Nebraska Open Carry Laws

Overview

Nebraska permits open carry of firearms without a license or permit. Openly carrying a firearm is not statutorily prohibited under Nebraska law, according to the Nebraska State Patrol's official guidance on concealed handgun permits.

"Open carrying a firearm is not statutorily prohibited by Nebraska law."

• Nebraska State Patrol, CHP Frequently Asked Questions

Nebraska does not require:

• A permit or license to openly carry a firearm
• Registration of firearms
• Any state-issued credential for open carry in most public places

Minimum Age Requirement

• 18 years of age is the minimum age to openly carry a handgun in Nebraska.
• Any person under the age of 18 who possesses a handgun commits the offense of unlawful possession of a handgun under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1204.

Statewide Preemption - LB 77 (Effective September 1, 2023)

Nebraska's permitless concealed carry law, Legislative Bill 77 (LB 77), took effect on September 1, 2023. Although LB 77 is primarily known for authorizing permitless concealed carry ("constitutional carry") for adults 21 and older, it also:

• Invalidated several local gun ordinances, including those in the City of Omaha
• Ensured open carry rules apply uniformly statewide
• Removed Omaha's prior local exemption, so Omaha now must allow open carry on the same terms as the rest of Nebraska

Per the source material, "Omaha is no longer exempt from allowing open carry" and "must allow for open carry the same as the rest of the state."

Where Open Carry Is Prohibited

Even though no permit is required, open carry is not allowed everywhere. According to U.S. LawShield's Nebraska gun law database, open carry is allowed without a permit except in the following locations:

• School grounds (see Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1204.04 regarding unlawful possession of a firearm at a school)
• Certain government facilities
• Federal properties
• Places where firearms are otherwise prohibited by statute

Open Carry in Vehicles

Open carry of a handgun in a motor vehicle is generally permitted in Nebraska without a permit. Relevant statutes include:

• Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1202 - Carrying concealed weapons
• Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1202.01 - Unlawful transportation provisions
• Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2441(4) - Concealed handgun permit provisions relating to vehicles
• Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,342 and § 60-6,344 - Motor vehicle provisions

Concealed carry of a firearm in a vehicle is addressed separately under Nebraska's concealed carry statutes (see § 28-1202 and § 69-2441(4)).

Transition from Open to Concealed Carry

Because Nebraska now authorizes permitless concealed carry for qualified adults 21 and older under LB 77 (effective September 1, 2023), most adults lawfully open carrying may also conceal the same firearm without a permit. Federal and state location-based prohibitions still apply regardless of carry method.

Key Statutory References

Practical Guidance for Permit Holders

• Open carry is legal statewide without a permit for adults 18 and older.
• Concealed carry permit holders and permitless carriers alike must still observe all location-based restrictions (schools, certain government facilities, federal property).
• Because LB 77 preempted local ordinances, Omaha can no longer enforce stricter local rules that conflict with state law; open carry rules apply uniformly statewide.

Official Sources

• Nebraska State Patrol - Concealed Handgun Permits FAQ: https://statepatrol.nebraska.gov/services/concealed-handgun-permits/chp-frequently-asked-questions
• Nebraska Revised Statutes (Legislature): https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/

Information current as of 2026-04-16. Always verify current statutes with the Nebraska Legislature or the Nebraska State Patrol, as laws may change.