Nevada CFP Guide

Nevada's concealed firearm permit is issued by a county sheriff, not by a state agency. The statutory family runs from NRS 202.3653 through NRS 202.369, and NRS 202.3657 is the statute that decides who qualifies, who is disqualified, and when a sheriff must take a permit back.

What the permit is and what it covers

NRS 202.3653 defines a "concealed firearm" as a loaded or unloaded handgun carried upon a person in such a manner as not to be discernible by ordinary observation. "Handgun" takes the federal meaning in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(30), a firearm with a short stock designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand, plus any combination of parts from which such a firearm can be assembled. "Department" means the Department of Public Safety.

Those definitions set the outer edge of the permit. It is a handgun permit. NRS 202.350(1)(d) makes it unlawful to carry concealed upon the person an explosive substance other than ammunition or its components, a machete, or a pistol, revolver, other firearm, other dangerous or deadly weapon or pneumatic gun, except as otherwise provided in that section and in NRS 202.3653 to 202.369. Under NRS 202.350(2)(b), concealed carry of a pistol, revolver or other firearm is a category C felony, punished as provided in NRS 193.130. The permit is what lifts a handgun out of that prohibition.

Some people sit outside NRS 202.350 entirely. Under NRS 202.350(4), and except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, the section does not apply to sheriffs, constables, marshals, peace officers, correctional officers employed by the Department of Corrections, special police officers, police officers of this State whether active or honorably retired, or other appointed officers; to a person summoned by a peace officer to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace while actually engaged in assisting that officer; to a full-time paid peace officer of an agency of the United States or another state or political subdivision thereof when carrying out official duties in the State of Nevada; or to members of the Armed Forces of the United States when on duty. NRS 202.350(5) narrows that: the exemptions do not include a former peace officer who is retired for disability unless his or her former employer has approved his or her fitness to carry a concealed weapon.

A different permit in the same chapter is easy to confuse with this one. NRS 202.350(3) lets a sheriff issue a permit for a described concealed weapon, but that subsection states it does not authorize a permit to carry a pistol, revolver or other firearm.

Residency and the nonresident question

Nevada does not limit permits to its own residents. Under NRS 202.3657(1), a resident of this State applies to the sheriff of the county in which he or she resides, and a person who is not a resident may apply to the sheriff of any county in this State. The application contents in NRS 202.3657(7) track that split: a resident supplies the driver's license or identification card number issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles under paragraph (d), and a nonresident supplies the number issued by another state or jurisdiction under paragraph (e).

Moving to Nevada while holding another state's permit starts a clock. Under NRS 202.3688(2), a person carrying on a permit from a state on the Department's recognition list may not carry a concealed firearm in Nevada if the person becomes a resident and has not been issued a permit by the sheriff of the county in which he or she resides within 60 days after becoming a resident.

NRS 202.3689(1) sets what puts a state on that list. On or before July 1 of each year, the Department determines under paragraph (a) whether each state requires a person to complete any training, class or program before the issuance of a permit to carry a concealed firearm in that state, and under paragraph (b) whether each state has an electronic database which identifies each individual who possesses a valid permit issued by that state and which a law enforcement officer in this State may access at all times through a national law enforcement telecommunications system. The list is the states that meet both.

Minimum age

NRS 202.3657(3)(a) sets two doors. The general threshold is 21 years of age or older. A person at least 18 years of age but less than 21 may qualify if the person is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, a reserve component thereof or the National Guard, or was discharged or released from that service under honorable conditions. NRS 202.3657(7)(f) requires proof of that status: a current military identification card for a current member, or for a person discharged or released under honorable conditions, a DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," or other document of honorable separation issued by the United States Department of Defense.

The issuance standard

NRS 202.3657(3) is written in mandatory terms. Except as otherwise provided in that section, the sheriff shall issue a permit to any person who is qualified to possess a handgun under state and federal law, who submits an application in accordance with the section, and who meets the age requirement, is not prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to NRS 202.360, and demonstrates competence with handguns.

Competence is shown under NRS 202.3657(3)(c) by a certificate or other documentation showing completion of a course in firearm safety approved by a sheriff in this State, or a course offered by a federal, state or local law enforcement agency, community college, university or national organization that certifies instructors in firearm safety.

One application, one permit, every handgun

NRS 202.3657(2) governs the scope of the permit. A person applying may submit one application and obtain one permit to carry all handguns owned by the person, and the statute states that the person must not be required to list and identify each handgun owned on the application. A permit is valid for any handgun which is owned or thereafter obtained by the person to whom it is issued, so a handgun bought later is covered without any further filing.

Grounds the sheriff must act on

NRS 202.3657(4) lists the grounds on which the sheriff shall deny an application or revoke a permit. The same list does both jobs, so a condition that would have blocked issuance also ends an existing permit. The sheriff must act if the applicant or permittee:

• Has an outstanding warrant for his or her arrest.
• Has been judicially declared incompetent or insane.
• Has been voluntarily or involuntarily admitted to a mental health facility during the immediately preceding 5 years.
• Has habitually used intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance to the extent that his or her normal faculties are impaired. The statute presumes such use if, during the immediately preceding 5 years, the person was convicted of violating NRS 484C.110 or participated in a program of treatment pursuant to NRS 176A.230 to 176A.245.
• Has been convicted of a crime involving the use or threatened use of force or violence punishable as a misdemeanor under the laws of this or any other state, territory or possession of the United States, at any time during the immediately preceding 3 years.
• Has been convicted of a felony in this State or under the laws of any state, territory or possession of the United States.
• Has been convicted of a crime involving domestic violence or stalking, or is currently subject to a restraining order, injunction or other order for protection against domestic violence.
• Is currently subject to an emergency or extended order for protection against high-risk behavior issued pursuant to NRS 33.570 or NRS 33.580.
• Is currently on parole or probation from a conviction obtained in this or any other state, territory or possession of the United States.
• Has, within the immediately preceding 5 years, been subject to requirements imposed by a court of this State or of any other state, territory or possession of the United States as a condition to withholding the entry of judgment for a felony conviction, or suspending sentence for a felony conviction.
• Has made a false statement on any application for a permit or for the renewal of a permit.
• Has been discharged or released from service in the Armed Forces, a reserve component thereof or the National Guard under conditions other than honorable conditions and is less than 21 years of age.

The two protective orders in that list carry different burdens of proof. Both require findings that the person poses a risk of self-inflicted injury or personal injury to another by possessing, controlling, purchasing or otherwise acquiring any firearm, engaged in high-risk behavior, and that less restrictive options have been exhausted or are not effective. NRS 33.570 requires a preponderance of the evidence and an imminent risk for an emergency order. NRS 33.580 requires clear and convincing evidence for an extended order.

Discretionary denial on a sworn affidavit

NRS 202.3657(5) adds a permissive ground. The sheriff may deny an application or revoke a permit on receiving a sworn affidavit stating articulable facts based upon personal knowledge, from any natural person 18 years of age or older, that the applicant or permittee has or may have committed an offense or engaged in any other activity specified in subsection 4.

Suspension while charges are pending

Under NRS 202.3657(6), if the sheriff receives notification from a court or law enforcement agency that a permittee or applicant has been charged with a crime involving the use or threatened use of force or violence, the conviction for which would require revocation or preclude issuance, the sheriff shall suspend the permit or the processing of the application until final disposition of the charges. If the permittee is acquitted, or the charges are dropped, the sheriff shall restore the permit without imposing a fee. NRS 202.3665 requires the sheriff to notify any victim of a suspension, resumption, denial, restoration or revocation taken on that basis, not later than 10 days after the action.

Underlying possession bars, state and federal

Eligibility rests on being qualified to possess a handgun under both bodies of law, so the possession bars apply directly. NRS 202.360(1) prohibits owning or possessing a firearm for a person convicted of battery constituting domestic violence under NRS 200.485, or a law of any other jurisdiction that prohibits the same or substantially similar conduct, committed against a listed family or dating relation, convicted of a felony in this State or any other state, or in any political subdivision thereof, or of a federal felony unless pardoned without a firearms restriction, convicted of a violation of NRS 200.575 or a law of any other state that prohibits the same or substantially similar conduct with the finding described in subsection 7 of that section, currently subject, except as otherwise provided in NRS 33.031, to an extended order for protection against domestic violence containing a firearms prohibition or an equivalent order in another state, a fugitive from justice, an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance, or otherwise prohibited by federal law. A violation is a category B felony, punished by imprisonment for a minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 6 years, and may be further punished by a fine of not more than $5,000.

NRS 202.360(2) reaches a person adjudicated as mentally ill or committed to a mental health facility by a court of this State, another state or the United States, a person who entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill, was found guilty but mentally ill, or was acquitted by reason of insanity, and a person illegally or unlawfully in the United States. A violation is a category D felony punished as provided in NRS 193.130.

Federal law adds its own categories, and NRS 202.360(1)(g) folds them back into state law. Under 18 U.S.C. 922(g), it is unlawful to possess in or affecting commerce, or to ship, transport or receive in interstate or foreign commerce, any firearm or ammunition, for a person convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, a fugitive from justice, an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance as defined in 21 U.S.C. 802, a person adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution, an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States or, except as provided in 18 U.S.C. 922(y)(2), an alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa, a person discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions, a person who has renounced United States citizenship, a person subject to a qualifying court order meeting the requirements in paragraph (8), and a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Investigation, decision deadline, and validity period

NRS 202.366(1) requires the sheriff to investigate every application, including a renewal under NRS 202.3677, and to forward a complete set of the applicant's fingerprints to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its criminal history report. The investigation must also include a report from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Under NRS 202.366(3), within 120 days after a complete application is submitted, the sheriff shall grant or deny it, and a denial requires written notification setting forth the reasons.

NRS 202.366(4) sets the term. Unless suspended or revoked by the sheriff who issued it, a permit expires 5 years after the date on which it is issued. Renewal runs through NRS 202.3677, which requires an application to the issuing sheriff, a fresh investigation under NRS 202.366, and demonstrated continued competence with handguns by completing a course prescribed by the renewing sheriff. NRS 202.3687(1) adds that nothing in NRS 202.3653 to 202.369 prohibits a sheriff from issuing a temporary permit, which may specify the period for which it is valid.

Appeal path after a denial

NRS 202.3663 supplies the review route. If an application is denied by a sheriff, the applicant may seek judicial review by filing a petition in the district court for the county in which the applicant filed the application. The statute limits that review to whether the denial was arbitrary, capricious or otherwise characterized by an abuse of discretion, and directs that it follow the procedures in chapter 233B of NRS for reviewing a final decision of an agency. NRS 202.3663 is written in terms of a denied application. If a permit is revoked rather than denied, ask the issuing sheriff's office what review process it applies before any deadline runs.

Certification for a retired law enforcement officer

A separate path sits inside the same permit family. Under NRS 202.3678(1), a retired law enforcement officer who is a resident of this State may apply, on a form prescribed by regulation of the Department, to the sheriff of the county in which he or she resides for any certification required pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 926C(d) to become a qualified retired law enforcement officer, and the sheriff of each county must provide application forms on request. NRS 202.3678(2) requires a law enforcement agency in this State to offer an officer who retired from that agency the opportunity to obtain the firearms qualification necessary for the certification at least twice per year, at the same facility where the agency trains its active officers. Under NRS 202.3678(3), the sheriff shall provide the certification to a retired officer who submits a completed application and pays any required fee if the sheriff determines that the officer meets the standards for training and qualifications.

Duties and records

NRS 202.3667(1) requires each permittee to carry the permit, or a duplicate issued under NRS 202.367, together with proper identification whenever in actual possession of a concealed firearm, and to present both if requested by a peace officer. NRS 202.3667(2) makes a permittee who violates that section subject to a civil penalty of $25 for each violation. NRS 202.367(1) requires written notice to the issuing sheriff within 30 days if the permittee's permanent address changes or the permit is lost, stolen or destroyed, and NRS 202.367(4) subjects a permittee who fails to notify the sheriff to a civil penalty of $25.

Under NRS 202.3662, the application and the information in it, information obtained by a sheriff while investigating an applicant or permittee, the identity of the permittee, and records regarding suspension, restoration or revocation are confidential, subject to that section, NRS 202.3665 and NRS 239.0115.

The sheriff who receives the application is also the office that investigates it and later grants, denies, suspends or revokes. Confirm current forms, appointment procedures and fee amounts with that sheriff's office before applying. The Department of Public Safety publishes the out-of-state recognition list described in NRS 202.3689 and may adopt regulations under NRS 202.369.

Constitutional Carry in Nevada

The Headline

Nevada is not a constitutional carry state. Carrying a concealed handgun in public without a valid Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP) is a felony under NRS 202.350(2)(c). Nevada law does, however, permit open carry of a firearm without any permit, which functionally provides for unlicensed carry in unconcealed form (see OPEN_CARRY).

The Nevada Legislature has considered constitutional carry bills in multiple sessions; as of May 2026, none has been enacted. The most recent attempts (AB 233 in 2025 and AB 138 in 2023) failed in committee.

What "constitutional carry" means

Constitutional carry (also called "permitless carry") is a statutory regime under which an adult who is not a prohibited person may carry a concealed handgun in public without first obtaining a state-issued permit. As of May 2026, approximately 29 states have enacted permitless carry in some form (most recently Louisiana in 2024 and South Carolina in 2024). Nevada is not on that list.

A small number of states (Vermont and at points historically Alaska before 2003) recognized permitless carry by judicial doctrine or constitutional construction without explicit statutory provision. Nevada falls into neither category: NRS 202.350 categorically criminalizes concealed carry without a permit, and Nevada courts have consistently upheld the statute.

State constitutional context

The Nevada Constitution recognizes the right to keep and bear arms at Nev. Const. art. I, Section 11(1): "Every citizen has the right to keep and bear arms for security and defense, for lawful hunting and recreational use and for other lawful purposes." The Nevada Supreme Court has interpreted this provision as conferring an individual right, but has consistently held that the right is subject to reasonable regulation, including the permit requirement for concealed carry.

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022) invalidated New York's discretionary "good cause" requirement for concealed-carry licensing but left intact state authority to require a permit on objective, shall-issue criteria. Nevada's CFP framework is shall-issue under NRS 202.3657 and post-Bruen has not been the subject of successful Second Amendment challenge.

What this means for the carrier

Without a CFP, a person in Nevada may:

• Openly carry a handgun or long gun if 18 or older, not a prohibited person, and not in a prohibited place. See OPEN_CARRY.
• Carry concealed in the carrier's own home or place of business without a permit, under the common-law and statutory recognition that NRS 202.350's "in public" reach does not extend to a person's own dwelling or place of business (see NRS 202.350(3)(a)).
• Carry under a valid out-of-state CCW if Nevada recognizes that state's permit under NRS 202.3688 (see RECIPROCITY).
• Carry under federal LEOSA if qualified active or retired law enforcement under 18 U.S.C. Section 926C.

Without a CFP or one of the above exceptions, the person may not carry a concealed firearm on or about the person in any public place, vehicle on a public street, or any other location where the person does not have the constitutional or statutory exception above.

Penalty for unlicensed concealed carry

Under NRS 202.350(2)(c):

• First offense: Category C felony - 1 to 5 years state prison, fine up to $10,000.
• Second or subsequent: Category B felony - 1 to 6 years prison, fine up to $5,000.

There is no statutory misdemeanor tier for concealed-carry-without-permit; the first violation is a felony.

Recent and pending legislation

Nevada constitutional-carry bills in recent sessions:

• AB 233 (2025) - Would have repealed NRS 202.350(2)(c) and made the CFP optional. Died in committee.
• AB 138 (2023) - Similar repeal proposal. Died in committee.
• AB 137 (2021) - Similar proposal in earlier session. Did not advance.

Constitutional-carry advocacy continues in Nevada through the Nevada Firearms Coalition and national groups (NRA-ILA, GOA). None of the proposals has passed either chamber.

Out-of-state reciprocity does not equal constitutional carry

A common misconception: a person from a constitutional-carry state (e.g., Arizona, Idaho, Utah) does not receive constitutional-carry treatment in Nevada. Such a person, if they hold no permit at all, may not carry concealed in Nevada. If they hold a permit from a Nevada-recognized reciprocity state, they may carry concealed under the reciprocity provisions of NRS 202.3688 (see RECIPROCITY).

Reciprocity is a permit-to-permit recognition. It does not extend to states that have abolished the permit; carriers from those states should obtain a non-resident Nevada CFP or a permit from a third state that Nevada recognizes (e.g., Florida non-resident, Arizona non-resident, or Utah non-resident, which Nevada has historically recognized).

Federal floor unchanged

The Gun Control Act (18 U.S.C. Section 921 et seq.) and the Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. Section 922(q)) apply in Nevada regardless of any state constitutional-carry rule. A Nevada CFP holder gets the section 922(q)(2)(B)(ii) exemption (state-licensed permittee); a person openly carrying without any permit does not get that exemption and may not knowingly be within 1,000 feet of a school zone while in possession of a firearm.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.350 - Carrying concealed without a permit (felony).
• NRS 202.350(3)(a) - Exception for one's own home or place of business.
• NRS 202.3657 - Shall-issue CFP framework.
• NRS 202.3688 - Out-of-state permit reciprocity.
• Nev. Const. art. I, Section 11(1) - Right to keep and bear arms.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q) - Gun-Free School Zones Act.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926C - LEOSA.
• New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022) - Federal constitutional baseline for shall-issue carry licensing.

See OPEN_CARRY for what unlicensed open carry permits, CONCEALED_CARRY for permit-based concealed carry, RECIPROCITY for honoring out-of-state permits, and PERMIT_BASICS for the CFP application path.

The baseline rule: carrying concealed is an offense unless a permit statute applies

Nevada's concealed carry framework starts from a prohibition, not a permission. NRS 202.350 provides that, except as otherwise provided in that section and in NRS 202.3653 to 202.369, inclusive, a person within this State shall not carry concealed upon his or her person any explosive substance other than ammunition or any components thereof, any machete, or any "Pistol, revolver or other firearm, other dangerous or deadly weapon or pneumatic gun."

The permit statutes at NRS 202.3653 to 202.369 are the exception that covers the ordinary case for handguns. Without one of those exceptions, carrying a concealed pistol, revolver or other firearm is charged under NRS 202.350(2)(b), which makes a violation of subparagraph (3) of paragraph (d) of subsection 1 a category C felony, punished as provided in NRS 193.130. The same category C grading applies to concealed carry of an explosive substance and to the machine gun and silencer prohibitions in paragraph (b) of subsection 1. The machete is graded differently: under NRS 202.350(2)(a), carrying a concealed machete is a gross misdemeanor for the first offense and a category D felony for any subsequent offense. Every one of those gradings opens with a qualifier. NRS 202.350(2) begins "Except as otherwise provided in NRS 202.275 and 212.185," so those two sections govern where they apply.

"Concealed weapon" is defined in NRS 202.350(8)(a) as a weapon described in that section "that is carried upon a person in such a manner as not to be discernible by ordinary observation." NRS 202.3653(1) uses a parallel definition for the permit statutes, defining "concealed firearm" as a loaded or unloaded handgun carried that way. So loaded and unloaded handguns are treated the same for permit purposes, and the test turns on discernibility by ordinary observation.

This section covers concealed carry only. The firearm prohibition in NRS 202.350 sits inside the concealed carry subparagraph. Open carry runs on different rules and is addressed in the open carry section of this guide.

NRS 202.350(3) contains its own permit provision, and it does not reach firearms. Subsection 3 authorizes a sheriff to issue a permit for the concealed weapon described in the permit, then states flatly that it "does not authorize the sheriff to issue a permit to a person to carry a pistol, revolver or other firearm." The NRS 202.350(3) permit is for non-firearm concealed weapons. The handgun permit comes from a different statute.

Who may hold a Nevada concealed firearm permit

Applications go to a sheriff, not to a state agency. Under NRS 202.3657(1), a resident applies to the sheriff of the county in which he or she resides, and a nonresident may apply to the sheriff of any county in this State, on a form prescribed by regulation of the Department of Public Safety.

NRS 202.3657(3) directs that, except as otherwise provided in that section, the sheriff shall issue a permit to any person who is qualified to possess a handgun under state and federal law, who submits a conforming application, and who meets three requirements.

The first is age. The applicant must be 21 years of age or older, or at least 18 but less than 21 if the person is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, a reserve component thereof or the National Guard, or was discharged or released from that service under honorable conditions.

The second is that the applicant is not prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to NRS 202.360, which independently bars possession by, among others, a person convicted of a felony, a person convicted of battery constituting domestic violence under NRS 200.485 against a listed family or household member, a fugitive from justice, and an unlawful user of or person addicted to any controlled substance. A violation of NRS 202.360(1) is a category B felony punishable by a minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 6 years, plus a possible fine of not more than $5,000.

The third is demonstrated competence with handguns. NRS 202.3657(3)(c) requires documentation showing the applicant completed a course in firearm safety approved by a sheriff in this State, or one offered by a law enforcement agency, community college, university, or national organization that certifies instructors in firearm safety. The statute specifies content: the course "must include instruction in the use of handguns and in the laws of this State relating to the use of a firearm."

NRS 202.3657(4) separately lists grounds on which the sheriff shall deny an application or revoke a permit, among them an outstanding arrest warrant, a felony conviction, a misdemeanor conviction for a crime involving the use or threatened use of force or violence within the immediately preceding 3 years, and a conviction for a crime involving domestic violence or stalking. The permit basics section of this guide walks the full list.

One permit, every handgun you own

NRS 202.3657(2) reads that a person applying for a permit "may submit one application and obtain one permit to carry all handguns owned by the person," that the person "must not be required to list and identify on the application each handgun owned by the person," and that "A permit is valid for any handgun which is owned or thereafter obtained by the person to whom the permit is issued."

That last clause matters. The permit follows the permittee, not the inventory, and a handgun acquired after the permit issues is covered without any amendment. Older material describing a Nevada permit as tied to specific listed handguns, or as requiring a separate qualification for semiautomatic pistols, does not match NRS 202.3657(2) as it now stands. That statute's history line records amendments in 2011, and the current text is what governs.

Investigation, issuance, and the life of the permit

NRS 202.366(1) requires the sheriff to investigate the applicant, forwarding a complete set of fingerprints to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and to include a report from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The sheriff shall issue the permit unless the applicant is not qualified to possess a handgun under state or federal law or is not otherwise qualified under NRS 202.3653 to 202.369.

Under NRS 202.366(3), the sheriff shall grant or deny within 120 days after a complete application is submitted, with written reasons required for a denial. Under NRS 202.366(4), a permit expires 5 years after the date of issuance unless suspended or revoked by the issuing sheriff. A denial is subject to judicial review under NRS 202.3663, and sheriffs may issue temporary permits under NRS 202.3687. On renewal, NRS 202.3677(3) bars issuance unless the permittee has demonstrated continued competence with handguns by completing a course prescribed by the renewing sheriff.

One more provision bears directly on whether a permittee may lawfully carry. Under NRS 202.3657(6), if the sheriff receives notification from a court or law enforcement agency of this or any other state, the United States, or a territory or possession of the United States that a permittee or an applicant has been charged with a crime involving the use or threatened use of force or violence, the conviction for which would require revocation or preclude issuance, the sheriff shall suspend the person's permit or the processing of the person's application until the final disposition of the charges. If the permittee is acquitted, or if the charges are dropped, the sheriff shall restore the permit without imposing a fee.

