Nevada State Law Summary

Last updated March 3, 2011

In its publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCAV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 different firearms-related policy areas. Nevada ranked 18th out of 50 – having enacted a modest amount of gun violence prevention laws. Among other things, Nevada:

• Requires that persons subject to a domestic violence protective order surrender to law enforcement, sell or transfer any firearm in that person’s possession, custody or control;

• Submits a variety of mental health records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for use in firearm purchaser checks; 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:

• Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between private parties;

• 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.

Nevada ranks 5th among the states in number of gun deaths per capita. In 2007, 414 people died from firearm-related injuries in Nevada. In 2009, Nevada supplied the 9th highest number of crime guns to other states per capita, and the state exports more crime guns than it imports.

For details about specific firearms laws in Nevada, choose a topic below.

Overview State "Right to Bear Arms" Statistics Local Authority to Regulate Firearms
State Firearms Policies Persons 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 Immunity Statutes 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 Location Restrictions 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
State Links