicted stalkers
• Fugitives
• Individuals convicted of domestic violence
• Those addicted to controlled substances
• Subjects of domestic violence protection orders
• Individuals adjudicated as mentally ill
• Illegal aliens

Possession of a firearm by a fugitive or ex-felon is classified as a category B felony, carrying penalties of:

• 1-6 years in prison
• Fines up to $5,000, at the judge’s discretion

Gun-Free Zones in Nevada

While open carry of firearms is generally allowed in Nevada, certain locations prohibit firearms, whether open or concealed.

These include:

• Childcare facilities (without written permission)
• Schools (without written permission)
• Nevada System of Higher Education property (without written permission)
• Federal facilities
• Military bases (with some exceptions)
• Planes and airports (past secure areas)
• Post offices
• VA facilities
• Legislative buildings
• Hoover Dam

Adhering to these regulations is crucial for legal firearm ownership and use in Nevada.

Nevada Open Carry Laws

According to SCLG, in Nevada, both residents and non-residents are permitted to “open carry” firearms with certain limitations [3].

Open carry means that the firearm is “discernible by ordinary observation,” which can include:

• A holstered handgun on a belt
• A rifle carried with a sling
• The “Virginia Tuck,” where an inside-the-waistband holster leaves the pistol butt visible
• The “Mexican Carry,” where the gun is tucked into the waistband without a holster

However, covering a firearm with a jacket or other clothing does not qualify as open carry. Adhering to these guidelines ensures compliance with Nevada’s open carry laws.

What are the Penalties for Firearms Crimes in Nevada?

1. Shooting Firearms
Shooting a firearm from inside a vehicle or structure in a wanton or malicious manner in a populated area is classified as a category B felony, carrying:

• 2 to 15 years in prison, and/or
• Up to $5,000 in fines

Discharging a firearm in an unpopulated area is considered a misdemeanor, carrying:

• Up to 6 months in jail, and/or
• Up to $1,000 in fines

The same penalties apply for firing a gun into an abandoned vehicle or structure.

However, if the vehicle or building is occupied, it is a category B felony, carrying:

• 1 to 6 years in prison, and/or
• Up to $5,000 in fines

2. Aiming or Drawing Firearms
Assaulting someone with a gun is a category B felony, carrying:

• 1 to 6 years in prison, and/or
• Up to $5,000 in fines

Aiming a gun at a person is a gross misdemeanor, carrying:

• Up to 364 days in jail, and/or
• Up to $2,000 in fines

Brandishing a gun in a threatening manner is a misdemeanor, carrying:

• Up to 6 months in jail, and/or
• Up to $1,000 in fines

3. Possessing, Making, and Selling Guns and Ammo
Selling or giving a firearm to a fugitive, illegal alien, mentally ill person, felon, or person indicted for a felony is a category C felony, carrying:

• 1 to 10 years in prison, and
• Up to $10,000 in fines

Knowingly possessing, making, or disposing of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun is a category D felony, carrying:

• 1 to 4 years in prison, and
• Up to $5,000 in fines

Making or selling metal-penetrating bullets for shotguns is a gross misdemeanor, carrying:

• Up to 364 days in jail, and/or
• Up to $2,000 in fines

4. Firearm Serial Numbers and Theft
Intentionally altering a firearm’s serial number is a category C felony, carrying:

• 1 to 5 years in prison, and
• Up to $10,000 in fines

Knowingly possessing a firearm with an altered serial number is a category D felony, carrying:

• 1 to 4 years in prison, and
• Up to $5,000 in fines

Stealing a firearm is a category B felony, carrying:

• 1 to 10 years in prison,
• Up to $10,000 in fines, and
• Victim restitution

Related Articles:

• Open Carry in Las Vegas?
• Nevada Open Carry for Non-Residents
• Nevada Felon: Can You Own a Crossbow?

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References:

1. https://www.goodmanlawgroup.com/blog/2022/january/firearm-rules-for-out-of-state-visitors-in-nevad/
2. https://thedefenders.net/blogs/nevada-gun-laws-and-out-of-state-visitors/
3. https://www.shouselaw.com/nv/blog/gun-laws/nevada-out-of-state-guns/