Carrying the permit and dealing with a peace officer

NRS 202.3667(1) requires each permittee to carry the permit, or a duplicate issued under NRS 202.367, together with proper identification whenever the permittee is in actual possession of a concealed firearm. The statute continues: "Both the permit and proper identification must be presented if requested by a peace officer." A violation carries a civil penalty of $25 for each violation under NRS 202.3667(2).

Read the trigger precisely. NRS 202.3667 frames the obligation as production on a peace officer's request. Whether and how you should volunteer that you are armed during a stop is treated in the duty to inform section of this guide.

Where a Nevada permit does not reach

NRS 202.3673(1) states the general grant: except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, a permittee may carry a concealed firearm while on the premises of any public building. NRS 202.3673(6)(b) defines "public building" as a building or office space occupied by any component of the Nevada System of Higher Education and used for a System purpose, or by the Federal Government, the State of Nevada, or any county, city, school district or other political subdivision and used for any public purpose. If only part of a building is so occupied, the term means only that portion.

Then come the carve-outs. Under NRS 202.3673(2), a permittee shall not carry a concealed firearm on the premises of a public building located on the property of a public airport. That prohibition has no listed exception in the section.

Under NRS 202.3673(3)(a), a permittee shall not carry a concealed firearm on the premises of a public building located on the property of a public school, a child care facility, or the Nevada System of Higher Education, unless the permittee has obtained written permission under subparagraph (3) of paragraph (a) of subsection 3 of NRS 202.265.

Under NRS 202.3673(3)(b), a permittee shall not carry a concealed firearm on the premises of a public building that has a metal detector at each public entrance, or a sign posted at each public entrance indicating that no firearms are allowed in the building. NRS 202.3673(4) carves four categories back out of that posting rule. The first is a permittee who is a judge, carrying in the courthouse or courtroom in which the judge presides, and a permittee whom that judge authorizes. Read the delegated authority as the statute writes it. It reaches a permittee "to carry a concealed firearm while in the courtroom of the judge and while traveling to and from the courtroom of the judge," so an authorized permittee is covered in that judge's courtroom and on the way in and out of it, and nowhere else. A judge's say-so does not open the rest of a posted public building, and carrying there is a misdemeanor under NRS 202.3673(5). The remaining three categories are a permittee who is a prosecuting attorney of an agency or political subdivision of the United States or of this State; a permittee employed in the public building; and a permittee with written permission from the person in control of the building. Those exceptions are written against paragraph (b) only. They do not reach the airport rule in subsection 2 or the school rule in paragraph (a).

A violation of subsection 2 or 3 is a misdemeanor under NRS 202.3673(5).

NRS 202.265 is the broader school statute, and it is not permittee-specific. A person shall not carry or possess a pistol, revolver or other firearm, along with other listed weapons, while on the property of the Nevada System of Higher Education, a private or public school or child care facility, or while in a vehicle of a school or child care facility. A violation is a gross misdemeanor under NRS 202.265(2). "Vehicle" carries the meaning ascribed to "school bus" in NRS 484A.230. The exceptions in NRS 202.265(3) are a peace officer, a school security guard, and a person having written permission from the president of a branch or facility of the Nevada System of Higher Education, the principal of the school, or the child care facility's designee.

Two constraints apply to permittees and non-permittees alike. NRS 202.257(1) makes it unlawful to have a firearm in actual physical possession while having a concentration of alcohol of 0.08 or more in blood or breath, or while under the influence of a controlled substance to a degree rendering the person incapable of safely exercising actual physical control of a firearm. That prohibition does not apply within the person's personal residence when the firearm is possessed solely for self-defense. A violation is a misdemeanor under NRS 202.257(3). And NRS 202.360 bars possession by prohibited persons regardless of any permit.

Federal overlay

N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen (2022). Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022), struck down discretionary "proper cause" and "good cause" issuance frameworks and required states to apply objective criteria when deciding who may carry a concealed handgun. Nevada was already a shall-issue state when Bruen was decided: NRS 202.3657(3) has long directed that, except as otherwise provided in that section, the sheriff "shall issue a permit" to an applicant who meets the enumerated criteria, and NRS 202.3657(4) lists the grounds that require denial rather than leaving the question to discretion. Bruen therefore did not convert Nevada's framework the way it did in the may-issue states. It matters here mainly through the historical-tradition test it set for evaluating later Second Amendment challenges, including challenges to the location restrictions in NRS 202.3673 and NRS 202.265.

The Gun-Free School Zones Act at 18 U.S.C. 922(q)(2)(A) makes it unlawful to knowingly possess a firearm that has moved in or otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce at a place the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone. The exception at 18 U.S.C. 922(q)(2)(B)(ii) applies if the individual "is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State," and that state's law requires law enforcement authorities to verify the individual's qualification before the license issues. Nevada's investigation requirement in NRS 202.366(1) is the kind of verification that provision describes. The penalty sits in 18 U.S.C. 924(a)(4): a person who violates section 922(q) "shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both," and that term of imprisonment "shall not run concurrently with any other term of imprisonment imposed under any other provision of law." The same paragraph adds that, apart from the 5 year authorization it grants, a violation of section 922(q) is deemed a misdemeanor for the purpose of any other law. Note the geographic limit: the exception speaks to a license issued by the state where the school zone sits, so a permit issued elsewhere does not fit that clause. The federal rule does not displace NRS 202.265 or NRS 202.3673.

The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act enters through NRS 202.350(7), which states that the section shall not be construed to prohibit a qualified law enforcement officer or a qualified retired law enforcement officer from carrying a concealed weapon in this State if authorized under 18 U.S.C. 926B or 926C. NRS 202.3678 provides a route for a retired officer who is a Nevada resident to apply for certification as a qualified retired law enforcement officer. That federal authority has limits: 18 U.S.C. 926B(b) does not supersede state laws permitting private persons or entities to restrict concealed firearms on their property, or restricting firearms on state or local government property, installation, building, base or park.

NRS 202.350(4) separately exempts a defined set of officers from that section entirely, including sheriffs, peace officers, police officers of this State whether active or honorably retired, and members of the Armed Forces on duty. NRS 202.350(5) withholds those exemptions from a former peace officer retired for disability unless the former employer has approved his or her fitness to carry a concealed weapon.

Out-of-state permits and local rules

NRS 202.3688(1) allows a person holding a concealed firearm permit issued by a state on the list prepared under NRS 202.3689 to carry a concealed firearm in Nevada in accordance with the requirements of NRS 202.3653 to 202.369. The carve-out in NRS 202.3688(2) catches people who move: a holder of a recognized out-of-state permit may not carry concealed in Nevada if the person becomes a Nevada resident and has not been issued a permit from the sheriff of the county of residence within 60 days after becoming a resident. Nothing in NRS 202.3688 grades that as its own offense, and none is needed. Once the recognized out-of-state permit stops authorizing carry here, a new resident who keeps carrying concealed is back under the baseline prohibition in NRS 202.350(1)(d)(3), a category C felony under NRS 202.350(2)(b), punished as provided in NRS 193.130. The reciprocity section of this guide covers how the list is built.

Local governments have little room to add to any of this. NRS 244.364 and NRS 268.418 place regulation of the carrying, possession, transfer, ownership and transportation of firearms within the exclusive domain of the Legislature and make any contrary ordinance null and void. Preemption does not override the posted-building and school rules above, which are state statutes, and it does not limit a private property owner's own rules.

Before you rely on this

Statutes are amended, sheriffs approve their own training courses, and the recognition list is rebuilt annually, on or before July 1. Verify the current text of any section cited here at the Nevada Legislature's NRS pages, and confirm application logistics with the sheriff of the county where you will apply. This is general information, not legal advice about your situation.

Open Carry in Nevada

The Headline

Nevada permits open carry of a handgun or long gun by an adult 18 or older who is not a prohibited person, without any permit and without registration. Nevada law does not directly regulate "open carry" as a distinct activity; rather, it regulates concealed carry under NRS 202.350 and leaves open (unconcealed) carry largely outside the criminal code, subject to the place-of-carry restrictions, prohibited-person rules, and federal overlays that apply to all firearm possession.

Statutory foundation

Nevada has no statute that requires a permit or license to openly carry a firearm in public. The criminal weapons statute, NRS 202.350, prohibits carrying concealed without a permit; it does not prohibit unconcealed carry. The Nevada Supreme Court and the Nevada Attorney General have long recognized that open carry is lawful absent some other applicable restriction.

The state's broad preemption statute, NRS 268.418 (incorporated firearms) and NRS 244.364 (counties), bars local jurisdictions from adopting ordinances that regulate the carrying, possession, or transportation of firearms more strictly than state law. See PREEMPTION. Local jurisdictions therefore cannot make open carry unlawful by ordinance in places where state law permits it.

Who may openly carry

A person may openly carry a firearm in Nevada if they:

• Are at least 18 years of age (the minimum age for general possession of a firearm under NRS 202.310 and federal 18 U.S.C. Section 922(x));
• Are not a prohibited person under NRS 202.360 (Nevada prohibitor) or 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) (federal prohibitor);
• Are not in a prohibited place (school grounds, posted government building, posted private property, secured airport area, federal restricted location);
• Are not in a prohibited circumstance (under the influence above the NRS 202.257 limit, brandishing under NRS 202.320, otherwise threatening conduct under NRS 200.471).

Open carry of a handgun

Open carry of a handgun is lawful in the same locations and under the same conditions as unconcealed carry of a long gun. The handgun must be openly visible to ordinary observation by a person in ordinary proximity. A handgun in a holster on a hip, chest, or thigh outside outer clothing is openly carried. A handgun under a jacket or in a bag is concealed and requires a CFP.

A handgun carried in a vehicle in plain view on the seat or dashboard is generally considered openly carried; however, see VEHICLE_CARRY for the interplay between open carry and the vehicle's interior.

Open carry of a long gun

A long gun (rifle or shotgun) is openly carried whenever it is unconcealed. Slung over a shoulder, carried in the hand, or stored visibly in an unlocked vehicle compartment counts as openly carried. Concealed carry of a long gun is not authorized by any Nevada permit and is generally impractical, but if concealed (e.g., in a closed case), the long gun is not "concealed on or about the person" within the meaning of NRS 202.350 unless physically attached to the person such that the firearm is hidden.

Loaded vs. unloaded

Nevada does not distinguish between loaded and unloaded firearms for the purpose of open carry on foot in public. A loaded openly carried handgun is lawful. The loaded-firearm distinction appears in:

• Vehicle carry rules in NRS 503.165 (loaded firearm in a vehicle while hunting): unlawful to have a loaded long gun in or on a motor vehicle while hunting, but this is a hunting-regulation rule under Title 50, not a general carry restriction.
• School zones under NRS 202.265 and the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q): the federal statute treats loaded and chamber-loaded firearms differently for the small-bore "shall not be loaded" carve-out, but Nevada law treats school grounds as a categorical prohibition regardless of loaded status.

Places where open carry is restricted

Open carry is not permitted in:

• School grounds (K-12), child-care facilities, and certain school activities under NRS 202.265;
• State, county, or municipal buildings that have been posted as restricted under NRS 202.3673 (the same posting rule that applies to concealed carry);
• Federal courthouses, federal buildings posted under 18 U.S.C. Section 930, military installations;
• Secured areas of airports under 49 U.S.C. Section 46505;
• Polling places and election sites under AB 354 (2023) for the duration of voting periods;
• Posted private property where the property owner has excluded firearms (entry with knowledge becomes trespass under NRS 207.200 if the carrier refuses to leave when asked).

See PROHIBITED_PLACES for the full list.

Conduct restrictions while openly carrying

Openly carrying a firearm does not authorize:

• Brandishing the firearm: drawing or exhibiting in a rude, angry, or threatening manner in the presence of another, or using it in any fight or quarrel - prohibited under NRS 202.320 (a misdemeanor; felony if the conduct creates substantial risk of death or great bodily harm).
• Assault with a deadly weapon: pointing a firearm at another with apparent ability to inflict harm, even if not fired - prohibited under NRS 200.471.
• Carrying under the influence of alcohol or drugs above the threshold in NRS 202.257 (blood-alcohol of 0.10% or higher, or under the influence of any controlled substance that impairs the ability to handle a firearm safely; misdemeanor on first offense, see UNDER_INFLUENCE).
• Discharging a firearm within an inhabited area or city, under NRS 202.280 (a misdemeanor).

Interplay with concealed carry

A CFP holder may carry openly or concealed at the holder's option. A person without a CFP may carry openly but not concealed. A person who is openly carrying and then conceals the firearm (e.g., by putting on a jacket) without a CFP commits the offense under NRS 202.350.

Federal restrictions on open carry

• 18 U.S.C. Section 930: prohibits firearm possession in federal facilities (with limited exceptions for law enforcement).
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q): Gun-Free School Zones Act - prohibits firearm possession within 1,000 feet of a school by anyone who is not a state-licensed CCW holder for the state where the school is located. A Nevada CFP holder is exempt within Nevada; an unlicensed openly carrying person is not.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g): federal prohibited-persons categories apply regardless of carry mode.

Practical considerations

Open carry is lawful but uncommon in Nevada's urban centers (Las Vegas, Reno, Henderson). Casinos, retail establishments, and most large employers post against open carry as a matter of private policy. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has issued public guidance reminding that open carry is lawful but advising carriers to be prepared to identify themselves and to comply with lawful stops, particularly when carry triggers reasonable-suspicion calls from members of the public.

A Nevada CFP holder generally has more flexibility to operate in mixed environments because concealment avoids the public-attention cost of open carry while remaining legal.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.350 - Carrying concealed without a permit (the inverse of what is restricted; open carry is not in the statute).
• NRS 202.310 - Sale or transfer of firearm to minor.
• NRS 202.360 - Persons prohibited from possessing firearm.
• NRS 202.265 - School grounds.
• NRS 202.3673 - Prohibited locations under CFP framework (same posting rules apply to open carry by general logic of preemption and NRS 207.200).
• NRS 202.320 - Brandishing.
• NRS 202.257 - Carrying under the influence.
• NRS 202.280 - Discharge in inhabited areas.
• NRS 268.418 and NRS 244.364 - Local preemption.
• NRS 207.200 - Trespass.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) - Federal prohibited persons.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q) - Gun-Free School Zones Act.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 930 - Federal facility prohibition.
• AB 354 (2023) - Election site restrictions.

See CONCEALED_CARRY for concealed carry rules, VEHICLE_CARRY for vehicle-specific rules, PROHIBITED_PLACES for location restrictions, and UNDER_INFLUENCE for intoxication limits.

Training Requirements

Nevada issues concealed firearm permits through county sheriffs, and every applicant has to prove firearms training before a sheriff will issue one. The initial-permit requirement sits in NRS 202.3657(3)(c) plus the flush sentences that follow it, and renewal is governed separately by NRS 202.3677(3). Read that language closely. Watch for two errors in secondary write-ups: county practice presented as state law, and per-handgun or action-type qualification presented as a Nevada requirement.

NRS 202.3657(3) opens with a qualifier. It reads: "Except as otherwise provided in this section, the sheriff shall issue a permit to any person who is qualified to possess a handgun under state and federal law, who submits an application in accordance with the provisions of this section and who" meets the age test, is not prohibited under NRS 202.360, and "[d]emonstrates competence with handguns by presenting a certificate or other documentation to the sheriff."

Read the exception clause. Satisfying the training element does not by itself produce a permit. NRS 202.3657(4) still compels the sheriff to deny an application on independent grounds, among them an outstanding warrant, a disqualifying conviction, or a current order for protection. Training is one of the elements you prove, and the proof is a piece of paper you hand across the counter. It is not a separate application step with its own filing.

The two ways to qualify

NRS 202.3657(3)(c) gives you two routes, and you only need one.

The first is a course "approved by a sheriff in this State." Note the wording. Not the sheriff you are applying to. Any sheriff in Nevada. The statute does not require that the approving sheriff and the issuing sheriff be the same person.

The second is a course "offered by a federal, state or local law enforcement agency, community college, university or national organization that certifies instructors in firearm safety." This route bypasses sheriff approval entirely. If the course comes from one of those four categories of provider, the statute treats it as sufficient on its own terms.

Both routes then run into the same content floor. The flush language after subparagraph (2) reads: "Such a course must include instruction in the use of handguns and in the laws of this State relating to the use of a firearm."

Two subjects, both mandatory. A pure marksmanship class does not satisfy the second half. A pure legal seminar does not satisfy the first. The Nevada law component is specifically "the laws of this State relating to the use of a firearm," so a generic multi-state legal overview aimed at selling non-resident permits in other jurisdictions is not obviously what the statute asks for.

The standards gate applies to only one route

Here is a detail that is easy to skim past. The last sentence of NRS 202.3657(3) says a sheriff "may not approve a course in firearm safety pursuant to subparagraph (1) unless the sheriff determines that the course meets any standards that are established by the Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association or, if the Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association ceases to exist, its legal successor."

That constraint is written to subparagraph (1) only. It governs what a sheriff may approve. It does not, by its terms, reach a course offered under subparagraph (2) by a law enforcement agency, community college, university, or national certifying organization.

The gate is also conditional. It binds the sheriff to "any standards that are established" by the association. The statute does not itself set standards, does not require the association to publish any, and does not say what happens if none exist for a given course type. If a specific course's compliance matters to you, ask the sheriff's office that will process your application whether that course is on their approved list.

One permit covers every handgun you own

This point is easy to get wrong, so read the statute rather than the blogs.

NRS 202.3657(2) provides in full:

"A person applying for a permit may submit one application and obtain one permit to carry all handguns owned by the person. The person must not be required to list and identify on the application each handgun owned by the person. A permit is valid for any handgun which is owned or thereafter obtained by the person to whom the permit is issued."

Three sentences, three separate points. One application yields one permit. You are not required to itemize your handguns on the application. And the permit reaches handguns you buy after it is issued.

Nevada law imposes no per-handgun requirement and no action-type requirement. The concealed firearms sections, NRS 202.3653 to 202.369, contain neither, and the words "semiautomatic" and "revolver" do not appear anywhere in NRS 202.3653 to 202.369. There is no semiautomatic permit and no revolver permit in Nevada. There is no requirement to qualify with each gun you intend to carry. NRS 202.3657 has been amended repeatedly, including in 2011.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office states the current rule plainly on its own CCW page, listing NRS 202.3657 and the note that "CCW Permit Holders are eligible to carry any handgun."

If a training provider tells you that you must pay for a separate qualification per handgun, or that your permit will be stamped for one action type, that is not what NRS 202.3657(2) says. One permit covers every handgun you own, including ones you buy later.

What the statute does not say

The competence requirement is short, and the silences matter as much as the text.

NRS 202.3657 sets no minimum number of classroom hours. It sets no minimum round count. It sets no target, no scoring standard, and no passing percentage. It does not use the words "live fire," "range," or "qualification" anywhere in subsection (3).

What it requires is "instruction in the use of handguns." Whether that phrase compels a live-fire component is not resolved on the face of the statute. In practice the question is answered downstream, by whichever sheriff approves the course under subparagraph (1) and by whatever documentation that sheriff demands. At least one county, Washoe, requires a Firearm Proficiency Certificate for its certified-instructor route, which points to a shooting component there. That is county administration operating inside statutory silence, not a statewide rule you can read off NRS 202.

NRS 202.3657 also sets no expiration date on the training itself. There is no statutory sentence saying your certificate goes stale after twelve months, or twenty-four, or ever. A county may impose a recency window. Washoe uses 12 months. The statute imposes none.

One more point, and it catches people. NRS 202.3657(3)(a)(2) lets an applicant who is at least 18 but under 21 qualify by current service in the Armed Forces, a reserve component or the National Guard, or by discharge or release from that service under honorable conditions. NRS 202.3657(7)(f) then tells that applicant to attach a current military identification card or a DD Form 214. That is an exception to the age element in paragraph (a). It is not an exception to the training element in paragraph (c). Subsection (3) joins its paragraphs with "and," so a service member or veteran still has to present the certificate or other documentation showing a qualifying course. Service does not substitute for the class.

Who may teach the course

For the subparagraph (2) route, the statute names the providers: federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies, community colleges, universities, and national organizations that certify instructors in firearm safety.

For the subparagraph (1) route, the statute is quieter. It approves courses, not people. The concealed firearms sections, NRS 202.3653 to 202.369, define no instructor credential, no licensing scheme for instructors, and no state registry. The Legislature clearly contemplated private instructors, since the civil immunity provision at NRS 202.3683 extends to "a sheriff, law enforcement agency, firearm safety or training instructor or any other person" acting in good faith under these sections. But the mechanics of vetting instructors are left to the sheriffs, which is why the practical answer to "who can teach my class" is county-specific. Washoe's packet, for instance, asks for a course "taught by a certified instructor who is properly licensed to provide this service," a standard the county applies rather than one NRS 202.3657 spells out.

Course approval is assigned by statute to sheriffs, not to the Department of Public Safety. NRS 202.3657(3)(c)(1) places approval with "a sheriff in this State." The Department's role in these sections is narrower. Under NRS 202.369 it "may adopt such regulations as are necessary to carry out" NRS 202.3653 to 202.369, and under NRS 202.3657(1) it prescribes the application form. Neither provision directs the Department to publish training standards or maintain a statewide instructor roster.

What you actually hand the sheriff

NRS 202.3657(3)(c) asks for "a certificate or other documentation to the sheriff which shows that the applicant" completed a qualifying course. That is deliberately loose. It is a certificate, or it is something else that proves the same thing.

One structural point. NRS 202.3657(7) lists what the application "must include," and it enumerates identity details, fingerprints taken by the sheriff or an agent, a front-view color photograph, a driver's license or identification card number, military proof where the under-21 route applies, and two fees. The training certificate is not on that list. The training requirement lives in subsection (3) as an eligibility element, not in subsection (7) as an application attachment. Functionally you bring it with everything else, but if you are cross-checking a county checklist against the statute, that is why the certificate appears in one place and not the other.

Washoe County as a worked example

Washoe County publishes its requirements in detail, which makes it a usable worked example. Treat it as one county's practice. Do not generalize it to Nevada.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office CCW information packet instructs applicants that the training "must be completed within the 12 months prior to the date of your application for your initial permit or your application for the renewal of your existing permit." That twelve-month window is county administration. It is not in NRS 202.3657.

For the instructor route, Washoe's packet requires two documents, not one: "The documentation you present must include a copy of the Certificate of Completion and the Firearm Proficiency Certificate." A proficiency certificate implies a demonstrated shooting component in that county. Washoe also publishes a list of licensed firearm instructors and describes the process as including "proof of the successful completion of a course in firearm safety given by a certified Nevada instructor."

Copy Washoe's sequencing as a method even where the details differ. Its packet tells applicants to obtain the Certificate of Completion and Firearm Proficiency Certificate first, then complete the online application and schedule the fingerprint and photograph appointment. Training comes before paperwork, not alongside it.

Another Nevada county may use a different window, different documents, and a different instructor list. Call the sheriff who will issue your permit before you pay for a class. See APPLICATION_PROCESS for the filing mechanics and FEES_COSTS for what the county charges.

Renewal training is a different standard

Do not assume your renewal repeats your initial course. NRS 202.3677(3) sets a separate test: "No permit may be renewed pursuant to this section unless the permittee has demonstrated continued competence with handguns by successfully completing a course prescribed by the sheriff renewing the permit."

Compare the two provisions. Initial qualification under NRS 202.3657(3)(c) accepts a course approved by any sheriff in the state, or a course from one of the four named provider categories, with no sheriff-approval step for that second route. Renewal under NRS 202.3677(3) narrows to a course "prescribed by the sheriff renewing the permit." That is one sheriff, the issuing one, and prescribed rather than merely approved.

Permits expire five years after issuance unless suspended or revoked, under NRS 202.366(4), so the renewal course comes around on that cycle. The sheriff has 120 days to grant or deny a complete application under NRS 202.366(3), and that clock applies to renewals too, since NRS 202.3677(1)(b) routes renewal applicants through the same NRS 202.366 investigation. Washoe advises renewal applicants to submit materials 120 days before expiration for that reason. See RENEWAL_PROCESS.

Retired law enforcement officers

NRS 202.3678 is a different track and should not be confused with the CCW training requirement. A retired law enforcement officer who is a Nevada resident may apply to the sheriff of the county where he or she resides for the certification required under 18 U.S.C. 926C(d). Under NRS 202.3678(2), the agency the officer retired from "shall offer" the necessary firearms qualification at least twice per year, at the same facility where it trains active officers, and may charge a fee covering the cost. The sheriff issues the certification under NRS 202.3678(3) upon determining that the officer "meets the standards for training and qualifications."

That is a federal LEOSA credential obtained through a Nevada sheriff. It is not a Nevada CCW permit, and NRS 202.3657's course requirement is not what it satisfies.

Why training shows up in the reciprocity analysis

Training also drives which out-of-state permits Nevada honors. Under NRS 202.3689(1)(a), the Department of Public Safety must determine each year, on or before July 1, "whether each state requires a person to complete any training, class or program before the issuance of a permit," and under (1)(b) whether that state maintains an electronic permit database accessible to Nevada officers. States meeting both tests go on the published list. A state with no training requirement at all does not qualify. See RECIPROCITY.

There is a deadline buried in that same family, and new arrivals miss it. NRS 202.3688(1) lets a holder of a permit from a listed state carry here. NRS 202.3688(2) then cuts that off: a person may not carry a concealed firearm in this State if the person "[b]ecomes a resident of this State" and "[h]as not been issued a permit from the sheriff of the county in which he or she resides within 60 days after becoming a resident of this State." That is a hard clock. Sixty days after you become a Nevada resident, your out-of-state permit stops carrying you here, and the Nevada permit that replaces it requires the NRS 202.3657(3)(c) course first. Book the class early. The sheriff also has up to 120 days under NRS 202.366(3) to grant or deny, so the two periods do not line up.

Before you pay for a course

1. Call the sheriff's office that will issue your permit. Ask whether they maintain an approved-course or approved-instructor list, and get the current one.
2. Ask about a recency window. The statute has none. Your county may.
3. Ask exactly which documents they want. Washoe wants two certificates. Yours may want one, or something else.
4. Confirm the course covers both statutory subjects: use of handguns, and Nevada law on the use of a firearm.
5. If you are renewing, ask specifically what course that sheriff prescribes under NRS 202.3677(3). It may not be the class you took the first time.
6. Ignore any provider that sells per-handgun qualification or an action-type-specific permit. NRS 202.3657(2) covers all your handguns, including ones you buy later.
7. If you have just moved to Nevada, start now. NRS 202.3688(2) gives you 60 days.

Application Process

Nevada has no statewide permit office. Under NRS 202.3657(1) you apply "to the sheriff of the county in which he or she resides," and every step after that runs through that sheriff: the fingerprints, the investigation, the decision, the card itself. The Department of Public Safety, which NRS 202.3653(2) defines as the "Department," prescribes the application form by regulation. It does not take your application.

That decides how to read everything below. The statute binds every county, but the counter is county property, and the counter is where the appointment system, the checklist, and the dollar figures live. What follows gives the statutory rule first, then Washoe County as one named example of a county layer. Nothing labeled Washoe is a statewide rule.

Where you apply

NRS 202.3657(1) treats residents and non-residents differently. A Nevada resident "may apply to the sheriff of the county in which he or she resides," meaning your county of residence, not a county of your choosing. A person "who is not a resident of this State may apply to the sheriff of any county in this State," so Nevada issues to non-residents and a non-resident picks the county. Every sheriff must supply the paperwork: "Application forms for permits must be furnished by the sheriff of each county upon request."

One application covers your whole safe. NRS 202.3657(2) lets an applicant "submit one application and obtain one permit to carry all handguns owned by the person," bars any requirement to "list and identify on the application each handgun," and makes the permit "valid for any handgun which is owned or thereafter obtained." Washoe restates it in a line: "CCW Permit Holders are eligible to carry any handgun."

What the application has to contain

NRS 202.3657(7) is the checklist, and it opens with a formality that catches people. The application "must be completed and signed under oath by the applicant," and the signature "must be witnessed by an employee of the sheriff or notarized by a notary public." It then requires:

• (a) Name, address, place and date of birth, social security number, occupation and employer, "and any other names used by the applicant."
• (b) "A complete set of the applicant's fingerprints taken by the sheriff or his or her agent."
• (c) "A front-view colored photograph of the applicant taken by the sheriff or his or her agent."
• (d) and (e) The driver's license or ID card number, from the Nevada DMV for a resident or "another state or jurisdiction" for a non-resident.
• (f) For an applicant aged 18 to 20 qualifying through military service, a current military ID card, a DD Form 214, or another document of honorable separation.
• (g) A nonrefundable fee equal to the nonvolunteer rate the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History and the FBI charge for the reports NRS 202.366(1) requires.
• (h) "A nonrefundable fee set by the sheriff not to exceed $60."

Read (b) and (c) with the witnessing requirement, but read them separately. The fingerprints and the photograph must be taken by the sheriff or the sheriff's agent. The signature has two paths: witnessed by an employee of the sheriff, or notarized by a notary public. A notary is not the sheriff's agent, so the signature alone can be handled away from the counter. The prints and the photograph cannot, which is why no county can make this fully remote. And note that only one of the two fees is the sheriff's. Item (g) is a pass-through; item (h) is the sheriff's own charge, capped. NRS 202.368 sends both to the county treasurer. See FEES_COSTS.

The competence requirement, as the application sees it

NRS 202.3657(3)(c) makes competence a document you hand over, not a test the sheriff gives. You demonstrate it "by presenting a certificate or other documentation to the sheriff" showing you completed a firearm safety course "approved by a sheriff in this State," or one offered by a law enforcement agency, community college, university, "or national organization that certifies instructors in firearm safety." The course "must include instruction in the use of handguns and in the laws of this State relating to the use of a firearm," and a sheriff may not approve one unless it meets standards set by the Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association or its legal successor. The statute puts no expiration date on the certificate. A sheriff may. Washoe does, at 12 months. See TRAINING_REQUIREMENTS.

Fingerprints and the background investigation

NRS 202.366(1) tells the sheriff what to do when the application lands. The sheriff "shall conduct an investigation of the applicant to determine if the applicant is eligible," and "shall forward a complete set of the applicant's fingerprints to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its report concerning the criminal history of the applicant." The investigation "also must include a report from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System," defined at NRS 202.366(5) as the system created by the federal Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, Public Law 103-159. Two record checks, then, not one.

Then the shall-issue command: the sheriff "shall issue a permit to the applicant unless the applicant is not qualified to possess a handgun pursuant to state or federal law or is not otherwise qualified to obtain a permit" under the concealed firearm sections. NRS 202.3657(3) says it from the other side. Discretion is confined to the grounds the statute lists.

The 120-day deadline

NRS 202.366(3) sets the only processing deadline in the chapter: "Within 120 days after a complete application for a permit is submitted, the sheriff to whom the application is submitted shall grant or deny the application."

The load-bearing word is "complete." A missing certificate or an unsigned waiver does not start the clock at all. Washoe's information packet puts the consequence plainly: "Incomplete applications cannot be processed." Nor does anything bridge the wait as of right. NRS 202.3687(1) permits, without requiring, a sheriff to issue a temporary permit, so whether your county offers one is that county's answer.

Approval and denial

On approval, NRS 202.366(3) requires a permit "containing a colored photograph of the applicant," and the statute prints the card's fields down to height and weight. Under NRS 202.366(4), "[u]nless suspended or revoked by the sheriff who issued the permit, a permit expires 5 years after the date on which it is issued."

A denial must be reasoned: "If the application is denied, the sheriff shall send the applicant written notification setting forth the reasons for the denial." That statement is what you appeal from. NRS 202.3663 supplies the appeal, by "filing a petition in the district court for the county in which the applicant filed the application," and the scope is narrow. Review "must be limited to a determination of whether the denial was arbitrary, capricious or otherwise characterized by an abuse of discretion," under chapter 233B of NRS. Not a second look at whether you deserve a permit. A look at whether the sheriff's reasons hold up.

Either way the file stays closed, and the confidentiality statute splits across three subsections. NRS 202.3662(1) opens "Except as otherwise provided in this section and NRS 202.3665 and 239.0115," then makes confidential the application and all information in it, all information provided to or obtained by the sheriff in the investigation of an applicant or permittee, the identity of the permittee, and, at (1)(d), "[a]ny records regarding the suspension, restoration or revocation of a permit." NRS 202.3662(2) is the law enforcement release: records regarding an applicant or permittee "may be released to a law enforcement agency for the purpose of conducting an investigation or prosecution." NRS 202.3662(3) is the statistical release: statistical abstracts of a sheriff's permit data, "including, but not limited to, the number of applications received and permits issued, may be released to any person."

Why an application gets denied

NRS 202.3657(3) sets the affirmative bar: 21 or older, or 18 to 20 with qualifying military service; not prohibited from possessing a firearm under NRS 202.360; and the competence documentation above. NRS 202.3657(4) then lists twelve grounds on which the sheriff "shall deny an application or revoke a permit," running from an outstanding warrant and a felony conviction through a current order for protection against high-risk behavior under NRS 33.570 or 33.580 to "a false statement on any application for a permit or for the renewal of a permit." PERMIT_BASICS and RESTRICTIONS carry that list in full.

Two adjacent provisions are easy to miss. NRS 202.3657(5) lets a sheriff deny or revoke on a sworn affidavit "stating articulable facts based upon personal knowledge" from any natural person 18 or older, but the affidavit has to allege something specific: that the applicant or permittee "has or may have committed an offense or engaged in any other activity specified in subsection 4 which would preclude the issuance of a permit" or require revocation. The subsection 4 list is the boundary.

NRS 202.3657(6) freezes a pending application, and the trigger is formal notification rather than the sheriff's own knowledge. It runs "[i]f the sheriff receives notification submitted by a court or law enforcement agency of this or any other state, the United States or a territory or possession of the United States" that an applicant or permittee "has been charged with a crime involving the use or threatened use of force or violence, the conviction for which would require the revocation of a permit or preclude the issuance of a permit." A charge that would not carry that consequence does not trip the provision.

What happens next depends on whether you hold a permit or are waiting on one. A pending application has its processing suspended "until the final disposition of the charges," and on acquittal or dropped charges the sheriff resumes processing it, which NRS 202.3665(1)(a)(2) describes as having "[r]esumed the processing of the application following the dropping of charges against the applicant or the acquittal of the applicant." The fee sentence is about permits, not applications: "If a permittee is acquitted of the charges, or if the charges are dropped, the sheriff shall restore his or her permit without imposing a fee."

NRS 202.3665 is the operative companion to that suspension, and it points outward. When a sheriff suspends the processing of an application, resumes it, or denies the application because the applicant was convicted of such a crime, the sheriff "shall notify any victim of the crime" of the action taken. Under NRS 202.3665(3), that notice must go out "not later than 10 days after the date on which the sheriff performs one of the actions listed in subsection 1 or 2."

One county, named: Washoe

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office publishes a CCW page, a fee schedule, and a CCW Information Packet. Attributed, so you can see the shape of a county layer without mistaking it for state law:

• Sequence. Training comes first: "Once you have received your Certificate of Completion and Firearm Proficiency Certificate, please complete the online application and schedule your appointment." You then appear at the Sheriff's Office Records Section, or at the Incline Village Sheriff's Substation, "by appointment only- Monday through Thursday," to "pay fees and have your fingerprints and photograph taken." The page warns: "Your application will be REJECTED if the above-listed documents are not provided at the time of your appointment."
• County-added documents. Beyond the statutory list, the packet asks for a waiver authorizing release of information, an NDPS Civil Applicant Waiver, a firearm certification form, and a license or ID whose "address of residency must be within the jurisdiction of the Department of Motor Vehicles issuing" it. A naturalized citizen provides a U.S. passport or Certificate of Naturalization; a non-citizen, proof of residency status. An applicant with a felony conviction must submit certified copies of both the document restoring civil rights and the document that "specifically restores your authority to own, possess or use a firearm."
• A county-added deadline on training. The packet requires training "completed within the 12 months prior to the date of your application," documented by both "the Certificate of Completion and the Firearm Proficiency Certificate." NRS 202.3657 contains no 12-month window. This one is Washoe's.
• Processing and issuance. The packet says to "[a]llow up to 120 days for processing your completed application," attributing the wait to the FBI records check, and that on approval "your permit will be sent to you by mail." It describes the permit as expiring "5 years from the date the card is mailed," while NRS 202.366(4) measures 5 years from issuance. Go by the date printed on your card.
• Money. The fee schedule, marked effective 11/26/2019, lists an original application at $99.00 "(includes $39.00 fingerprinting State fee)" and a renewal at $64.00 "(includes $39.00 fingerprinting State fee)" as well. Take those as county totals, not as the statutory parts made visible. The schedule labels the $39.00 only as a fingerprinting State fee, never as the NRS 202.3657(7)(g) pass-through, and never mentions the FBI, while the statutory pass-through is a fee "equal to the nonvolunteer rate charged by the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History and the Federal Bureau of Investigation." The same $39.00 also shows up on that schedule outside the permit context, inside the $74.00 charged for work permit applications, business licenses, and peddler and solicitor permits. So the $99.00 cannot be split into a (g) fee and an (h) fee on the authority of this document. See FEES_COSTS.

None of this transfers. Another county may use a different portal or none, may set a different training window or none, and sets its own fee within the $60 cap. Ask your sheriff. Note too that the Washoe page attaches the 120-day figure to a statute number that is not where the deadline lives. The deadline is NRS 202.366(3).

Renewal, in short

NRS 202.3677(1) sends a renewal back to "the sheriff who issued the permit" and back through the NRS 202.366 investigation. The application must be signed under oath, state that the applicant is eligible under NRS 202.3657, and carry the Central Repository and FBI fee plus "a nonrefundable fee of $25," with "an additional nonrefundable late fee of $15" from a permittee who "fails to renew his or her permit on or before the date of expiration." Under NRS 202.3677(3), no permit renews unless the permittee "has demonstrated continued competence with handguns by successfully completing a course prescribed by the sheriff renewing the permit," which makes the renewal course a county specification. Washoe adds an outer limit the statute does not state: fail to renew "within 120 days of the expiration of the permit" and "you will have to re-apply as a new applicant." See RENEWAL_PROCESS.

Common misconceptions

Where to verify

• The sheriff's office for the county where you will apply, for forms, appointments, document lists, and the current fee. This is the only authoritative source for county procedure.
• NRS chapter 202, https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-202.html, for NRS 202.3653 through 202.369.
• Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Concealed Weapons Permits (CCW), https://www.washoesheriff.com/administrative_bureau/administrative-services-division/records/concealed-weapons-permits-ccw.php, which lists (775) 328-3001 for Records, plus its CCW Information Packet, which directs application questions to the Concealed Carry Weapons Unit at 911 Parr Blvd., Reno, NV 89512-1000, telephone 775-328-3348.
• Nevada's CCW resources page, https://www.rccd.nv.gov/resources/carry-concealed-weapon-ccw-permit/, for the active permits by sheriff's office report and the out-of-state recognition list.

Key statutory references

The statute gives you the spine and the deadline. The county gives you the appointment, the checklist, and the number on the check. Read NRS 202.3657 and 202.366 before you go, then call your sheriff for the rest.

Fees and Costs

There is no statewide price for a Nevada concealed firearm permit, and there is no state office you can call to get one. Nevada builds the permit fee out of three pieces: a charge the sheriff sets within a statutory ceiling, a pass-through charge that the sheriff collects but does not control, and a set of fixed amounts written into the statute itself. You apply to a county sheriff under NRS 202.3657(1), that sheriff sets the part of the price the Legislature left open, and that sheriff's office collects the money. Two counties can therefore charge two different totals for the same permit, both lawfully.

That structure is the single most useful thing to understand before you start comparing numbers you find online. Below, the statutory framework comes first because it is stable, then one county's published schedule as a worked example. Every dollar figure here carries the source it came from and the date attached to that source. For a permit fee, the date is not a footnote. It is part of the number.

What the statute fixes and what it leaves to the sheriff

The initial application fee lives in NRS 202.3657(7), the subsection listing what an application must include. Two of its eight paragraphs are money.

Paragraph (g) requires "a nonrefundable fee equal to the nonvolunteer rate charged by the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to obtain the reports required pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 202.366." Paragraph (h) requires "a nonrefundable fee set by the sheriff not to exceed $60." (NRS 202.3657(7)(g) and (h), leg.state.nv.us NRS Chapter 202, retrieved August 13, 2026; the section was last amended in 2021.)

Read those two together and the architecture is clear. The $60 in paragraph (h) is a ceiling, not a price. A sheriff may charge $60, or less, and nothing in NRS 202.3653 to 202.369 obliges any sheriff to charge the maximum. That is the only cap the statute places on an initial permit. Paragraph (g) has no cap at all, because it is not really a fee the county sets. It is a pass-through of what the Central Repository and the FBI charge for the criminal history reports.

The background check component is the moving part

NRS 202.366(1) tells you what paragraph (g) is buying. On receiving an application, including a renewal application, the sheriff "shall conduct an investigation of the applicant to determine if the applicant is eligible for a permit," and in doing so "shall forward a complete set of the applicant's fingerprints to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its report concerning the criminal history of the applicant." The investigation "also must include a report from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System."

So the fingerprint and background check charge is not a county markup. It is the cost of two outside agencies running you, collected by the sheriff at the counter and forwarded on.

Notice the word "nonvolunteer" in paragraph (g). The term implies the Central Repository maintains more than one rate, and the statute pegs your fee to the one that is not the volunteer rate. This is the component most likely to be wrong on any page you read, including this one. NRS Chapter 202 does not set this rate, so the amount is nowhere in the permit statute and has to be confirmed with the sheriff's office that will take your application. If a Nevada permit price rises between two published fee schedules while the sheriff's own charge stays put, this is the piece that moved.

Renewing, and the price of being late

Renewal is priced separately and lower. Under NRS 202.3677(2), a renewal application must "be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee equal to the nonvolunteer rate charged by the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to obtain the reports required pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 202.366," paragraph (c), and must "be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $25," paragraph (d). (NRS 202.3677(2), leg.state.nv.us NRS Chapter 202, retrieved August 13, 2026; the section was last amended in 2013.)

Compare that $25 to the $60 in NRS 202.3657(7)(h) and note the difference in kind, not just in amount. The initial figure is a ceiling the sheriff may charge up to. The renewal figure is a flat statutory amount. The background check pass-through, however, applies to renewals exactly as it does to first applications, because NRS 202.3677(1)(b) sends every renewal applicant back through the same NRS 202.366 investigation. Renewing does not spare you the fingerprint and records cost.

Miss your expiration date and the statute adds one more line. If a permittee "fails to renew his or her permit on or before the date of expiration of the permit, the application for renewal must include an additional nonrefundable late fee of $15." (NRS 202.3677(2), same retrieval.) That is a statutory amount, not a county option.

Replacement permits and address changes

NRS 202.367 covers the small transactions, and it prices one of them directly. A permittee must notify the issuing sheriff in writing within 30 days if the permittee's permanent address changes, or if the permit is lost, stolen, or destroyed. The sheriff issues a duplicate permit if the permittee submits a signed statement under oath that the permit was lost, stolen, or destroyed, and "pays a nonrefundable fee of $15." (NRS 202.367(2)(b), leg.state.nv.us NRS Chapter 202, retrieved August 13, 2026; this section has not been amended since it was added in 1995.)

One figure in NRS 202.367 is not a fee at all, and it is worth separating. A permittee who fails to give the required notice "is subject to a civil penalty of $25" under NRS 202.367(4). The same subsection reaches the permittee who finds a lost permit after a duplicate has been issued and does not notify the sheriff in writing and return the duplicate within 10 days. That $25 is a penalty for not telling the sheriff something, not a price for a service.

That is also not the only $25 civil penalty in the permit statutes, and the other one is easy to confuse with it. NRS 202.3667(1) requires each permittee to carry the permit, or a duplicate issued under NRS 202.367, together with proper identification whenever the permittee is in actual possession of a concealed firearm, and to present both if a peace officer requests them. NRS 202.3667(2) then provides that "a permittee who violates the provisions of this section is subject to a civil penalty of $25 for each violation." (NRS 202.3667, leg.state.nv.us NRS Chapter 202, retrieved August 13, 2026.) So NRS 202.367(4) reaches a permittee who fails to notify the sheriff, and NRS 202.3667(2) reaches a permittee carrying without the permit and proper identification. The two citations differ by a single digit and both carry $25, which is exactly why they get transposed.

Nonrefundable means nonrefundable

Every fee described above carries the word "nonrefundable" in the statute. Not one of them is contingent on the sheriff approving your application. You pay the application and renewal fees when you file, the sheriff has up to 120 days under NRS 202.366(3) to grant or deny, and a denial does not return your money. The $15 duplicate fee under NRS 202.367(2)(b) is nonrefundable on the same terms, but it attaches to the duplicate request rather than to an application. Washoe County's applicant packet states the same rule in its own words at the top of its fee section: "ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE." (Washoe County Sheriff's Office, CCW Information Packet, retrieved August 13, 2026.)

There is one place the statute expressly forbids a charge. Under NRS 202.3657(6), if the sheriff suspends a permit because a permittee has been charged with a qualifying crime and the permittee is later acquitted, or the charges are dropped, the sheriff "shall restore his or her permit without imposing a fee."

Where the money goes, and why the price is local

NRS 202.368 explains why fees vary by county better than any comparison chart. All fees collected under NRS 202.3653 to 202.369 "must be deposited with the county treasurer of the county in which the fees are collected." From there, if the county has a metropolitan police department created under NRS Chapter 280, the money is credited to that department's general fund. If it does not, the money is credited to the county general fund.

Permit fees are county revenue funding county operations. The Legislature capped the sheriff's own charge at $60 for an initial permit and fixed $25 for a renewal, then left the rest of the decision where the cost sits. Expect variation, and do not treat one county's number as the state's number.

One practical consequence: a non-resident may apply to the sheriff of any county in Nevada under NRS 202.3657(1), while a resident applies to the sheriff of the county where he or she resides. For non-residents, the choice of county is also a choice of price and of processing office.

A worked example: Washoe County

Washoe County publishes a service charge schedule, and the sheriff's own CCW packet defers to it rather than printing amounts, telling applicants to "check the Service Charge Schedule on the Washoe County Sheriff's Office website for current fees" for both initial and renewal applications. That makes the schedule the county's own controlling statement of price. It is one county's statement of price, not Nevada's. If you will apply in a different county, get the current amounts from the sheriff of that county rather than reading Washoe's totals across.

The schedule carries a printed effective date of November 26, 2019, and the figures below were read from it on August 13, 2026, more than six years later. Read them with that effective date attached, and confirm the current amount of any line with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office before you budget from it.

Washoe County Sheriff's Office fee schedule, effective November 26, 2019, retrieved August 13, 2026:

• Original application, including a $39.00 fingerprinting State fee: $99.00
• Renewal application, including a $39.00 fingerprinting State fee: $64.00
• Late fee, within 120 days after expiration: $15.00
• Replacement for lost, stolen, or destroyed CCW: $15.00
• Change of address or name: $15.00
• LEOSA new application: no charge. LEOSA renewal application each year thereafter: no charge
• Fingerprint cards: $10.00 per card

Now do the arithmetic against the statute, because it shows how the pieces fit. Subtract the schedule's $39.00 state fingerprinting component from its $99.00 original application total and $60.00 remains, exactly the ceiling in NRS 202.3657(7)(h). Subtract the same $39.00 from the $64.00 renewal total and $25.00 remains, exactly the figure in NRS 202.3677(2)(d). As of the date printed on that schedule, those totals are consistent with Washoe County charging the statutory maximum for an initial permit and the statutory flat amount for a renewal.

Be careful about what the $39.00 line actually says. The schedule calls it a "fingerprinting State fee," and it charges the same $39.00 well outside the permit context: work permit applications, business licenses, and peddler and solicitor permits are each listed at $74.00 on that same schedule, effective November 26, 2019 and retrieved August 13, 2026, with that same $39.00 included. The schedule does not state that the $39.00 is the NRS 202.3657(7)(g) and NRS 202.3677(2)(c) Central Repository and FBI pass-through, and the two are not described in the same terms. The statutory fee is keyed to the nonvolunteer rate charged by the Central Repository and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a state and a federal component, while the schedule names a State fee only. So the subtraction above is arithmetic that lines up with the statutory figures, not the county telling you what the $39.00 is.

That still tells you which number to distrust first. The $60.00 and $25.00 components are anchored in statute and cannot rise without the Legislature, while the schedule presents the $39.00 as a State fee rather than as a charge Washoe County sets for itself. If any part of that six-year-old schedule has moved, ask the Sheriff's Office which line moved, because the totals move with it.

The county packet adds a deadline the statute does not state. Washoe warns that if you fail to renew within 120 days of expiration, "you will have to re-apply as a new applicant," which puts you back at the initial application price rather than the renewal price plus a late fee. NRS 202.3677 sets the $15 late fee for renewing after expiration but does not itself state a 120-day cutoff, so treat that cutoff as Washoe's rule and confirm it with your own sheriff.

On payment, the packet says fees are accepted as cash, personal check, money order or cashier's check, and credit or debit card, and that the application fee includes fingerprint processing. The fee schedule adds that credit card fees apply and that personal checks must be payable to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office.

Retired law enforcement certification

NRS 202.3678 prices certification for a qualified retired law enforcement officer under 18 U.S.C. 926C(d) differently from a permit, and it sets no dollar figure at all. Under subsection 2, the law enforcement agency providing the required firearms qualification "may impose a nonrefundable fee in the amount necessary to pay the expenses for providing the firearms qualification." Under subsection 3, the sheriff "may impose a nonrefundable fee in the amount necessary to pay the expenses in providing the certification."

Both are permissive and both are cost-recovery, capped only by actual expense. Washoe County's schedule, effective November 26, 2019 and retrieved August 13, 2026, lists no charge for LEOSA new applications or renewals, which is what "may impose" allows.

The cost the sheriff does not set

The training requirement is a real cost and it is not on any sheriff's fee schedule. NRS 202.3657(3)(c) requires an applicant to demonstrate competence with handguns by presenting documentation of a firearm safety course approved by a Nevada sheriff, or one offered by a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, community college, university, or national organization that certifies firearm safety instructors. NRS 202.3677(3) requires the same demonstration again at renewal, through "a course prescribed by the sheriff renewing the permit."

The statute sets no price for either course, and no cap. You pay an instructor or an institution directly, in a market the sheriff does not regulate as to price. Any total you see quoted for "a Nevada CCW" that includes training is combining a government fee with a private one, and only the government half is anchored in the numbers above.

Pricing your own permit

Ask your issuing sheriff's office for its current schedule, and price the four components separately:

1. The sheriff's own charge. Capped at $60 for an initial permit by NRS 202.3657(7)(h), fixed at $25 for renewal by NRS 202.3677(2)(d).
2. The Central Repository and FBI pass-through, at the nonvolunteer rate. Uncapped by statute, and the component that moves.
3. Transaction fees when they apply. A $15 duplicate under NRS 202.367(2)(b), and a $15 late fee under NRS 202.3677(2) if you renew after expiration.
4. Training, paid to your instructor, at whatever that instructor charges.

Because the permit expires 5 years after the date it is issued under NRS 202.366(4), the initial total buys 5 years, and the renewal cycle repeats items 1 through 4 at the lower statutory figure. Confirm items 1 and 2 with the office that will actually take your money, and note the date on whatever schedule it hands you.

Renewing a Nevada Concealed Firearm Permit

The Headline

Nevada Concealed Firearm Permits (CFPs) are valid for five years from the date of issuance under NRS 202.366(1). A permittee must renew before expiration by:

1. Completing an approved 4-hour refresher course (the renewal training requirement);
2. Passing a live-fire firearms qualification (same standards as the new-applicant qualification);
3. Submitting a renewal application to the sheriff of the county of residence with the renewal fee;
4. Demonstrating continued eligibility under NRS 202.3657(2)-(4).

The renewal application is filed with the issuing sheriff, who reviews and approves on the same shall-issue basis as the original application under NRS 202.3677. If a permittee fails to renew before expiration, the CFP lapses and the permittee must apply as a new applicant.

Statutory framework

NRS 202.3677(1) provides the basic renewal authority:

"The sheriff may renew a permit upon receipt of payment of the renewal fee and submission and approval of the application for renewal."

NRS 202.3677(2) requires that the renewal application include:

• A statement that the permittee meets all eligibility requirements;
• Authorization for the sheriff to conduct a background check;
• Proof of completion of the renewal course (the 4-hour refresher) within the preceding renewal period.

NRS 202.3677(3) establishes the continued competence requirement:

"No permit may be renewed pursuant to this section unless the permittee has demonstrated continued competence with handguns by successfully completing a course prescribed by the sheriff renewing the permit."

The Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association (NvSCA) prescribes the minimum 4-hour refresher standard, which all Nevada sheriffs follow.

Eligibility for renewal

A permittee may renew if they:

1. Are at least 21 years of age (or 18 if a member of the U.S. Armed Forces);
2. Continue to meet all eligibility requirements under NRS 202.3657(2) and (4) - i.e., are not a prohibited person under state or federal law, have no outstanding warrants, have not been convicted of a disqualifying offense, are not subject to a protective order, etc.;
3. Have completed the required refresher course; and
4. Submit the renewal application with the renewal fee before the CFP expires.

The renewal background check includes:

• NCIC for outstanding warrants;
• NICS for federal prohibitors under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g);
• Nevada criminal history records check;
• Review of any pending Nevada criminal charges.

Refresher course requirements (NvSCA Minimum Training Standards)

The renewal course must be at least 4 hours and must include:

• Review of safe handling and storage of firearms;
• Review of Nevada laws relating to the use of firearms and concealed carry, including any changes since the prior renewal;
• Live-fire firearms qualification (same scoring standards as the new-applicant qualification - 70% minimum on a humanoid-style target at 3, 5, and 7 yards).

The renewal does not require a written examination. The refresher is shorter and focused on safety, legal updates, and shooting proficiency.

Course requirements (NvSCA standards, revised February 2023):

• Location: Must take place in Nevada. For non-residents renewing in Nevada, training must take place in the county where the renewal application will be filed (or the nearest county with approved instructors if the application county has none).
• Instructor: Must be NvSCA-approved and approved by a Nevada sheriff (typically the sheriff of the county where the instructor teaches).
• Course content: At minimum 4 hours, including classroom and range time, with the qualification course of fire (30 rounds for 6-shot or larger; 25 rounds for 5-shot).
• Certificate: Must state qualification with a handgun (specific make, model, and caliber not required), course length (4 hours), classroom and range locations, and bear the instructor and student signatures and initials.

Certificate validity: One year from the date of successful completion. The permittee must submit the renewal application within this one-year window.

When to file the renewal

Best practice: file the renewal 30 to 60 days before the CFP expires. This allows time for:

• The sheriff's background check (typically 30-45 days);
• Any administrative follow-up (e.g., missing documents);
• Receipt and pickup of the renewed permit before the old one expires.

Filing earlier than 90 days before expiration is generally permitted, but some sheriffs prefer to receive renewals closer to expiration to minimize the gap between the underlying background check and the new term.

If the CFP expires before renewal:

• The permittee may not carry concealed under the lapsed permit.
• The permittee may file a renewal application within one year after expiration under most sheriff policies, but the CFP itself is inactive during the gap.
• After more than one year past expiration, the permittee must apply as a new applicant (8-hour initial course, full application, full fee structure).

Renewal fees

Per NRS 202.3678 and county-specific fee schedules:

• Renewal application fee: typically $25 to $30 (set by the issuing sheriff under statutory authority);
• Fingerprint processing fee: typically $25 to $40 (varies by county; some sheriffs waive the fingerprint requirement on renewal if recent fingerprints are on file);
• Background check fee: typically $30 to $40 (varies by county and by the level of background check required);
• Training course cost: $50 to $200 from private instructors (the sheriff does not collect this).

Total typical renewal cost: approximately $120 to $250, plus the training course.

See FEES_COSTS for the detailed fee breakdown.

Submitting the renewal application

The standard renewal application package includes:

• Completed renewal application form (provided by the sheriff or downloadable from the sheriff's website);
• Copy of the current (about-to-expire) CFP;
• Government-issued photo ID;
• Refresher course certificate (signed by an approved instructor, showing the 4-hour course content, classroom and range locations, and the live-fire qualification result);
• Renewal fee (typically cashier's check or money order; some counties accept credit cards);
• Proof of Nevada residency (utility bill, lease, voter registration);
• Authorization for background check.

Many sheriff's offices in Nevada (notably Clark County, Washoe County, and Carson City) accept renewal applications in person by appointment. A few offer mail-in renewal for permittees who reside outside the county or have travel constraints; check with the specific sheriff's office.

Approval timeline

Under NRS 202.3677, the sheriff has the same processing-time framework as for new applications. In practice:

• Clark County (Las Vegas Metro): 60-90 days from filing to approval.
• Washoe County (Reno): 30-60 days.
• Carson City and rural counties: 30-45 days.

The sheriff's office will notify the permittee by phone, email, or mail when the renewed permit is ready for pickup.

Denial of renewal

The sheriff may deny renewal on the same grounds as a new application:

• The permittee is no longer eligible under NRS 202.3657(2)-(4);
• The permittee has been convicted of a disqualifying offense during the prior term;
• The permittee has become subject to a federal prohibitor under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g);
• The permittee failed to complete the renewal training requirement;
• The permittee made a false statement on the renewal application;
• The sheriff has substantial evidence that the permittee may pose a danger to self or others.

A denial must be in writing with the reasons. The permittee has a right to administrative review under Nevada's administrative procedures.

Expired permits and the one-year window

Under most Nevada sheriff policies (consistent with NvSCA guidance):

• A permittee may renew up to one year after expiration with the same renewal procedure, but the CFP itself is not valid during the gap.
• After more than one year past expiration, the permittee must apply as a new applicant - 8-hour initial course, full application, written examination, and live-fire qualification.

A permittee who knows they will be unable to renew on time (e.g., extended out-of-state travel) should contact the issuing sheriff's office before expiration to discuss options. Some sheriffs grant short administrative extensions for documented hardship.

What changes between original application and renewal

Change of name or address

Under NRS 202.367, a permittee must notify the issuing sheriff in writing within 30 days of any change of address (or name change, by court order). The notification is a separate process from renewal and is handled by the sheriff's office records section.

Out-of-state move

A Nevada CFP holder who moves out of state may continue to use the Nevada CFP in Nevada for any visits during the term of the permit, but should obtain a permit from the new state of residence. The Nevada CFP does not automatically transfer; however, the Nevada CFP may be honored under reciprocity by the new state if the new state recognizes Nevada CFPs (see RECIPROCITY).

At renewal time, the former Nevada resident must check eligibility:

• If still a U.S. citizen or lawful resident and not a prohibited person, the former resident may apply for a non-resident Nevada CFP through the sheriff of the Nevada county they intend to visit most frequently.
• The non-resident renewal follows the same 4-hour refresher and live-fire qualification rules, taken in Nevada in the county of application.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.3677 - Renewal of permit; continued competence requirement.
• NRS 202.366 - Term of permit (five years).
• NRS 202.367 - Notice of address change.
• NRS 202.3678 - Application fee structure.
• NRS 202.3657 - Eligibility requirements (applies to renewal as well).
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) - Federal prohibited persons (applies to renewal).

See PERMIT_BASICS for the original permit framework, APPLICATION_PROCESS for the new-applicant procedure, TRAINING_REQUIREMENTS for course details, and FEES_COSTS for the fee schedule.

Nevada Prohibited Places for Firearms

The Headline

Nevada law and federal law together prohibit firearm carry (open or concealed) in defined sensitive locations. The principal Nevada statutes are NRS 202.265 (school grounds, childcare facilities), NRS 202.3673 (state and local government buildings; the "CFP prohibited locations" section), and NRS 202.350 (the underlying concealed-carry restriction). Federal overlays include 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q) (Gun-Free School Zones Act), 18 U.S.C. Section 930 (federal facilities), and 49 U.S.C. Section 46505 (secured airport areas).

A Nevada CFP does not authorize carry in any of these prohibited places. Open carry without a permit is also barred in these locations.

School grounds (NRS 202.265)

Under NRS 202.265(1), it is a gross misdemeanor (and certain conduct, a felony) for any person to carry or possess any firearm, dirk, dagger, or knife (with limited exceptions) while on the property of:

• Any public or private school;
• Any building, structure, or premises owned, used, or under the control of a school;
• Any vehicle, bus, or other transport used by or under the control of a school.

Exceptions in NRS 202.265(3) include:

• A peace officer in the performance of duty;
• A person authorized in writing by the principal or other person in charge of the school;
• A person possessing a firearm on private property in compliance with the lawful private use of that property (e.g., a homeowner adjacent to school grounds with the firearm on the homeowner's land);
• An unloaded firearm being transported in a vehicle through school grounds for lawful purposes (subject to specific limitations);
• A firearm at a residence located on school property where the resident has lawful authority.

The CFP holder exception in NRS 202.265 is narrow: a CFP does not by itself authorize carry on school grounds. Some commentators interpret the language to permit CFP holders to carry in a vehicle traversing school grounds (e.g., a parent picking up a child at a school parking lot); the safer reading - and the position that the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County School District police take - is that a CFP does not authorize possession of a firearm anywhere within the school's grounds, including parking lots, except in the limited NRS 202.265(3) categories.

Federal overlay: 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q) (Gun-Free School Zones Act) prohibits firearm possession within 1,000 feet of a school by a person who is not a state-licensed CCW holder for that state. A Nevada CFP holder is exempt within Nevada's 1,000-foot federal zone for travel and through-passage; the holder is not exempt from NRS 202.265's on-grounds prohibition.

State and local government buildings (NRS 202.3673)

Under NRS 202.3673, a CFP holder may not carry a concealed firearm into:

• A public building of the State, a political subdivision of the State, or any agency thereof, if the building has been posted with signs as restricted under the statute and meets the additional statutory requirements (metal detectors at all public entrances, controlled access);
• Any court building or any room used by a court;
• A municipal jail or county jail;
• A school in violation of NRS 202.265 (the cross-reference);
• A childcare facility in violation of NRS 202.265.

NRS 202.3673(3) requires the posting to be "conspicuous" and to be at "each public entrance." Buildings that have signage but no metal detectors are nonetheless restricted under the statute. Some buildings (e.g., the Nevada Legislature in Carson City during session) impose additional restrictions by legislative rule or by court rule.

Penalty: NRS 202.3673(7) makes a violation a misdemeanor; subsequent violations escalate.

Federal courthouses and federal buildings

18 U.S.C. Section 930 prohibits firearm possession in any federal facility, with limited exceptions for federal law enforcement, military personnel performing duties, and other narrow categories. Federal courthouses, federal buildings (Social Security offices, IRS offices, ICE offices, etc.), and U.S. Post Offices (interior space and the parking lots, per the federal regulation at 39 C.F.R. Section 232.1(l)) are categorically restricted.

A CFP, LEOSA carry, and reciprocity carry do not authorize entry with a firearm. Violation is a federal misdemeanor (up to one year prison) or felony if the firearm is intended to be used in a crime.

Airports and TSA-secured areas

49 U.S.C. Section 46505 prohibits possession of a firearm on board a passenger aircraft. Possession in the secured (post-screening) area of an airport is also barred. A firearm may be transported in checked baggage if declared, unloaded, in a hard-sided locked case, with ammunition in a separate container, in accordance with TSA regulations at 49 C.F.R. Section 1540.111.

A CFP holder may carry concealed in the public (pre-screening) area of a Nevada airport (terminal lobby, ticket counters, baggage claim, ground transportation), subject to airport-specific posted restrictions and to private-property rules of the airport authority. McCarran/Reid International (Las Vegas) and Reno-Tahoe International have specific posting and signage; some areas (e.g., gates leased to airlines) may be posted as restricted at the airline's request.

Polling places and election sites

AB 354 (2023) (codified at NRS 293.730 et seq.) prohibits firearm possession at polling places, early voting sites, and ballot drop boxes during voting periods, with exceptions for peace officers and for security personnel performing duties. The restriction is buffered by a defined distance from the entrance to the polling place (varies; see NRS 293.730).

This is a relatively new restriction; signage at polling sites is required under the statute, and a person who knowingly enters with a firearm commits a misdemeanor under NRS 293.730(4).

Casinos and gaming establishments

Nevada has no statute that categorically prohibits firearm carry on casino property. Casinos are private property, and the property owner may exclude firearms by posting or by request. As of 2026, every major Nevada casino-hotel has posted "no firearms" signage at primary public entrances. Entry with a firearm after notice (or after being asked to leave) is trespass under NRS 207.200 (a misdemeanor).

Posted notice is enforceable against open and concealed carry alike. The casino's security force may detain a person committing the trespass under Nevada citizen-arrest law (NRS 171.126), and the person may be referred to Metro or other local police for citation.

Bars and restaurants serving alcohol

Nevada does not categorically prohibit firearm carry in establishments that serve alcohol. A CFP holder may carry concealed in a restaurant or bar, subject to:

• NRS 202.257 - The person must not be under the influence above the statutory limit while carrying;
• The proprietor's right to exclude firearms as a private property owner;
• The federal alcohol-and-firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(3) for unlawful drug users, which can include heavy alcohol use combined with other federally prohibited categories.

Many bars and restaurants in Nevada post against firearms; a few do not. The CFP holder is responsible for checking the signage.

Private property generally

A private property owner or person in lawful control may exclude firearms from their premises. Posting is not itself a criminal offense for the carrier on entry; the criminal exposure arises when the carrier refuses to leave when asked, at which point the conduct becomes trespass under NRS 207.200.

Some posting language (e.g., "30.06" Texas-style notices) is not required in Nevada; any conspicuous notice at a primary entrance is sufficient. A verbal request to leave from the property owner or the owner's designated agent is also sufficient.

Hospitals and mental health facilities

Nevada does not categorically restrict firearm possession in hospitals, but most hospitals post against firearms as private property. Mental health facilities licensed under NRS Chapter 433A or 433B are functionally restricted under their licensing terms; possession by a person who is a patient (involuntary or voluntary) may also create a separate ground for the federal prohibitor under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(4).

Native American tribal land

Tribal sovereignty applies on reservations of the Las Vegas Paiute, Walker River Paiute, Pyramid Lake Paiute, Duck Valley, Yerington, Reno-Sparks, Battle Mountain, and other federally recognized tribes within Nevada. Tribal law governs firearm possession on trust land within reservation boundaries; tribal codes vary. CFP holders crossing through reservation land for travel should check the relevant tribal code, particularly when entering tribal gaming facilities (which typically post against firearms as a private-property matter and may have additional tribal restrictions).

Federal park and forest land

National parks within Nevada (Great Basin, Death Valley sections in Nye County) follow 54 U.S.C. Section 104906: a person may possess a firearm in a national park if the person is not prohibited and the possession is in compliance with the law of the state in which the park is located. A Nevada CFP holder may possess and carry concealed in a national park within Nevada.

Federal buildings within national parks (visitor centers, ranger stations) remain subject to 18 U.S.C. Section 930 and are restricted regardless of state law.

National forests (Humboldt-Toiyabe, Spring Mountains) follow the same state-law rule for general possession on forest land. Forest Service buildings remain section 930 restricted.

BLM land in Nevada is generally open to firearm possession by anyone not prohibited under federal law; specific BLM districts may impose target-shooting restrictions in posted areas under 43 C.F.R. Section 8365.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.265 - School grounds, childcare facilities.
• NRS 202.3673 - State and local government buildings; courts; jails.
• NRS 202.350 - Concealed carry without permit (general prohibition).
• NRS 202.257 - Under the influence while carrying.
• NRS 207.200 - Trespass.
• NRS 293.730 - Polling places (AB 354).
• NRS 268.418, NRS 244.364 - Preemption (state-law restrictions are exclusive; local jurisdictions may not add to or subtract from this list).
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q) - Gun-Free School Zones Act.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 930 - Federal facilities.
• 49 U.S.C. Section 46505 - Aircraft and secured airport areas.
• 54 U.S.C. Section 104906 - Firearms in national parks.
• 39 C.F.R. Section 232.1(l) - U.S. Post Offices.
• AB 354 (2023) - Polling place restrictions.

See VEHICLE_CARRY for in-vehicle rules (separate from PROHIBITED_PLACES), TRANSPORT for transport across prohibited places, and STORAGE for storage requirements that interact with prohibited-place rules.

Carrying a Firearm in a Vehicle in Nevada

The Headline

Nevada law treats a private passenger vehicle similarly to a private residence for purposes of firearm carry. A person who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry that firearm - loaded or unloaded, openly or concealed - in their own private motor vehicle without a Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP). This rule flows from the structure of NRS 202.350, which criminalizes concealed carry on or about the person in public, and from the explicit treatment of vehicles in NRS 202.350(3)(a) and related case law.

A CFP is required to carry a firearm concealed on the person when entering or exiting a vehicle in public, or when carrying the firearm concealed off the vehicle.

Statutory framework

NRS 202.350(1)(d) prohibits carrying a concealed firearm without a permit. NRS 202.350(3) provides exceptions. Subsection (3)(a) excepts a person who is:

"carrying or possessing the firearm or weapon while traveling to or from a place where the firearm or weapon is being used for lawful purposes."

Nevada appellate courts (see, e.g., State v. Newton, 130 Nev. 472 (2014), and related opinions) have interpreted the general framework of NRS 202.350 to permit a person not prohibited from possessing a firearm to keep a firearm in the vehicle, loaded or unloaded, without invoking the concealed-carry prohibition. The vehicle is treated as an extension of the person's lawful private space for these purposes.

This does not mean the firearm can be hidden on the person while the person is in the vehicle. The distinction:

• A firearm in the vehicle (e.g., in the glove box, console, or seat pocket) is not "on or about the person" for NRS 202.350 purposes; no permit required (for a non-prohibited person).
• A firearm on the person (e.g., in a holster on the belt, in a coat pocket, in a fanny pack worn) is "on or about the person." If concealed, a CFP is required.

A CFP holder may carry openly or concealed, in or out of the vehicle, without legal distinction.

What you can carry where

Within a private passenger vehicle in Nevada, a non-prohibited adult may have:

• A handgun in the glove compartment, center console, locking storage, or unsecured in any other compartment.
• A long gun in the cargo area, back seat, or trunk. Long-gun storage during transport is otherwise unrestricted by state law except in the limited hunting-vehicle context (NRS 503.165, below).
• Ammunition in any compartment.
• A loaded firearm, including a chambered round.

There is no Nevada statutory requirement that the firearm in a vehicle be unloaded, stored in a separate compartment from ammunition, locked in a hard-sided case, or kept in any specific orientation. (These rules apply in some other states, but not Nevada.)

Hunting overlay - NRS 503.165

When using a vehicle in connection with hunting, NRS 503.165 prohibits possession of a loaded rifle or shotgun in or on a motor vehicle that is in motion on a public road or highway. The restriction is hunting-specific (Title 50 of NRS) and applies during a hunt or while traveling to or from a hunting location with hunting equipment. It is a misdemeanor.

NRS 503.165 does not apply to handguns. A loaded handgun in a vehicle is lawful even during hunting travel.

The restriction also does not apply to:

• A peace officer in the performance of duty;
• A person on private property hunting under lawful authority;
• A person possessing the firearm for a purpose other than hunting (e.g., a CCW holder carrying for personal protection during travel to or from a hunting location).

CFP holder advantages in vehicles

A Nevada CFP holder enjoys the following additional flexibility:

• The holder may carry concealed on the person while entering or exiting the vehicle (e.g., pumping gas, walking from the car to a building) without violating NRS 202.350.
• The holder may move the firearm from a vehicle compartment to the holder's belt or holster at will.
• The holder is exempt from the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. Section 922(q)(2)(B)(ii)) in the 1,000-foot zone around schools while in the vehicle, provided the holder is otherwise lawfully driving on a public road.

Without a CFP, a non-prohibited person carrying in a vehicle must:

• Keep the firearm in the vehicle compartment, not on the person.
• Not approach within 1,000 feet of a school except in transit on a public road open to traffic (Gun-Free School Zones Act exception for unloaded firearm in locked container, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q)(2)(B)(iii) - but this requires the firearm to be unloaded and in a locked container, a stricter standard than Nevada state law).

Loaded firearm in a vehicle - rental, ride-share, and shared vehicles

The Nevada vehicle-as-extension rule applies to a vehicle the person lawfully occupies, including:

• The person's own vehicle;
• A rental vehicle the person has lawfully rented;
• A vehicle the person is driving with the owner's permission;
• A friend's vehicle while the person is a passenger with consent.

It does not extend to a public-transit bus, a school bus, or a taxi/Uber/Lyft where the carrier is a passenger and the vehicle is operated commercially - though the analysis here is nuanced. A passenger in a ride-share vehicle has no special vehicle exception under NRS 202.350; the carrier is a passenger in someone else's vehicle for hire and is subject to the operator's policies. Most ride-share operators (Uber, Lyft) prohibit firearms in their policies; violation is a contract violation, not a criminal offense in itself, but the driver may refuse service and the carrier may be ejected.

A CFP holder may carry concealed in a ride-share vehicle subject to the operator's policy.

Schools and vehicles

NRS 202.265 prohibits firearm possession on school grounds, including school parking lots. The unloaded-firearm-in-vehicle exception in NRS 202.265(3) requires that the firearm be unloaded and that the vehicle be in transit through school grounds for lawful purposes. A CFP holder dropping off a child at school must either:

• Leave the firearm at home;
• Keep the firearm unloaded and stored in a vehicle compartment while on school grounds, and not exit the vehicle while carrying; or
• Park off school grounds and walk in.

The safest reading is to not enter school grounds with a loaded firearm in any compartment, given the strictness of NRS 202.265 and the felony exposure under NRS 202.265(2) for repeat or aggravated offenses.

Concealed in compartment vs. in plain sight

There is no Nevada statutory preference for one over the other. A firearm in the glove box (concealed from view) is lawful for a non-permit holder; a firearm on the passenger seat (in plain view) is also lawful. The compartment-or-visible distinction does not change the analysis under NRS 202.350.

Stopped by police while carrying in vehicle

Under NRS 202.3667, a CFP holder must produce the permit and government-issued photo ID on lawful peace-officer request. Nevada has no statutory duty to volunteer the existence of a firearm at the start of a traffic stop. The peace officer may ask, and the holder must answer truthfully. See DUTY_TO_INFORM.

A non-CFP holder carrying lawfully in the vehicle has no permit to produce but should respond to peace-officer questions truthfully and follow all lawful officer instructions.

Federal overlays for vehicle carry

• 18 U.S.C. Section 926A (Firearms Owners Protection Act, FOPA): an affirmative defense to state and local restrictions for interstate transport of an unloaded firearm in a locked container, ammunition stored separately, when traveling between two states where possession is lawful. This is a federal affirmative defense, not pretrial immunity, and does not preempt Nevada's more permissive rule for intrastate vehicle carry.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q): Gun-Free School Zones Act. CFP holders exempt within Nevada.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g): prohibited persons cannot possess in any circumstance, including in a vehicle.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.350 - Carrying concealed without permit; vehicle exceptions.
• NRS 202.3667 - CFP holder's duty to carry permit and ID.
• NRS 202.265 - School grounds restriction.
• NRS 503.165 - Loaded long gun in vehicle during hunting (Title 50).
• NRS 207.200 - Trespass (applies to posted parking lots).
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926A - FOPA interstate transport.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q) - Gun-Free School Zones Act.

See TRANSPORT for long-distance and interstate transport, CONCEALED_CARRY for on-person concealed rules, OPEN_CARRY for unconcealed on-person rules, and PROHIBITED_PLACES for the parking-lot interactions with prohibited locations.

Transporting Firearms in Nevada and Across State Lines

The Headline

Nevada places few restrictions on transport of firearms within the state. A non-prohibited adult may transport a firearm, loaded or unloaded, openly or concealed (when concealed, only with a CFP), in their own private vehicle. Interstate transport is governed by the federal Firearms Owners Protection Act (FOPA), 18 U.S.C. Section 926A, which provides an affirmative defense for transport of an unloaded firearm in a locked container, ammunition stored separately, when traveling between two states where the possession is lawful.

For air travel, 49 U.S.C. Section 46505 and TSA regulations at 49 C.F.R. Section 1540.111 govern: firearms must be declared, unloaded, in a hard-sided locked case, with ammunition packed separately, in checked baggage only.

Intrastate transport in Nevada

A person who lawfully possesses a firearm in Nevada may transport it within the state by:

• Private motor vehicle: any compartment; loaded or unloaded; no locked-container requirement. See VEHICLE_CARRY.
• Foot or bicycle: open carry without permit; concealed carry requires CFP.
• Public transit: Las Vegas Monorail and RTC buses post against firearm carry; firearm transport on transit is private-property restricted (refusal-to-leave is trespass under NRS 207.200). RTC also has its own armed-security policy.
• Taxis and ride-share: operator's policy governs (most operators prohibit firearms in their terms of service).
• Rental vehicles: same rules as a personally owned vehicle. The rental company's policy may add restrictions; check the rental agreement.

There is no statewide locked-container requirement for transport of a handgun or long gun in a private vehicle in Nevada, unlike states such as Massachusetts or New York. A non-prohibited person may transport with the firearm loose on the seat, in the trunk, in the glove compartment, or anywhere else convenient.

Long gun in motor vehicle during hunting: NRS 503.165 prohibits a loaded rifle or shotgun in or on a motor vehicle that is in motion on a public road or highway when the person is hunting. This is a hunting-specific rule under Title 50 (Wildlife), not a general carry restriction, and does not apply to handguns. See VEHICLE_CARRY.

Interstate transport into and out of Nevada

A person traveling through Nevada by vehicle from one state to another generally has the protection of 18 U.S.C. Section 926A (FOPA). FOPA provides:

"Notwithstanding any State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a separate compartment from the driver's compartment, the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console."

Key elements of FOPA protection:

1. The traveler must be a non-prohibited person. A felon, fugitive, etc., loses FOPA protection.
2. Possession must be lawful at both the origin and destination states. A person traveling from Texas (lawful) to California with a magazine over California's lawful capacity is not protected for the over-capacity magazine.
3. The firearm must be unloaded during transport.
4. Neither the firearm nor ammunition may be "readily accessible" from the passenger compartment. In a sedan or van, this means the firearm and ammunition must be in the trunk or other compartment separate from the driver/passenger area. In a vehicle without a separate trunk (e.g., a pickup truck without a covered bed, or an SUV), the firearm and ammunition must be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.
5. The transit must be for a lawful purpose. Stopping for fuel, food, rest, or routine repairs is generally consistent with "transit"; an extended stay (e.g., overnight stay in a hotel) may take the traveler outside the FOPA framework, particularly if local law would have prohibited the firearm at the stop location.

FOPA is an affirmative defense at trial, not pretrial immunity. A traveler stopped by state police may still be cited or arrested; the FOPA defense is raised at trial. Some courts (notably in New York and New Jersey) have applied FOPA narrowly; the Ninth Circuit (Nevada is in the Ninth Circuit) has applied FOPA more broadly.

Air travel - declaring firearms in checked baggage

Federal law and TSA regulations govern firearm transport by air. Per 49 C.F.R. Section 1540.111:

• Firearm must be unloaded.
• Firearm must be in a hard-sided locked container. Soft-sided cases are not compliant.
• Container must be locked with a key or combination known only to the passenger. TSA may need to inspect; if so, the passenger must be present to open the container at TSA request.
• Ammunition must be in a separate hard-sided container, in approved packaging (factory-original cardboard box, plastic ammunition box, fiber boxes specifically designed for ammunition). Magazines must also be stored in approved packaging; many travelers store magazines in the same hard case as the firearm.
• The firearm and ammunition must be declared to the airline at the check-in counter. The passenger signs an unloaded-firearm declaration; the airline tag is placed inside the case or on the case itself.
• Firearms cannot be transported in carry-on baggage. A loaded firearm or a firearm in a carry-on bag is a federal offense under 49 U.S.C. Section 46505, punishable by up to 10 years.

Some airlines have additional restrictions (e.g., a per-flight handgun limit, restrictions on certain calibers, magazine capacity limits on specific routes). Confirm with the airline 72 hours before departure.

Reaching the airport with a firearm: a CFP holder may carry concealed in the public (pre-screening) area of the airport. Before entering the security checkpoint, the firearm must be declared and transferred to checked baggage. Carrying past the TSA checkpoint with a firearm in carry-on is a federal felony under 49 U.S.C. Section 46505; the carrier will be cited, the firearm seized, and any CFP may be revoked.

Train travel - Amtrak

Amtrak permits transport of firearms in checked baggage on routes where checked-baggage service is available, with declaration similar to air-travel rules. Firearms must be unloaded, in a hard-sided locked container, with ammunition packed separately. Amtrak charges a small handling fee.

Some Amtrak routes (e.g., commuter rail and short-distance routes) do not offer checked baggage; on those routes, firearm transport is prohibited. The Coast Starlight, California Zephyr, and Sunset Limited (which serve Nevada via the Reno station) do offer checked baggage and accept declared firearms.

Postal shipment of firearms

The U.S. Postal Service has restrictive rules on firearm shipment under federal law:

• Long guns (rifles, shotguns) may be shipped USPS via registered mail or first-class mail with appropriate packaging and labeling. The sender must be a non-prohibited person; the recipient must be a federally licensed firearm dealer (FFL) unless other limited exceptions apply.
• Handguns generally cannot be shipped USPS by a non-licensed individual; handguns must be shipped via UPS or FedEx through an FFL, or by an FFL directly. The 18 U.S.C. Section 922(a) framework applies.

A private individual shipping a firearm should ship through an FFL on both ends of the transaction to remain compliant with federal interstate transfer rules.

Shipping ammunition

Ammunition may be shipped by USPS Parcel Post (not Priority or First-Class), UPS, or FedEx. Restrictions:

• Cannot be shipped by air (USPS) - ground only;
• Maximum weight limits per package;
• Hazmat declaration may be required;
• Recipient must be a person of legal age (18 for rifle/shotgun ammunition, 21 for handgun ammunition under federal law).

Common transport violations to avoid

• Forgetting a magazine or stray cartridge in carry-on baggage. TSA detects this with regularity at McCarran/Reid International (Las Vegas) and Reno-Tahoe International. The traveler is cited; the cartridge or magazine is seized.
• Transporting through a posted-restricted location (school grounds, federal facility, posted government building). NRS 202.3673 and federal 18 U.S.C. Section 930 apply.
• Stopping overnight in California with a Nevada-lawful firearm or magazine that exceeds California limits. California law applies during the stay.
• Stopping in a casino parking lot with firearms in the vehicle in plain view. The casino as private property may exclude even by signage on the parking lot; refusal to leave the lot when asked is trespass.
• Crossing into Mexico (Las Vegas area, ~250 miles to the Mexican border) with a firearm or ammunition. Mexico's gun laws are extremely restrictive; even a single cartridge can result in a multi-year sentence in Mexican prison.

Federal LEOSA transport

A qualified active or qualified retired LEO carrying under 18 U.S.C. Section 926C may transport a firearm interstate under the LEOSA framework. LEOSA preempts state and local transport restrictions for the qualified officer but does not override federal facility restrictions (18 U.S.C. Section 930) or aircraft restrictions (49 U.S.C. Section 46505).

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.350 - Carrying concealed without permit (intrastate baseline).
• NRS 503.165 - Loaded long gun in vehicle during hunting (Title 50).
• NRS 202.265 - School grounds.
• NRS 202.3673 - Prohibited locations.
• NRS 207.200 - Trespass.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(a) - Federal interstate transfer rules.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926A - FOPA interstate transport.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926C - LEOSA.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 930 - Federal facilities.
• 49 U.S.C. Section 46505 - Aircraft transport.
• 49 C.F.R. Section 1540.111 - TSA firearm-in-checked-baggage rules.

See VEHICLE_CARRY for intrastate vehicle carry, STORAGE for at-rest storage during travel, and PROHIBITED_PLACES for the transport-affecting location restrictions.

Nevada Firearm Storage Requirements

The Headline

Nevada has no mandatory safe-storage law for adults. A firearm owner is not required to store firearms in a safe, lockbox, or with a trigger lock when at home. There are, however, negligent-storage and child-access exposure under NRS 202.300 (negligent storage of firearms accessible to minors), and federal storage and locking-device requirements at the point of sale under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(z) that affect dealer transactions.

For a CFP holder, sensible at-home storage is a best practice, not a legal requirement. For households with children, storage that prevents minor access is both prudent and reduces criminal exposure under NRS 202.300.

NRS 202.300 - Negligent storage of firearm where child can access

NRS 202.300(1) provides that a person who is the owner or person in charge of a residence is guilty of a misdemeanor if:

"The person knows or has reasonable cause to know that a child under 18 years of age has gained or is likely to gain access to a firearm, and the person negligently stores or leaves the firearm in a manner that allows the child to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the owner or person in charge of the residence."

The statute is negligent-storage rather than strict safe-storage: a person is liable only if they:

• Knew or had reasonable cause to know that a child under 18 was likely to access the firearm; and
• Stored the firearm in a manner that allowed access; and
• The child gained access without permission.

Penalty (NRS 202.300(2)):

• First offense: gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days county jail, fine up to $2,000).
• Second or subsequent offense: Category C felony (1-5 years state prison, fine up to $10,000).
• Enhanced penalty if the child uses the firearm and causes death or great bodily injury.

Affirmative defenses to NRS 202.300

NRS 202.300(3) provides several affirmative defenses:

1. The firearm was kept in a locked container or in a location that a reasonable person would believe to be secure.
2. The firearm was kept in a location which a child could not reasonably gain access.
3. The firearm was affixed with a trigger lock or other locking device designed to prevent unauthorized use.
4. The child gained access by illegal entry or unauthorized use of force against the person or property of the firearm owner.
5. The child used or possessed the firearm pursuant to lawful activity (e.g., supervised hunting with the parent or guardian, lawful target practice at a supervised range).

The "reasonable person" standard is fact-specific. A handgun in a bedroom drawer with a 3-year-old in the house is likely not "reasonable"; the same handgun in a bedroom drawer with no children in the household and a 12-year-old who has been trained on firearm safety and lives there may meet the reasonable standard, depending on the facts.

What "child" means

NRS 202.300 applies to access by a person under 18 years of age. This is broader than the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (which uses school-age children) and broader than some other state child-access statutes (which use 14 or 16).

Federal storage requirement at point of sale - 18 U.S.C. Section 922(z)

Federal law requires a federally licensed firearm dealer to provide, with the sale of any handgun, a "secure gun storage or safety device" to the buyer. 18 U.S.C. Section 922(z) defines a secure storage device as a safe, lockbox, gun cabinet, or trigger lock that prevents the firearm from being operated.

This obligation falls on the dealer at the point of sale. A buyer purchasing a handgun from a Nevada FFL receives the storage device at no additional cost beyond the listed retail price.

The federal requirement applies only to handgun sales; long-gun sales are not subject to the federal storage-device-at-sale rule.

Private transfer storage device

Under Nevada's universal background check rule (NRS 202.2547), most private firearm transfers must be processed through a licensed dealer. The dealer applies the federal 18 U.S.C. Section 922(z) storage-device-at-sale rule for handguns. For long guns transferred privately through an FFL, no federal storage device is required.

Storage for CFP holders - best practices

A CFP holder typically chooses between:

1. On-body carry: the firearm is on the person when not in immediate use. This is the most common pattern.
2. In-vehicle storage: the firearm is in the vehicle in a quick-access compartment (glove box, center console) or in a vehicle-mounted lockbox. Nevada does not require a locked container in a vehicle; a quick-access lockbox is a best practice for theft prevention.
3. At-home storage: in a quick-access safe, gun cabinet, or lockable drawer. Many CFP holders use a biometric or combination quick-access safe in the bedroom for night-time defensive readiness.

For a household with children, the at-home safe must be child-resistant. Combination safes, biometric safes, and key-locked safes generally qualify. A firearm left loose in a nightstand drawer with children in the house exposes the owner to NRS 202.300 liability.

Vehicle break-ins and stolen firearms

Nevada saw a significant increase in vehicle break-ins targeting firearms in 2023-2024 (per LVMPD and Reno Police Department reports). Best practices to reduce risk:

• Do not leave firearms in unattended vehicles overnight or in parking lots. Take the firearm with you if practical.
• If the firearm must remain in the vehicle, use a vehicle-mounted lockbox (e.g., a bolt-attached steel box accessible only via key, combination, or biometric).
• Report stolen firearms to local police immediately. Nevada does not require firearm registration, but reporting a stolen firearm creates a record that protects the original owner if the firearm is later used in a crime.

Nevada does not have a statutory duty to report a stolen firearm. A few states (notably Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts) require reporting within a defined timeframe (often 24-72 hours). Nevada has no such statute.

Storage of firearms at a recreational shooting range

When at a public or club shooting range, firearms should be:

• Holstered when not in active use on the firing line;
• Cased when transporting between the parking lot and the firing line, in accordance with range rules;
• Unloaded with action open when on the firing line and not actively engaged in shooting (e.g., during cease-fires).

Range-specific rules supplement state law; violation of range rules is a contract violation between the shooter and the range operator, not a state-law offense.

Storage in commercial premises

A licensed firearms dealer (FFL) in Nevada must comply with federal storage requirements at the FFL premises under 27 C.F.R. Section 478.99. State law does not impose additional storage requirements on the FFL beyond those federal rules.

A person storing a firearm in a commercial storage unit (e.g., a Public Storage facility) should review the unit operator's policy. Most unit operators have policies addressing firearm storage; some prohibit it. State law does not regulate firearm storage in commercial storage units beyond the general rules above.

Storage during travel

When traveling, see TRANSPORT. The general rule: a firearm in transit through Nevada is subject to FOPA (18 U.S.C. Section 926A) requirements (unloaded, in a locked container, in a compartment separate from the driver/passenger area). For air travel, TSA rules at 49 C.F.R. Section 1540.111 apply (hard-sided locked container, unloaded, declared at check-in).

For a CFP holder traveling within Nevada, no locked-container requirement applies during the period of vehicle transit; the firearm may be loaded and accessible. However, when leaving the vehicle in a parking lot, the firearm should be secured to reduce theft risk.

Storage in firearm-prohibited locations

A CFP holder visiting a prohibited location (school grounds, posted government building, secured airport area) must secure the firearm outside the prohibited area. This typically means:

• Locking the firearm in the trunk or other compartment of the vehicle parked outside the prohibited area;
• Returning the firearm to the home before visiting the prohibited location;
• Using a long-term secure storage option (e.g., a vehicle lockbox in the parking lot, an off-site storage facility).

The CFP holder is responsible for ensuring the firearm is not in their possession or on their person when entering the prohibited area. Storage of the firearm in the parking lot is a common solution but creates theft exposure.

Federal storage rules - Form 4473 and ATF inspection

A federal firearms dealer maintains records of all firearm transfers (ATF Form 4473) and must retain those records for the life of the FFL plus 20 years after surrender. Dealers must also secure inventory firearms in a manner consistent with ATF compliance inspections (typically a safe, vault, or locked room with limited access).

A private firearm owner is not subject to ATF inspection of storage practices for personal use.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.300 - Negligent storage of firearm accessible to minors.
• NRS 202.2547 - Universal background check (AB 291); private transfer through FFL.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(z) - Dealer's storage-device-at-sale requirement for handguns.
• 27 C.F.R. Section 478.99 - FFL premises storage requirements.
• 49 C.F.R. Section 1540.111 - TSA aircraft transport storage rules.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926A - FOPA interstate transport storage rules.

See VEHICLE_CARRY for in-vehicle storage, TRANSPORT for travel storage, RED_FLAG for protective-order firearm relinquishment storage, and OTHER for negligent-storage-related civil liability.

Nevada Use of Force and Self-Defense

The Headline

Nevada's use-of-force framework is codified in NRS 200.120 through 200.200 and is supplemented by extensive case law from the Nevada Supreme Court. Nevada is a Stand Your Ground state: a person who is lawfully present in a location and not the original aggressor has no duty to retreat before using force, including deadly force, when the elements of self-defense are met. The Castle Doctrine is codified in NRS 200.120 and creates a strong presumption of justification when force is used in defense of the home.

The state recognizes both self-defense (NRS 200.200) and justifiable homicide (NRS 200.120 and NRS 200.160) as complete defenses to criminal liability for the use of force.

Self-defense - the general rule (NRS 200.200)

Under NRS 200.200, a homicide that would otherwise be murder or manslaughter is justifiable as self-defense if:

1. The person had a reasonable belief that they faced an imminent threat of death or great bodily injury; and
2. The force used was necessary to repel the threat; and
3. The person was not the original aggressor, or if they were, they had withdrawn from the conflict in a manner sufficient to communicate withdrawal to the original aggressor.

The "reasonable belief" element is judged from the perspective of a reasonable person in the defender's position, with knowledge of the same facts and circumstances. Subjective fear alone is not enough; the fear must be objectively reasonable.

The "imminence" element requires that the threat be present and pending, not hypothetical or future. A threat to "come back and kill you tomorrow" is not imminent and does not justify present force.

The "necessity" element requires that the level of force used be proportional to the threat. Deadly force may be used only against a deadly threat or a threat of great bodily injury, not against a slap, a verbal threat, or a minor physical contact.

Stand Your Ground - no duty to retreat

Nevada codified the no-duty-to-retreat rule in NRS 200.120(3) (added by SB 175, 2015). A person who is not the original aggressor and who is lawfully present at the location has no duty to retreat before using deadly force, provided the other elements of self-defense are met.

The provision states (paraphrasing the statutory text):

"A person is not required to retreat before using deadly force if the person: (a) Is not the original aggressor; (b) Has a right to be present at the location where deadly force is used; and (c) Is not actively engaged in conduct in furtherance of criminal activity at the time deadly force is used."

The third element is critical: a person engaged in a drug deal, an active burglary, or other ongoing criminal activity at the time of the encounter cannot invoke Stand Your Ground. Self-defense by a non-original-aggressor remains available but the no-duty-to-retreat doctrine does not apply, and the trier of fact may consider whether retreat was a reasonable option.

Castle Doctrine (NRS 200.120 and 200.130)

Nevada's Castle Doctrine is codified in NRS 200.120 and NRS 200.130. The doctrine provides:

NRS 200.120(1) - A homicide is justifiable if committed in necessary defense of the actor or of any other person, in the dwelling of the actor or in the actor's immediate presence, or in the dwelling of the person whom the actor is defending, when there is reasonable ground to apprehend that the assailant's design is to commit a felony or to do some great personal injury to the inhabitant.

NRS 200.130 - A homicide is justifiable when committed by a person in defending the person, the person's family, or any other person within the person's habitation, against any one who manifestly intends and endeavors, in a violent, riotous, or tumultuous manner, to enter the habitation for the purpose of assaulting or offering personal violence to any person dwelling or being therein.

The presumption under Castle Doctrine: if an intruder enters or attempts to enter the actor's dwelling, the actor may presume the intruder intends to commit a felony or to inflict great personal injury, and the actor is justified in using deadly force. The presumption is rebuttable but operates in the actor's favor at trial.

Dwelling under Nevada case law includes:

• The actor's home, including all enclosed structures attached or appurtenant to the residence;
• The actor's vehicle if occupied at the time of the attempted entry (some appellate authority treats an occupied motor vehicle as a "dwelling" for Castle Doctrine purposes; see, e.g., Nevada Supreme Court interpretations of NRS 200.120 in vehicle contexts);
• The actor's place of business if the actor lawfully occupies and works there.

The Castle Doctrine does not apply if:

• The intruder is a lawful occupant of the dwelling (e.g., a co-tenant in a domestic dispute, though self-defense outside the Castle Doctrine framework may still apply);
• The actor invited the intruder in and a dispute then arose (the entry was lawful initially);
• The intruder is a law enforcement officer in the performance of duty (provided the officer's entry is lawful or the actor knew or should have known of the officer's identity).

Defense of others (NRS 200.160)

NRS 200.160(2) provides that a homicide is also justifiable when committed in the lawful defense of:

• The actor's husband, wife, or spouse;
• The actor's parent;
• The actor's child;
• The actor's brother or sister;
• The actor's master or mistress (employer);
• The actor's servant (employee);
• Or any other person in their presence or company,

against one who manifestly intends or endeavors, by violence or surprise, to commit a felony, or against any person who manifestly intends and endeavors, in a violent, riotous, tumultuous, or surreptitious manner, to enter the habitation of another for the purpose of offering violence to any person therein.

The defense-of-others standard is identical to the defense-of-self standard: reasonable belief of imminent threat, proportional force, not the original aggressor.

Defense of property

Nevada distinguishes carefully between defense of person and defense of property. Deadly force may not be used to defend mere property absent some additional element creating a threat of death or great bodily harm. A homeowner may use non-deadly force to defend personal property under NRS 200.200's general necessity framework, but cannot shoot a person fleeing with a stolen item.

Exception: deadly force is justified to prevent a dangerous felony (e.g., armed robbery, kidnapping, sexual assault), under NRS 200.160(1), because such felonies inherently involve a threat to the person.

Provocation and the original aggressor

A person who provokes a confrontation generally cannot claim self-defense. NRS 200.130 and case law require that the actor not be the "original aggressor." If the actor is the original aggressor:

• The actor must withdraw from the conflict in a manner sufficient to communicate withdrawal to the original target;
• After withdrawal, if the original target continues the attack, the actor may then use defensive force.

A person who escalates a verbal argument into a physical confrontation may be deemed the original aggressor for those purposes, even if the other party physically attacked first.

Reimbursement of defense costs

Unlike some states (e.g., Washington under RCW 9A.16.110), Nevada does not have a statute that automatically reimburses the criminal-defense costs of a defendant acquitted on self-defense grounds. A defendant who prevails at trial bears their own legal costs.

Civil immunity for justified force

Nevada does provide partial civil immunity. NRS 41.095 provides that the assertion of self-defense in a civil action arising from a use of force is governed by the same standards as in a criminal action. A defendant acquitted on self-defense grounds may rely on that determination as evidence in any subsequent civil suit, though the standards of proof differ (preponderance vs. beyond reasonable doubt). The civil acquittal is not automatic; the defendant must affirmatively raise self-defense as a defense in any wrongful-death or assault civil action.

Pre-trial immunity

Nevada does not have a Florida-style pretrial criminal-immunity hearing for self-defense claims. Self-defense remains an affirmative defense raised at trial. The prosecution still has the burden of disproving self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt once the defendant has put the defense properly into the case.

Specific statutes that intersect with use of force

• NRS 202.320 - Brandishing. Drawing or exhibiting a firearm "in a rude, angry, or threatening manner" is a misdemeanor. Brandishing in self-defense (e.g., drawing to deter an imminent threat without firing) is generally not chargeable as brandishing if the defensive purpose is established.
• NRS 202.275 - Discharge of a firearm in or upon a public place. A discharge of a firearm in a public place is a misdemeanor unless excused by lawful purpose (which includes self-defense).
• NRS 200.471 - Assault with a deadly weapon. Pointing a firearm at another with apparent ability to inflict harm is a Category B felony unless excused by self-defense.

Federal overlays

The Lautenberg Amendment (18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9)) prohibits firearm possession by a person convicted of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Rahimi (2024) upheld 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(8) (the domestic-violence-restraining-order prohibitor) against a Second Amendment challenge. These federal restrictions apply in Nevada to anyone subject to them, regardless of the actor's state-law self-defense claim.

Key statutory references

• NRS 200.120 - Justifiable homicide; Castle Doctrine; Stand Your Ground.
• NRS 200.130 - Justifiable homicide in defense of habitation.
• NRS 200.160 - Additional cases of justifiable homicide.
• NRS 200.200 - Right of self-defense; necessary force.
• NRS 200.471 - Assault with a deadly weapon.
• NRS 202.275 - Discharge of firearm in public place.
• NRS 202.320 - Brandishing.
• NRS 41.095 - Civil immunity coordination.
• SB 175 (2015) - Codified Stand Your Ground.

See CASTLE_DOCTRINE for the home-defense framework in detail, OPEN_CARRY for the lawful carry baseline, and PROHIBITED_PLACES for the locations where carry and consequently defensive use of force are restricted.

Nevada Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground

The Headline

Nevada codifies both the Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground in NRS 200.120. A person who is lawfully present, not the original aggressor, and not actively engaged in criminal conduct has no duty to retreat before using deadly force when the elements of self-defense are met. In the home, a homeowner enjoys a rebuttable presumption that an intruder intended to commit a felony or great personal injury, justifying the use of deadly force.

The Castle Doctrine - statutory text

NRS 200.120(1) provides:

"Justifiable homicide is the killing of a human being in necessary self-defense, or in defense of habitation, property or person, against one who manifestly intends or endeavors, by violence or surprise, to commit a felony, or against any person or persons who manifestly intend and endeavor, in a violent, riotous, tumultuous or surreptitious manner, to enter the habitation of another for the purpose of assaulting or offering personal violence to any person dwelling or being therein."

NRS 200.130 further provides:

"A bare fear of any of the offenses mentioned in NRS 200.120, to prevent which the homicide is alleged to have been committed, shall not be sufficient to justify the killing. It must appear that the circumstances were sufficient to excite the fears of a reasonable person and that the party killing really acted under the influence of those fears, and not in a spirit of revenge."

The combination of NRS 200.120 and 200.130 establishes a two-part test for Castle Doctrine homicide:

1. The actor must have acted under a fear of one of the enumerated offenses (felony, violence, or surprise entry of habitation); and
2. The circumstances must have been sufficient to excite the fears of a reasonable person in the actor's position, and the actor must have acted under those fears in fact.

Where the doctrine applies

The Castle Doctrine in Nevada applies to:

• The actor's dwelling, meaning the residence the actor lawfully occupies as a home.
• The dwelling of a person the actor is defending (defense-of-others, NRS 200.160).
• The actor's place of business when the actor lawfully occupies it.
• The actor's occupied motor vehicle (Nevada appellate authority has recognized an occupied vehicle as functioning as a "dwelling" for Castle Doctrine purposes, paralleling the federal FOPA logic and the trend in Florida, Texas, and several other Castle-Doctrine states).

The doctrine does not typically extend to:

• A vacant rental property the actor does not occupy as a residence;
• A guest's quarters in someone else's home (the host has the Castle Doctrine; the guest has only self-defense outside Castle Doctrine);
• Land outside the actor's habitation (a yard, garden, or driveway may be reached by self-defense generally, but the strong Castle presumption fades as the location moves away from the dwelling interior).

The presumption of justification

Under Nevada Castle Doctrine, if an intruder enters or attempts to enter the actor's dwelling unlawfully, a presumption arises that the intruder intended to commit a felony or great personal injury. The presumption operates as follows:

• The prosecution still bears the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt to convict, but the presumption shifts a portion of the persuasion burden to the prosecution.
• The presumption is rebuttable: the prosecution may introduce evidence showing the intruder had no intent to harm (e.g., a confused neighbor, a sleepwalking child, an intoxicated person who entered the wrong house).
• The actor's reasonable belief is judged at the moment of the use of force, with the information available at that moment - not with hindsight knowledge of the intruder's actual intent.

The presumption does not apply if:

• The intruder is a lawful occupant of the dwelling (e.g., a co-tenant);
• The intruder was invited in and a dispute arose afterward (the entry was lawful at its inception);
• The actor knew or had reason to know the intruder was a law enforcement officer in the performance of duty and the entry was lawful.

Stand Your Ground - no duty to retreat (NRS 200.120(3))

SB 175 (2015) added NRS 200.120(3), which codified Nevada's Stand Your Ground rule:

"A person who is not the original aggressor has no duty to retreat before using deadly force as provided in [NRS 200.120] if the person: (a) Is not the original aggressor; (b) Has a right to be present at the location where deadly force is used; and (c) Is not actively engaged in conduct in furtherance of his or her active participation in criminal activity at the time deadly force is used."

The rule means a person who:

• Was attacked while on a public sidewalk;
• In a restaurant they were patronizing;
• In a parking lot they lawfully occupied;
• On a friend's porch they had been invited to;
• Or anywhere else they had a legal right to be,

does not have to retreat before using deadly force, even if retreat was a viable option. The duty-to-retreat doctrine in pre-2015 case law is abrogated for non-aggressors lawfully present.

The "lawfully present" element

The lawfully-present requirement excludes:

• A trespasser on someone else's property;
• A person inside a place from which they have been lawfully excluded (e.g., a former employee at a workplace, a person under a restraining order in proximity to the protected party);
• A person committing an active crime that places them in the location (e.g., a burglar in someone else's home).

Note the asymmetry: a homeowner attacked by an intruder is lawfully present at home; the intruder is not lawfully present at the homeowner's home. The Stand Your Ground analysis applies to the homeowner, not the intruder.

The "criminal activity" disqualifier

The third element - not actively engaged in criminal conduct - is read narrowly. The criminal activity must be active and ongoing at the time of the encounter. A person who committed a crime an hour earlier and was attacked while walking home is not "actively engaged" at the moment of the attack. A person actively dealing drugs at the time of the encounter is.

Self-defense under general principles (NRS 200.200) remains available to a person who is engaged in criminal activity at the time; the no-duty-to-retreat doctrine does not. The trier of fact must then consider whether retreat was a reasonable option and whether the actor was the original aggressor in fact.

The original-aggressor doctrine

A person who provoked the confrontation cannot generally invoke Castle Doctrine or Stand Your Ground. The aggressor must withdraw from the conflict in a manner sufficient to communicate withdrawal to the original target, after which any continued attack by the original target may justify defensive force.

Conduct that may qualify the actor as an "original aggressor" includes:

• Threatening the other party with deadly force first;
• Initiating a physical fight;
• Verbally provoking the other party in a way reasonably calculated to cause a physical response.

Conduct that generally does not make the actor the original aggressor:

• Verbal disagreement, argument, or insult, without more;
• Defensive posturing (e.g., putting up hands, backing away);
• Calling 911 or otherwise notifying police of the encounter.

Interaction with brandishing

Drawing a firearm in self-defense in the actor's own dwelling is generally not chargeable as brandishing under NRS 202.320. Brandishing requires drawing or exhibiting a firearm "in a rude, angry, or threatening manner" outside of self-defense. A defensive draw in the home, with the actor reasonably perceiving an intruder threat, falls outside brandishing.

A defensive draw in public, without firing, is also generally not chargeable as brandishing if the defensive purpose is established. The line is the actor's intent and the reasonableness of the perception of threat.

Pre-trial immunity? No.

Nevada does not offer pre-trial criminal immunity on Castle Doctrine grounds. Unlike Florida (Section 776.032), Nevada law treats Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground as affirmative defenses raised at trial. The defendant must put the defense properly into the case, after which the prosecution bears the burden of disproving justification beyond a reasonable doubt.

Civil consequences

A justifiable homicide finding in a criminal case does not automatically bar a civil wrongful-death action. However:

• NRS 41.095 provides that the same self-defense standards apply in civil and criminal contexts.
• A criminal acquittal on self-defense grounds is admissible as evidence in the civil case.
• A jury in a civil case may still find liability if the preponderance standard tips the other way, even if the same facts produced a criminal acquittal under the beyond-reasonable-doubt standard.

There is no statutory civil-immunity provision in Nevada that automatically dismisses a civil suit based on a criminal Castle Doctrine acquittal.

Key cases

• State v. Newton, 130 Nev. 472 (2014) - Interpretation of NRS 200.120 vehicle-as-dwelling principle.
• Runion v. State, 116 Nev. 1041 (2000) - Self-defense burden of proof; provocation and original-aggressor doctrine.
• Wright v. State, 88 Nev. 460 (1972) - Imminence requirement and reasonable-belief standard.
• Brown v. State, 107 Nev. 164 (1991) - Defense of habitation and Castle Doctrine application.

Key statutory references

• NRS 200.120 - Justifiable homicide; Castle Doctrine; Stand Your Ground.
• NRS 200.130 - Reasonable-person standard for justifiable homicide.
• NRS 200.160 - Additional cases of justifiable homicide.
• NRS 200.200 - Right of self-defense.
• NRS 202.320 - Brandishing.
• NRS 41.095 - Civil and criminal coordination of self-defense.
• SB 175 (2015) - Codified Stand Your Ground.

See USE_OF_FORCE for the broader self-defense framework, OPEN_CARRY for the lawful carry baseline, and PROHIBITED_PLACES for where defensive carry is restricted.

Duty to Inform Officers in Nevada

The Headline

Nevada has no statutory duty to proactively volunteer the existence of a concealed firearm at the start of a peace-officer contact. There is, however, a duty to carry the permit and government-issued photo identification while carrying concealed under NRS 202.3667, and a duty to produce the permit and identification on lawful peace-officer request. If a peace officer asks whether the person is armed, the person must answer truthfully; lying is potentially a separate offense under NRS 197.190 (resisting a public officer) or NRS 199.145 (false representation to a public officer).

This is sometimes called a "duty to respond" rule rather than a "duty to inform" rule.

Statutory framework

NRS 202.3667(1) provides:

"A permittee shall carry the permit, together with proper identification, whenever the permittee is in actual possession of a concealed firearm and shall present the permit and proper identification to a peace officer upon demand."

NRS 202.3667(2) establishes the penalty: failure to carry the permit and proper identification, or failure to present them on lawful peace-officer demand, is a misdemeanor, unless the permittee establishes within five days of citation that the permittee was a valid permittee at the time.

The statute is silent on proactive disclosure at the moment of contact. A CFP holder is not statutorily required to say "I have a firearm" at the start of a traffic stop or pedestrian encounter. The duty is reactive: present the permit and identification when the officer asks.

What "proper identification" means

"Proper identification" under NRS 202.3667 means a government-issued photographic identification, such as:

• A Nevada driver's license or identification card;
• A driver's license or identification card from another state;
• A U.S. passport or passport card;
• A military identification card.

The permit itself is the second document. Both must be carried, both must be presented on demand.

What "upon demand" means

The peace officer's demand must be:

• Lawful: the officer must have a legitimate purpose in conducting the contact (traffic stop, Terry stop, consensual encounter with the permittee's consent, etc.).
• Specific: the officer must ask for the permit and identification, or must clearly communicate that the permittee should produce them.

A passing peace officer who does not request the documents has not made a "demand." The permittee has no duty to flag the officer down.

Practical advice at traffic stops

Best practices for CFP holders during traffic stops, even though not statutorily required:

1. Keep both hands visible on the steering wheel as the officer approaches.
2. Tell the officer where the firearm is, calmly and clearly. Most Nevada peace officers will appreciate the heads-up and will direct the next steps (e.g., "leave it where it is and keep your hands on the wheel").
3. Volunteer the CFP with the driver's license when handing documents over. Officers running the license will commonly see the CFP indicator in the Nevada DMV records, but proactive presentation is professional and avoids the appearance of concealment.
4. Follow the officer's instructions literally and exactly. Do not reach for the firearm unless the officer specifically directs.
5. Do not lie if the officer asks whether the firearm is loaded, where it is, or whether you are carrying. Truthful answers are required; misleading answers may be charged separately.

Most Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department training and Reno Police Department training instructs officers to handle armed-CFP-holder contacts professionally and without unnecessary escalation, recognizing that CFP holders have undergone background checks and training.

What if the officer is not asking?

A CFP holder is not required to volunteer at a casual police contact (e.g., a question about a witness statement, a routine welfare check). Volunteering is optional but courteous; many officers prefer to know.

What if the officer is hostile?

If the officer believes the contact is reasonable suspicion of a crime or a Terry stop, the CFP holder remains required to produce the permit and identification on demand. The CFP holder should:

• Remain calm and compliant;
• Not make sudden movements toward the firearm;
• Not argue the legality of the stop at the scene (raise such issues later, with counsel);
• Document the encounter (badge number, time, location) after release.

If the encounter escalates or if the officer makes an arrest without probable cause, the CFP holder should comply at the scene and challenge the legality in court. Physical resistance is almost always a separate criminal offense (NRS 197.190).

Other-state permit holders carrying in Nevada under reciprocity

A person carrying in Nevada under another state's permit recognized under NRS 202.3688 is subject to the same duty-to-respond rules as a Nevada CFP holder. They must carry the permit and government-issued photo ID, and must present both on lawful peace-officer demand.

If the other state has a proactive duty-to-inform rule (e.g., Texas) that does not apply in Nevada, the carrier may still want to announce the firearm at the start of the contact for safety and goodwill, but Nevada law does not require it.

Out-of-state travel

A Nevada CFP holder traveling in another state must follow that state's duty-to-inform rule, not Nevada's. Several states impose a statutory duty to immediately notify any peace officer of the firearm:

• Texas (Penal Code Section 411.205) - immediate notification required.
• Ohio (R.C. 2923.12(B)(1)) - immediate notification required.
• Arkansas (A.C.A. Section 5-73-315) - notification on request, but proactive notification common practice.
• Louisiana (R.S. 40:1379.3(I)(2)) - immediate notification required.
• Michigan (MCL 28.425f(3)) - immediate notification required.
• Nebraska (Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 69-2440) - notification on inquiry.
• North Carolina (N.C.G.S. Section 14-415.21) - immediate notification required.
• Oklahoma (21 O.S. Section 1290.8) - notification on request, immediate notification at traffic stops.
• South Carolina (S.C. Code Section 23-31-215) - notification on request.
• Tennessee (T.C.A. Section 39-17-1351) - notification on request.

Failure to notify in those states can result in fines, permit revocation, or criminal charges. Always check the destination state's law before traveling.

Federal LEOSA - duty to inform

A qualified active or retired LEO carrying under 18 U.S.C. Section 926C has no federal duty-to-inform requirement. State duty-to-inform rules may still apply if the state has them. Nevada's no-statutory-duty rule applies to LEOSA carriers in Nevada.

Special situations

During an emergency or active shooter event: the CFP holder remains subject to all general rules but should follow law enforcement direction immediately. Holding a firearm in the presence of responding officers may be misinterpreted; reholster or comply with "drop the weapon" commands instantly when given.

During a domestic dispute at the CFP holder's home, when officers arrive: the CFP holder should disclose any firearm and its location proactively, even though Nevada has no statutory duty. Domestic dispute calls are statistically dangerous for officers, and disclosure increases everyone's safety.

As a witness or victim of a crime: the CFP holder should disclose the firearm proactively when officers arrive, both for officer safety and to clarify that the CFP holder is not a suspect.

Penalty

Violation of NRS 202.3667 (failure to carry or present the permit and ID on demand) is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000. The five-day cure provision in NRS 202.3667(2) allows the permittee to demonstrate to the court within five days of citation that the permittee was a valid permittee at the time, which is a complete defense to the failure-to-present charge.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.3667 - Duty to carry permit and proper identification; duty to present on demand.
• NRS 199.145 - False representation to a public officer (covers lying about carrying status).
• NRS 197.190 - Resisting a public officer (covers physical resistance during a lawful contact).
• NRS 202.3688 - Out-of-state permit reciprocity; reciprocity carriers subject to same duty-to-respond rules.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926C - LEOSA (federal duty-to-inform: none).

See CONCEALED_CARRY for the underlying carry framework, RECIPROCITY for out-of-state permit holders in Nevada, and PROHIBITED_PLACES for locations where officers may also be encountered.

Carrying Under the Influence in Nevada

The Headline

Nevada prohibits carrying or possessing a firearm in public while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance. NRS 202.257 sets a blood-alcohol limit of 0.10% for a person possessing a firearm in public; possession at or above that level is a misdemeanor on first offense and escalates with prior offenses. Possession while under the influence of any controlled substance (even at a non-impairing level for drug-test purposes) is similarly prohibited.

A CFP holder is not exempt from NRS 202.257. The under-the-influence prohibition applies to anyone in possession of a firearm in public, whether or not the firearm is concealed.

Statutory framework

NRS 202.257(1) provides:

"It is unlawful for a person who has consumed any alcoholic beverage or who is under the influence of a controlled substance to have in his or her actual possession any firearm at any place other than his or her residence or the residence of another person: (a) When the concentration of alcohol in the breath, blood, or urine of the person is 0.10 or more; or (b) When the controlled substance has not been prescribed for the person by a physician licensed to practice in this State and the person is under the influence of the controlled substance."

The 0.10% BAC threshold is higher than Nevada's DUI threshold (0.08%) but lower than some other states' carrying-under-the-influence thresholds. The threshold applies regardless of whether the firearm is concealed (CFP-required) or openly carried (no permit required).

What "in actual possession" means

"Actual possession" under NRS 202.257 is interpreted to mean on the person. A firearm in a vehicle, in a glove box, on a back seat, or in the trunk is not in "actual possession" of the driver in the same sense. However, a firearm in a holster on the hip, in a pocket, or in a hand is in actual possession.

The distinction matters: a person at a restaurant or bar with a firearm holstered on the hip and a BAC of 0.10% is in violation. The same person with the firearm stored in the parked vehicle (not on the person) is not in violation under NRS 202.257.

A person in their own residence or the residence of another is excluded from the prohibition. This includes the residential premises, including the curtilage (front yard, back yard, deck, garage).

Public vs. private property

The prohibition applies to possession in public places and on private property of others. It does not apply at:

• The person's own residence (including yard and garage);
• The residence of another person where the person is a guest;
• Any private property where the person is lawfully present and where the property owner has not excluded firearm possession.

A hotel room rented by the person is treated as a temporary residence for purposes of this exclusion.

Controlled substances - any unlawful presence

The controlled-substance prong does not require impairment. Under NRS 202.257(1)(b), a person who has any amount of an unprescribed controlled substance in their system while in possession of a firearm violates the statute, even if not "under the influence" in a DUI sense.

This is significant for:

• Marijuana: Nevada has legal recreational cannabis use (NRS Chapter 678C), but federal 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(3) prohibits firearm possession by an "unlawful user" of any controlled substance. Marijuana is a Schedule I federal controlled substance. A person using marijuana legally under state law remains federally prohibited from firearm possession. NRS 202.257(1)(b) applies the state-level rule: a person with marijuana metabolites detectable in their system possessing a firearm in public violates the state statute, even though state law permits the marijuana use.
• Prescription medications: A person legally prescribed a controlled substance (e.g., opioids for pain management, benzodiazepines for anxiety) is not in violation under NRS 202.257(1)(b), provided the prescription is current and the person has the medication as prescribed.
• Illicit substances: Cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, etc., are all controlled substances. Any detectable presence creates exposure.

Penalty (NRS 202.257(3))

• First offense: misdemeanor (up to 6 months county jail, fine up to $1,000).
• Second offense within 7 years: gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days county jail, fine up to $2,000).
• Third or subsequent offense within 7 years: Category C felony (1-5 years state prison, fine up to $10,000).

A CFP holder convicted of a first offense under NRS 202.257 may face administrative suspension or revocation of the CFP under NRS 202.366. The sheriff has discretion to revoke for a first conviction; revocation is more likely on a second offense.

How the law is typically enforced

NRS 202.257 enforcement is most common in the following scenarios:

• Traffic stops where the driver has been drinking and a firearm is in the vehicle (the in-vehicle storage may avoid the "actual possession" element);
• Domestic disputes where one party reports the other has a firearm and has been drinking;
• Public intoxication investigations where a peace officer notices a firearm during a contact;
• Restaurant or bar incidents where a person openly carries while drinking;
• Range incidents where a shooter has been drinking before or during a session (most ranges prohibit alcohol on premises and may report incidents to local police).

LVMPD and Reno PD officers receive training on NRS 202.257 enforcement. Probable cause for the BAC element is typically established by:

• Observation of impairment (slurred speech, balance, smell of alcohol);
• Field sobriety tests;
• Preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) with portable breath device;
• Evidential breath test (Intoxilyzer 8000) at the police station; or
• Blood draw with consent or warrant.

The 0.10% threshold is somewhat counter-intuitive: a person well above the 0.08% DUI threshold may still be below the 0.10% firearm-possession threshold, creating a "buffer zone" where DUI applies but the firearm offense does not.

Interplay with DUI (NRS 484C.110)

A person who drives with a BAC at or above 0.08% may be charged with DUI under NRS 484C.110. If the person also has a firearm in actual possession at the time:

• BAC 0.08% to 0.099%: DUI but no firearm offense (under the 0.10% threshold).
• BAC 0.10% and above: DUI and firearm offense.

The DUI and firearm offenses are separate; conviction on both is possible. A DUI conviction does not automatically create a federal prohibitor, but a DUI conviction with an alcohol-related death or great bodily injury element can create state-level firearm restrictions.

Practical implications for CFP holders

A CFP holder who plans to drink alcohol or use any non-prescribed controlled substance should:

1. Leave the firearm at home before drinking;
2. Secure the firearm in the vehicle (in a parking structure or off-site) if drinking at a destination, ensuring the firearm is not in actual possession when the BAC exceeds 0.10%;
3. Avoid drinking entirely if planning to drive home and carry the firearm in actual possession; or
4. Use a designated driver or rideshare service to return home with the firearm in actual possession only after BAC is well below the threshold.

Federal overlay - 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(3)

Federal law prohibits firearm possession by:

• An unlawful user of any controlled substance; or
• A person addicted to any controlled substance.

"Unlawful user" is interpreted to include regular users of any federally controlled substance, including marijuana (notwithstanding state legalization). The federal prohibitor applies regardless of impairment status.

A Nevada resident who is a regular marijuana user is federally prohibited from firearm possession, even though state law permits the marijuana use. This is a recurring issue at NICS background checks: the federal Form 4473 asks whether the applicant is an unlawful user of marijuana, and a "yes" answer disqualifies. Lying on the Form 4473 is a separate federal felony (18 U.S.C. Section 922(a)(6)).

The U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Daniels, 77 F.4th 337 (5th Cir. 2023) (cert. denied 2024) and similar cases has begun to address Second Amendment challenges to the federal marijuana-user prohibitor under the post-Bruen framework. As of 2026, the federal prohibitor remains in force and is enforceable in Nevada.

Carrying after drinking - returning to a residence

A person who has been drinking may carry a firearm at their own residence or the residence of another without violating NRS 202.257. The exclusion for residential premises applies whether or not the firearm is concealed.

A person traveling from a public location (where the firearm cannot be in actual possession due to BAC) back to a residence must either:

• Leave the firearm at the residence before drinking;
• Secure the firearm in the vehicle (storage compartment, not on the person) during return travel; or
• Not consume alcohol above the 0.10% threshold while in actual possession of the firearm.

The travel from a bar to home with a firearm holstered and a BAC of 0.10% violates NRS 202.257 during the travel, even though the person will be at home upon arrival.

Brandishing or discharge while under the influence

Brandishing a firearm in a public place while under the influence (NRS 202.320) is a more serious offense than mere possession. The combination of impairment and threatening or careless conduct with a firearm typically results in:

• Brandishing charge (NRS 202.320, a misdemeanor, or a felony if conduct creates substantial risk of death/great bodily harm);
• NRS 202.257 carrying-under-the-influence charge;
• Possible Category C or B felony charges for aggravated conduct.

Discharge while intoxicated may be charged as discharge of a firearm in a public place (NRS 202.275, misdemeanor) or, with serious aggravation, as more severe felonies.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.257 - Carrying or possessing firearm while under influence.
• NRS 202.320 - Brandishing (independent of intoxication).
• NRS 202.275 - Discharge of firearm in public place.
• NRS 202.366 - CFP revocation grounds (includes intoxication-related convictions).
• NRS 484C.110 - DUI threshold (0.08% BAC).
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(3) - Federal unlawful user / addict prohibitor.

See OPEN_CARRY and CONCEALED_CARRY for the underlying carry frameworks (NRS 202.257 layers on top of both), VEHICLE_CARRY for the in-vehicle distinction, and USE_OF_FORCE for the implication of intoxication on self-defense claims.

Nevada Weapon Restrictions

The Headline

Nevada regulates specific firearm types and accessories more strictly than the general carry framework. Key restrictions include the ban on unfinished frames and receivers ("ghost guns") under NRS 202.3625 (AB 286, 2021), the bump stock prohibition under AB 291 (2019), the 18-21 age restriction on long-gun purchases under federal law (which Nevada has not modified), and the universal background check for private transfers under NRS 202.2544-202.2549 (SB 143, 2019). Nevada does not have an assault weapon ban or magazine-capacity limit at the state level.

A CFP holder remains subject to all weapon-type restrictions regardless of CFP status.

NRS 202.3625 - Unfinished frames and receivers (AB 286)

AB 286 (2021) added NRS 202.3625, banning the manufacture, sale, possession, and transfer of unfinished frames and receivers ("80% lowers" or "ghost gun" components) and related items. The statute prohibits:

• Manufacturing or assembling a firearm from an unfinished frame or receiver without a serial number;
• Possessing an unfinished frame or receiver without a serial number, after a defined grace period;
• Selling, gifting, or otherwise transferring an unfinished frame or receiver to another person.

"Unfinished frame or receiver" is defined as a frame or receiver that requires further machining or finishing to become a functional firearm. The statute's intent is to prevent the manufacture of untraceable firearms.

Exceptions include:

• Antique firearms manufactured before 1899;
• Firearms made by federally licensed manufacturers in the course of business;
• Frames or receivers possessed by a federally licensed dealer in the course of business;
• Frames or receivers that have been serialized in compliance with federal regulations (27 C.F.R. Section 478.92 and ATF rule 2021R-05F).

Penalty (NRS 202.3625(2)):

• First offense: gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days county jail).
• Second or subsequent: Category C felony (1-5 years state prison).

The federal ATF rule 2021R-05F (effective August 2022) substantially overlaps with NRS 202.3625, requiring serialization and background checks for the same categories of items at the federal level. Nevada residents purchasing 80%-style components must comply with both rules.

Bump stocks and rate-of-fire enhancement devices (AB 291)

AB 291 (2019) banned bump stocks and similar rate-of-fire enhancement devices. The statute prohibits:

• Manufacturing, selling, or possessing a bump stock or similar device;
• Conversion of a semi-automatic firearm to fire at rates similar to a fully-automatic firearm.

The Nevada bump-stock ban followed the 2017 Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest mass shooting, which used bump-stock-equipped firearms. Federal ATF rule banning bump stocks (the 2018 final rule, codified at 27 C.F.R. Section 478.11) was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in Garland v. Cargill, 602 U.S. ___ (2024), but the Nevada statutory ban remains in effect and is unaffected by Cargill (the federal challenge addressed only the federal regulatory interpretation, not state criminal law).

Penalty: gross misdemeanor first offense; Category C felony for subsequent offenses.

NRS 202.2544-202.2549 - Universal background check (SB 143)

SB 143 (2019) enacted "The Background Check Act," codified at NRS 202.2544-202.2549 (with NRS 202.2547 as the operative requirement), requiring background checks on most private firearm transfers. Signed February 15, 2019; effective January 2, 2020. A person who transfers a firearm in Nevada must process the transfer through a licensed firearms dealer (FFL) for a background check. Exceptions (NRS 202.2548) include:

• Transfers between immediate family members (defined as spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, or first cousin) - no background check required.
• Transfers between temporary transferees (at a shooting range for the duration of use, in an emergency for self-defense, etc.) - no background check required.
• Transfers to or from a licensed firearm dealer or law enforcement officer in the course of duty.
• Antique firearms (manufactured before 1899) and certain replicas.

Penalty (NRS 202.2549):

• First offense: gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days county jail, fine up to $2,000).
• Second or subsequent: Category C felony.

The dealer typically charges a transfer fee of $15-50 for processing a private transfer.

Assault weapons - no Nevada ban

Nevada does not have a statewide assault-weapon ban. AR-15-pattern rifles, AK-pattern rifles, and other semi-automatic rifles defined as "assault weapons" in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and other restrictive states are legal in Nevada subject to federal limits:

• Must be sold by a licensed dealer with NICS background check (or universal background check for private transfer);
• Must be sold by the dealer with a federal storage device under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(z) (handguns only);
• Sale to a person under 18 (for long guns) or under 21 (for handguns) is prohibited by federal 18 U.S.C. Section 922(b) and (c).

Magazine capacity - no Nevada limit

Nevada does not have a statewide magazine-capacity limit. Magazines holding any number of rounds (10, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100) are legal to manufacture, sell, possess, transfer, and use in Nevada. The federal Assault Weapons Ban (which expired in 2004) had imposed a 10-round limit; that expired and Nevada has not enacted a parallel state limit.

A magazine that is legal in Nevada may be illegal when carried into California, New York, Massachusetts, or other states with magazine-capacity restrictions. See TRANSPORT for interstate considerations.

Suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, machine guns - federal NFA framework

Nevada follows the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) framework for:

• Suppressors (silencers): legal in Nevada to civilians, subject to federal NFA registration. ATF Form 4 and a $200 transfer tax apply. Average ATF processing time as of 2026: 6-12 months.
• Short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and short-barreled shotguns (SBSs): legal in Nevada, subject to federal NFA registration. ATF Form 4 and $200 transfer tax. Pre-1986 transferable machine guns are legal in Nevada (federal restriction limits new machine gun manufacture for civilians).
• Destructive devices (grenade launchers, certain shotguns over 18mm bore, explosive ordnance): legal in Nevada subject to federal NFA registration.
• Any Other Weapons (AOWs): legal in Nevada subject to federal NFA registration ($5 transfer tax instead of $200).

See NFA_ITEMS for the detailed framework.

Antique firearms

A firearm manufactured before 1899 (or a replica meeting the federal antique standard at 18 U.S.C. Section 921(a)(16)) is generally exempt from Nevada's universal background check requirement and from the NFA framework. The federal Gun Control Act felon-in-possession bar still applies, however; an antique-classified firearm is still a "firearm" for federal prohibited-persons purposes.

Sale to minors

NRS 202.310 prohibits the sale, transfer, or gift of a firearm to a person under 18 years of age, with exceptions for:

• A parent or guardian transferring temporarily for hunting, target practice, or instruction;
• Lawful inheritance to a minor of a firearm held in trust by an adult.

Federal 18 U.S.C. Section 922(x) prohibits a handgun transfer to a person under 18 except in similar narrow exceptions (parent permission, hunting, target practice with adult supervision, employment, farm/ranch work).

Suicide-prevention provisions

Nevada has enacted several provisions related to suicide prevention:

• NRS 202.300 - Negligent storage where a minor can access (covered in STORAGE).
• NRS 41.1395 - Voluntary firearm relinquishment by a person in mental health crisis; immunity for an FFL or peace officer who accepts and stores the firearm.
• AB 285 (2021) - Created a voluntary surrender process for individuals seeking temporary safe storage of their firearms during a crisis.

State-level prohibited weapons

NRS 202.350(1)(a) prohibits possession of an explosive or incendiary device. NRS 202.350(1)(b) prohibits possession of a machine gun, "Other Weapons" (sawed-off shotguns or other unregistered AOWs), and silencers - except in compliance with the federal NFA registration framework. NRS 202.350(1)(c) prohibits switchblade knives, sandclubs, billies, blackjacks, dirks, daggers, slingshots, etc., except in compliance with state and federal law.

A firearm registered under federal NFA is lawful in Nevada for the registered owner.

Specific concerns for transient or non-resident carry

A non-resident bringing a firearm into Nevada (e.g., a traveler from California carrying a magazine over 10 rounds, which is legal in Nevada but illegal in California) faces the return-trip problem: the magazine is legal in Nevada but the carrier may be charged on re-entry to California. Plan transit carefully.

For travelers from other restrictive states, the items legal in Nevada but illegal at the origin/destination include:

• Standard-capacity magazines (over 10 rounds in CA, CT, MD, NJ, NY);
• AR-15-pattern rifles (banned in CA, CT, MD, MA, NJ, NY);
• High-capacity firearms generally;
• Suppressors (legal in NV, illegal in CA, HI, NY, etc.);
• SBRs (legal in NV, illegal in CA, NY).

A Nevada-resident CFP holder may freely possess any of the above in Nevada. The federal FOPA (18 U.S.C. Section 926A) provides transit protection only when the firearm is lawful at both origin and destination.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.3625 - Unfinished frames and receivers (AB 286, 2021).
• NRS 202.2544-202.2549 - The Background Check Act; universal background check (SB 143, 2019).
• NRS 202.310 - Sale or transfer to minor.
• NRS 202.350 - Concealed carry restriction; prohibited weapons.
• NRS 202.300 - Negligent storage.
• NRS 41.1395 - Voluntary relinquishment of firearm during crisis.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 921(a)(16) - Antique firearm definition.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(b), (c) - Federal age restrictions on dealer sales.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(x) - Federal handgun transfer to minor.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(z) - Federal dealer's storage device.
• 27 C.F.R. Section 478.11 - Federal NFA framework.
• 27 C.F.R. Section 478.92 - Federal serialization rules.
• AB 285 (2021) - Voluntary safe-storage surrender.
• AB 286 (2021) - Ghost guns (unfinished frames and receivers).
• AB 291 (2019) - Bump stocks ban; red flag / ERPO (see RED_FLAG); safe storage.
• SB 143 (2019) - The Background Check Act; universal background check on private transfers.

See NFA_ITEMS for NFA items in detail, RED_FLAG for emergency protective orders that affect firearm possession, and OTHER for civil liability for misuse.

NFA Items in Nevada

The Headline

Nevada permits civilian possession of firearms regulated under the federal National Firearms Act (NFA): suppressors (silencers), short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), machine guns (pre-1986 transferable, plus dealer samples for FFL/SOTs), destructive devices, and Any Other Weapons (AOWs). The federal NFA registration framework applies; state law does not impose additional registration or licensing beyond the federal rule.

Nevada is one of approximately 42 states permitting civilian suppressor ownership, and one of the more permissive states for SBRs and SBSs.

Federal NFA framework (26 U.S.C. Section 5801 et seq.)

The NFA is the federal statute regulating these items. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) administers the NFA. Key requirements:

• Registration: Each NFA item must be registered with ATF on a specific form (Form 4 for most transfers; Form 5 for tax-exempt government and law-enforcement transfers; Form 1 for individual manufacture; Form 3 for inter-dealer transfers).
• Transfer tax: $200 per item for most NFA items; $5 for AOWs.
• Background check: NICS check on the transferee, plus an additional CLEO (Chief Law Enforcement Officer) notification at the local level. ATF processing typically takes 6-12 months as of 2026 (down from 12-18 months in 2020-2022).
• Possession identification: The registered owner must have a copy of the approved Form 4 (or other NFA paperwork) available when the NFA item is in their possession.

Sale, transfer, or possession of an unregistered NFA item is a federal felony (26 U.S.C. Section 5871) - up to 10 years prison and a $250,000 fine - and a state felony in Nevada (NRS 202.350(1)(b)).

Suppressors (silencers)

Nevada permits civilian possession of suppressors registered under the federal NFA. The process:

1. Choose a suppressor from a licensed manufacturer or dealer.
2. Purchase the suppressor: pay the dealer's price plus the $200 federal transfer tax.
3. Submit ATF Form 4 with two copies of fingerprint cards (FD-258), two passport-style photos, the $200 transfer tax, and the CLEO notification (or e-form 4 electronic submission).
4. Wait for ATF approval: typically 6-12 months as of 2026. The suppressor remains at the dealer until approval is received.
5. Pick up the suppressor: present photo ID and the approved Form 4 stamp.

Suppressors may be used in Nevada at any private range, on private property with permission, and on federal land where firearm discharge is otherwise permitted (BLM, U.S. Forest Service lands open to target shooting). Suppressors must be marked with a serial number and manufacturer information per federal regulation (27 C.F.R. Section 478.92).

Hunting with a suppressor: Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) regulations permit suppressor use for hunting most game species. Confirm with NDOW for the specific season and species.

Short-Barreled Rifles (SBRs)

A short-barreled rifle has a barrel less than 16 inches OR an overall length less than 26 inches. SBRs require NFA registration. The process for civilians:

1. Choose an SBR or convert a rifle to SBR by shortening the barrel/stock. Conversion requires either a pre-existing registration (transferring an SBR-marked firearm) or a Form 1 to manufacture (individual SBR creation).
2. Form 1 (manufacture) or Form 4 (transfer): each with the $200 tax stamp and the same documentation as for suppressors.
3. Wait for ATF approval: 6-12 months.
4. Mark the SBR: a Form 1 SBR must be marked with the maker's name, city, state, and the new serial number, per 27 C.F.R. Section 478.92.

Nevada permits SBR possession; many shooting ranges in Las Vegas and Reno allow SBR use. The federal Pistol Brace rule (ATF 2021R-08F) is in litigation and has experienced multiple administrative and judicial reversals; verify current ATF policy before purchasing or building a "pistol brace" platform that ATF may now classify as an SBR.

Short-Barreled Shotguns (SBSs)

An SBS has a barrel less than 18 inches OR an overall length less than 26 inches. Nevada permits civilian SBS possession with federal NFA registration. Process is identical to SBR.

Machine guns

Machine guns are regulated under the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 (FOPA), which closed the civilian machine gun registry. Civilian possession is limited to:

• Pre-May 19, 1986 transferable machine guns (registered with ATF before the cutoff date);
• Pre-1986 machine guns transferred to civilians via Form 4 ($200 tax stamp);
• Newly manufactured machine guns are limited to FFL/SOT (Special Occupational Tax) dealers and law enforcement/military purchasers.

Pre-1986 transferable machine guns are scarce and expensive; a typical M-16 or AK-47 transferable machine gun in 2026 trades for $30,000 - $60,000.

Nevada permits possession of registered pre-1986 transferable machine guns. State law (NRS 202.350(1)(b)) prohibits unregistered machine guns; a registered machine gun is lawful.

Destructive devices

Destructive devices include grenade launchers, certain shotguns with bore over 0.5 inches (above the 18.5mm exemption for sporting shotguns), and explosive ordnance. Federal NFA registration is required; civilian possession is permitted in Nevada with the $200 tax stamp.

Destructive devices are uncommon in civilian Nevada ownership; some are used in specialty shooting competition (e.g., AOW-style "Curio and Relic" historical examples) but most are owned by FFL/SOT dealers, military, or law enforcement.

Any Other Weapons (AOWs)

AOWs include firearm-disguised devices (cane guns, pen guns, wallet-holster handguns, certain unusual configurations), short-barreled handguns with vertical foregrips, smooth-bore handguns, and similar specialty items. The $5 transfer tax (instead of $200) applies. Same federal Form 4 process otherwise.

Nevada permits AOW possession with federal NFA registration.

Trust ownership

A common ownership structure for NFA items in Nevada is the NFA Trust (often called a "gun trust"). A trust may hold NFA items, designate co-trustees who may also possess the item, name beneficiaries to receive the items at the trust grantor's death, and simplify estate planning.

ATF requires all responsible persons of the trust (trustees who may possess the firearm) to submit fingerprints and photos with the Form 4 application. The CLEO notification requirement is satisfied if each responsible person provides certification.

NFA trust setup in Nevada is typically done through a Nevada attorney specializing in firearm law. Many Nevada firearm attorneys offer trust formation for $200-500. The trust must be drafted to comply with both Nevada trust law and federal NFA requirements.

CLEO notification

The federal ATF Form 4 requires notification to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the transferee's residence (typically the county sheriff or city police chief). The CLEO does not have approval authority over the transfer; CLEO notification is informational only.

In Nevada, the CLEO notification typically goes to:

• Las Vegas Metro / Clark County: LVMPD Headquarters.
• Washoe County: Washoe County Sheriff's Office.
• Carson City: Carson City Sheriff's Office.
• Other counties: respective county sheriffs.

The CLEO has no statutory authority to delay or block the transfer.

State law and NFA items

Nevada state law (NRS 202.350(1)(b)) prohibits possession of:

• A machine gun unless registered under the NFA;
• A silencer/suppressor unless registered under the NFA;
• A "sawed-off shotgun" (SBS) unless registered under the NFA.

The state law explicitly incorporates the NFA framework, so a registered item is lawful and an unregistered item is unlawful. There is no separate state registration requirement.

Nevada also bans destructive devices and explosive or incendiary devices under NRS 202.350(1)(a), again with an exception for NFA-registered items.

NFA item transport

Within Nevada, an NFA item may be transported in the same manner as any other firearm. Across state lines, the rules differ:

• Suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs: requires ATF Form 5320.20 (Application to Transport Interstate or Temporarily Export Certain Firearms) for travel to certain states. The form is approved by ATF; some states (e.g., New York, California) restrict NFA items and a transport approval is needed for transit.
• Pre-1986 transferable machine guns: requires Form 5320.20 for any interstate transport.
• Destructive devices: requires Form 5320.20.
• Travel with the registered owner's authorized representative: the responsible person on a trust may transport.

The Form 5320.20 process takes 30-60 days; plan accordingly for travel.

Loss or destruction of an NFA item

If an NFA item is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the registered owner must report to ATF on Form 4467 (Lost or Stolen Firearm) within 30 days. Failure to report is a federal violation.

If the registered owner dies, the NFA item passes by trust beneficiary designation, by will, or by intestate succession. The receiving party must complete a Form 5 (tax-exempt transfer to heir/beneficiary) within a reasonable period; ATF historically waives the $200 tax for hereditary transfers.

Hearing protection for civilian shooters

Nevada permits civilian use of suppressors for hearing protection at ranges and on private property. The combination of a Nevada CFP and a Nevada-resident NFA-registered suppressor is increasingly common; many Las Vegas and Reno indoor and outdoor ranges accommodate suppressor use.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.350(1)(a), (b) - State law prohibitions on unregistered NFA items.
• 26 U.S.C. Sections 5801-5872 - Federal National Firearms Act.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(o) - Pre-1986 machine gun restriction (FOPA).
• 27 C.F.R. Section 478.92 - Federal marking and serialization rules.
• 27 C.F.R. Section 479 - Federal NFA implementing regulations.
• ATF Form 4 - Application for Transfer of NFA Firearm.
• ATF Form 1 - Application to Make and Register a Firearm.
• ATF Form 5320.20 - Interstate transport.
• ATF Form 4467 - Lost or Stolen Firearm.

For NFA item purchases in Nevada, recommended dealers include licensed FFL/SOTs in Las Vegas (e.g., Westside Armory, Dragonman's), Reno (e.g., Cabela's Reno), and rural areas. Consult an SOT for the most current process and pricing.

See RESTRICTIONS for the broader weapon restrictions, OTHER for civil liability concerning NFA item use, and TRANSPORT for the interstate Form 5320.20 process.

Nevada Red Flag Law - Extreme Risk Protection Orders

The Headline

Nevada enacted a red flag law in 2019 by AB 291, creating a process for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) that can temporarily prohibit a person from possessing firearms. The ERPO process is codified at NRS 33.500 through NRS 33.670 and involves both emergency (ex parte) orders lasting up to seven days and plenary orders lasting up to one year after a contested hearing.

A person subject to an ERPO must surrender all firearms in their possession to law enforcement and is prohibited from acquiring new firearms during the term of the order.

Statutory framework

NRS 33.510 authorizes a Nevada district court to issue an Extreme Risk Protection Order against a person if there is clear and convincing evidence that the person:

"poses a substantial and imminent risk of causing personal injury to himself, herself, or another by having in his or her possession or having custody or control of, a firearm or by purchasing or otherwise acquiring a firearm."

Two types of orders are available:

• Emergency (ex parte) order: Issued without a hearing on a verified petition; effective immediately; lasts up to 7 days pending a full hearing.
• Order after hearing: Issued after a hearing with the respondent's opportunity to be heard; lasts up to 1 year and may be renewed.

Who may petition for an ERPO

NRS 33.520 limits petitioners to:

• A law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency;
• A family or household member of the person who is the subject of the proposed order (spouse, former spouse, child, parent, sibling, person who shares a residence, person who has a child in common with the respondent);
• A domestic violence victim.

The statute does not authorize petitioning by:

• Co-workers (unless they are family or household members);
• Schools (unless via the school district's law enforcement);
• Mental health providers (they may report to law enforcement, who may then petition);
• Anonymous complainants.

Process - emergency order

Under NRS 33.530, an ex parte emergency ERPO petition includes:

• A sworn affidavit setting forth facts supporting the substantial-and-imminent-risk finding;
• Information about firearms the respondent possesses;
• A list of any prior firearm violations;
• Any other relevant information.

The court reviews on an ex parte basis. If the standard is met by clear and convincing evidence, the court issues the emergency order. The court must schedule a hearing within 7 days of issuance of the emergency order, at which the respondent has the opportunity to be heard.

The emergency order does not require notice to the respondent before issuance; the respondent is notified when served.

Process - hearing for plenary order

Under NRS 33.540, the hearing must take place within 7 days of the emergency order (or within 21 days if no emergency order was issued). The respondent receives notice and may:

• Be present in person;
• Have counsel present;
• Cross-examine the petitioner;
• Present evidence and witnesses;
• Argue against the order.

The standard at the hearing remains clear and convincing evidence. If the standard is met, the court issues a plenary ERPO for up to 1 year.

Effects of an ERPO

When an ERPO is in effect:

• The respondent may not possess, purchase, or otherwise acquire any firearm.
• The respondent must surrender all firearms in their possession to law enforcement within 24 hours of service of the order.
• The respondent's CFP (if any) is automatically suspended during the term of the ERPO.
• Federal 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(8) may also apply, prohibiting possession during the term of the order.

Service of the order is typically performed by the requesting law enforcement agency or by the sheriff of the respondent's county.

Surrender of firearms

Under NRS 33.580, the respondent surrenders all firearms either:

• To a Nevada law enforcement agency for storage;
• To a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) for storage; or
• To a friend or family member who is not prohibited under state or federal law and who agrees in writing to retain custody.

The respondent must:

• Within 24 hours, surrender all firearms;
• File a written declaration of compliance with the court;
• Identify the location of all surrendered firearms.

Failure to surrender within the time specified is a misdemeanor first offense, gross misdemeanor for subsequent.

Renewal of the ERPO

A plenary ERPO may be renewed before expiration if the petitioner demonstrates that the underlying conditions persist. The renewal hearing follows the same procedure as the initial plenary hearing, with the same clear-and-convincing standard.

If the ERPO is not renewed and expires, the respondent's right to possess firearms is restored. The respondent may retrieve surrendered firearms from the storage agency.

Return of firearms after order expires

Under NRS 33.600, when an ERPO expires, the respondent may petition for return of the surrendered firearms. The storing agency (law enforcement, FFL, or family member) returns the firearms after:

• Confirming the order has expired;
• Verifying the respondent is not prohibited under any other state or federal law;
• Processing any administrative fees for the storage (typically minimal at FFL storage; usually waived at law enforcement storage).

Federal NICS check on a returned firearm is not statutorily required, but most storing FFLs run a check before release to verify the recipient is not currently prohibited.

Dismissal of an ERPO

The respondent or the petitioner may move for dismissal of an ERPO. The court considers whether:

• The underlying basis for the order has been remediated (e.g., the respondent has completed mental health treatment, the underlying threat has been removed);
• The respondent has demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence that the substantial-and-imminent-risk condition no longer exists.

A dismissal restores the respondent's right to possess firearms.

Penalties for violations

Under NRS 33.640:

• First violation (possession of firearm in violation of an ERPO): gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days county jail, fine up to $2,000).
• Second or subsequent violation: Category C felony (1-5 years state prison, fine up to $10,000).

Additional federal exposure: 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(8) makes it a federal felony to possess a firearm while subject to a qualifying state-court protection order.

ERPO and concealed firearm permit (CFP)

A person subject to an ERPO has their CFP automatically suspended during the term of the ERPO. The sheriff is notified of the order and updates the permit status. When the ERPO expires or is dismissed, the CFP holder may apply for reinstatement.

If the respondent's CFP eligibility has been revoked based on the underlying conduct that supported the ERPO (e.g., a domestic violence conviction or a mental health adjudication that creates a federal prohibitor), the CFP holder must reapply rather than seek reinstatement.

Confidentiality of ERPO proceedings

Under NRS 33.670, certain information in ERPO proceedings is confidential and not disclosed publicly. The petitioner's identity may be redacted from publicly available records; the substantive information about the respondent's risk profile is also confidential.

The order itself, however, is enforceable by law enforcement and may be disclosed to background-check systems (NICS).

Federal red flag laws

Nevada's ERPO is a state-only mechanism. Federal law does not have a parallel "red flag" framework, but federal prohibitors (18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)) intersect with ERPO conduct:

• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(8): Federal prohibition on firearm possession while subject to a qualifying state-court protection order.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(4): Federal prohibition on firearm possession by a person adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution. This is independent of any ERPO but may be implicated by underlying mental health findings.

The U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Rahimi, 602 U.S. 680 (2024) upheld 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(8) against a Second Amendment challenge, confirming that the federal protection-order prohibitor is constitutional. State ERPO frameworks have not been the subject of a definitive U.S. Supreme Court ruling, but circuit court rulings have generally upheld them.

Recent legislative activity

• AB 291 (2019): Created the ERPO framework codified at NRS 33.500 et seq.
• No major amendments to the ERPO framework since 2019.

The 2025 Nevada Legislature considered minor procedural amendments (more streamlined surrender process; clarification of fee schedules) but did not enact substantive changes to the ERPO framework.

ERPO data

As of the most recent annual report from the Nevada Department of Public Safety (2024 data), approximately 250-400 ERPOs are issued in Nevada each year, with the majority being plenary orders after a hearing. The most common petitioners are law enforcement officers; family-and-household-member petitioners are less common but increasing.

Key statutory references

• NRS 33.500 - Extreme Risk Protection Order; legislative findings.
• NRS 33.510 - Issuance of ERPO; substantial-and-imminent-risk standard.
• NRS 33.520 - Authorized petitioners.
• NRS 33.530 - Ex parte emergency ERPO.
• NRS 33.540 - Hearing for plenary order.
• NRS 33.580 - Surrender of firearms.
• NRS 33.600 - Return of firearms after order expires.
• NRS 33.640 - Penalties for violation.
• NRS 33.670 - Confidentiality of ERPO proceedings.
• AB 291 (2019) - Original ERPO framework.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(8) - Federal protection-order prohibitor.
• United States v. Rahimi, 602 U.S. 680 (2024) - Federal constitutional baseline for the Section 922(g)(8) prohibitor.

See PERMIT_BASICS for CFP suspension during an ERPO, STORAGE for firearm storage during the order, and OTHER for the civil liability framework.

Nevada State Firearm Preemption

The Headline

Nevada has a broad state-level preemption of local firearm regulation. NRS 268.418 (incorporated municipalities) and NRS 244.364 (counties) bar local jurisdictions from adopting ordinances or regulations that govern the carrying, possession, or transportation of firearms more strictly than state law. Local jurisdictions retain limited authority over firearm discharge in defined zones and over the operation of their own facilities.

Preemption ensures that a CFP holder's rights are uniform statewide and that the carrier need only navigate one set of rules (state plus federal), not 17 different county or city ordinances.

Statutory framework

NRS 268.418 (cities):

"The Legislature reserves for itself such rights and powers as are necessary to regulate the transfer, sale, purchase, possession, ownership, transportation, registration and licensing of firearms and ammunition in Nevada, and no county, city or town may infringe upon those rights and powers."

NRS 244.364 (counties):

"The Legislature reserves for itself such rights and powers as are necessary to regulate the transfer, sale, purchase, possession, ownership, transportation, registration and licensing of firearms and ammunition in Nevada, and no county may infringe upon those rights and powers."

The two statutes are parallel; together they bar local firearm ordinances across all Nevada jurisdictions.

Scope of preemption

The preemption is field preemption for the listed subjects:

• Transfer (sale, gift, inheritance);
• Sale (retail or private);
• Purchase (the buyer's side of the transaction);
• Possession (having a firearm on one's person, premises, or vehicle);
• Ownership (registration, taxation, declaration);
• Transportation (carry on foot, in vehicle, by other means);
• Registration (any local firearm registration requirement);
• Licensing (any local firearm-owner license or permit).

A local ordinance attempting to regulate any of these subjects is void as inconsistent with state law, regardless of whether the local ordinance is stricter or more permissive than state law.

What local jurisdictions may regulate

Local jurisdictions retain authority over:

1. Discharge of firearms in defined zones under NRS 202.290 (the state discharge statute) and parallel local ordinances. Cities and counties may designate "no-discharge" zones for safety reasons (e.g., within city limits, within 1,000 feet of an occupied dwelling, etc.) so long as the ordinances do not affect the right to carry, transport, or possess.
2. Operation of local-government facilities: a city or county may post its own buildings as restricted under NRS 202.3673 (state law authorization) but cannot add new categories of prohibited locations beyond what state law allows.
3. Police-power regulations not addressed to firearms specifically: a city or county may regulate noise, nuisance, or public safety in ways that incidentally affect firearm activity (e.g., a noise ordinance affecting outdoor target shooting) so long as the regulation is not targeted at firearms.
4. Trespass and posting of public property: a city or county may post park signage, building signage, etc. The signage acts as private-property notice for entry and refusal-to-leave purposes (NRS 207.200).
5. Reciprocity recognition by tribal codes on reservations - state preemption does not extend to tribal sovereign authority on tribal land.

Pre-existing inconsistent ordinances

Before the current preemption was strengthened (most recently by SB 175 in 2015 and AB 286 in 2021), several Nevada cities had firearm registration ordinances (notably Las Vegas's "blue card" handgun registration ordinance, repealed effective 2015 by force of NRS 268.418). The state preemption statute now operates retrospectively: any inconsistent local ordinance is void.

Clark County, Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Reno, and other major Nevada jurisdictions have repealed or otherwise removed firearm registration ordinances. Some local-government building posting ordinances remain in force and are consistent with state law (NRS 202.3673 authorizes them).

Enforcement of preemption

A person aggrieved by a local ordinance inconsistent with state preemption may:

1. Sue for declaratory and injunctive relief in Nevada district court to have the ordinance declared void.
2. Raise preemption as a defense in any criminal or civil enforcement action under the local ordinance.
3. Petition the Nevada Attorney General for an opinion on the legality of the local ordinance under NRS 228.150.

The Nevada Firearms Coalition and the NRA have litigated several preemption challenges in Nevada, with consistent results - inconsistent local ordinances are struck down.

Common scenarios where preemption applies

• A Las Vegas city ordinance requiring registration of handguns: preempted.
• A Clark County ordinance prohibiting carry in a county park: preempted (unless the park ordinance is a discharge regulation or a posted-property regulation under NRS 202.3673).
• A North Las Vegas ordinance requiring a permit to carry openly: preempted.
• A Reno ordinance prohibiting transport of a firearm in a city limits area: preempted.
• A Carson City ordinance restricting purchase of certain firearm types: preempted as inconsistent with state law and federal supremacy.
• A Henderson ordinance designating a city-owned building as a prohibited location with proper signage under NRS 202.3673: not preempted (state statute authorizes the posting).
• A Las Vegas ordinance restricting discharge of firearms within city limits except at licensed ranges or under emergency circumstances: not preempted (state authority extends to discharge regulation).

Federal supremacy

Federal firearm law (Gun Control Act, NFA, FOPA, LEOSA) supersedes Nevada law where they are in conflict. Areas of federal supremacy:

• Dealer licensing and operation: FFL framework is federal.
• Interstate transport: FOPA at 18 U.S.C. Section 926A is the federal floor.
• National Firearms Act items: federal registration and transfer requirements override any state-only framework.
• Prohibited persons under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g): federal categories apply nationwide.
• Federal facility carry: 18 U.S.C. Section 930 applies on federal property regardless of state law.

State preemption operates horizontally (state vs. local) and does not affect the federal-state relationship.

Constitutional carry advocacy and preemption

Some Nevada constitutional-carry advocates have argued that preemption requires the state legislature to address concealed carry uniformly statewide, with no county-by-county variation in CFP issuance practices. The Nevada Supreme Court has not directly addressed this argument, and the legislature has retained the sheriff-by-sheriff issuing structure. The county sheriffs follow uniform NvSCA training standards, and each sheriff's office must comply with NRS 202.3657's shall-issue framework, so variation in issuance practices is procedural rather than substantive.

Pre-emption and casino property

Casinos as private property may exclude firearms by posting (see PROHIBITED_PLACES). The casino's right to exclude does not arise from local-government regulation but from the property owner's right to control their own property. Preemption does not affect private property rights.

A casino's policy on firearms is a contractual/private-property matter. A CFP holder denied entry due to the casino's no-firearm policy has no preemption-based remedy because the policy is not a government regulation.

Pre-emption and school district policies

Public school districts in Nevada are subject to NRS 202.265 (state law prohibiting firearm possession on school grounds). A school district board cannot adopt a more lenient policy allowing firearms on school grounds (state law restricts); they cannot adopt a more restrictive policy that would, e.g., disqualify a peace officer from carry on school grounds (state law authorizes).

Private schools may adopt their own policies as private property under NRS 207.200.

Recent legislative activity

• AB 286 (2021): Strengthened state preemption by clarifying that local ordinances purporting to regulate firearm transfer, sale, or possession are void. AB 286 also added the unfinished frames and receivers ban codified at NRS 202.3625.
• AB 291 (2019): Codified the universal background check at NRS 202.2547; this is the state-level rule that preempts any local ordinance imposing additional background-check requirements.
• SB 175 (2015): Codified Stand Your Ground and reinforced state preemption.

Key statutory references

• NRS 268.418 - State preemption (cities).
• NRS 244.364 - State preemption (counties).
• NRS 202.265 - School grounds (state law).
• NRS 202.3673 - Prohibited locations (state law, authorizes local-government building posting).
• NRS 202.290 - Discharge of firearms (preserves local discharge regulation).
• NRS 207.200 - Trespass (private property posting framework).
• NRS 228.150 - Attorney General opinions.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 921 et seq. - Federal Gun Control Act (supersedes state and local).
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926A - FOPA (federal interstate transport).
• 18 U.S.C. Section 930 - Federal facilities.

See PROHIBITED_PLACES for the location restrictions that operate under state law, OPEN_CARRY and CONCEALED_CARRY for the carry framework that preemption protects from local interference, and OTHER for civil liability under state law that local jurisdictions cannot alter.

Reciprocity

Nevada recognizes concealed firearm permits issued by 28 other states. The roster is published by the Nevada Department of Public Safety through its Records, Communications and Compliance Division in Carson City, and the copy in force is marked Effective July 01, 2026, with a footer reading "Updated 07/01/2026." It carries one operative sentence: "Pursuant to Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 202.3689, the state of Nevada will recognize concealed weapons permits from the following states."

Two consequences follow from that sentence, and they are the two things travelers get wrong.

First, the list runs inbound only. It answers which out-of-state permits Nevada will honor. It does not tell you which states will honor a Nevada permit. Those are separate questions answered by separate governments, and Nevada has no power over the second one.

Second, the list is closed. NRS 202.3688(1) authorizes carry by "a person who possesses a permit to carry a concealed firearm that was issued by a state included in the list prepared pursuant to NRS 202.3689." A permit from a state not on the list is not a lesser permit in Nevada. For purposes of carrying concealed here, it is no permit at all.

The permit also has to be a live one. NRS 202.3688(1) speaks of a person who "possesses a permit to carry a concealed firearm," and the DPS recognition page describes the scheme as allowing "holders of valid permits from these states to carry a concealed weapon while in the State of Nevada." An expired or suspended out-of-state permit sits outside the recognition, and the issuing state being on the roster does not cure it.

The 28 states Nevada recognizes

These are the states named on the DPS recognition list effective July 01, 2026, with the qualifiers as the list prints them:

Read the omissions as deliberate. Because NRS 202.3688(1) reaches only permits issued by a listed state, a state's absence is the whole answer for a holder of that state's permit. California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and every other state not printed above are not on this roster. The list also names states and only states. It does not name the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands, so treat a permit from any of those as unrecognized unless DPS says otherwise in writing.

Check your own permit against the list before you cross the state line, and check it against the current DPS copy rather than against this page or any other secondary write-up. NRS 202.3689(1) directs the Department to run the review "[o]n or before July 1 of each year," so the roster is a document with a version, and the version is what governs.

Four states are on the list only in one permit class

This is where a reader gets hurt. Four entries carry a parenthetical that narrows recognition to a specific class of permit issued by that state:

• Idaho (Enhanced Permit). Only the enhanced class Nevada names is recognized. Confirm with Idaho which of the permits it issues carries that name.
• Mississippi (Enhanced Permit). Same structure. Only the enhanced class Nevada names is recognized, so confirm with Mississippi which of its permits that is.
• South Dakota (Enhanced Permit). Same again. Only the enhanced class Nevada names is recognized, so confirm with South Dakota which of its permits that is.
• North Dakota (Class 1 only). The list spells out the restriction. A North Dakota Class 2 permit is not what Nevada named.

The parenthetical is part of the entry, not a footnote to it. If you hold a permit from Idaho, Mississippi or South Dakota that is not the enhanced class, or a Class 2 permit from North Dakota, the safe reading is that you are in the same position as a permit holder from an unlisted state, and the consequence in Nevada is the same. If you believe your permit class is enhanced, carry the card that says so and be able to show it. The authority in NRS 202.3688(1) runs to permits "issued by a state included in the list prepared pursuant to NRS 202.3689," and the list describes four of those states by class, so the class printed on the permit is part of what has to match.

Nevada imposes no comparable class condition on the other 24 states on the roster. Where the list prints a bare state name, the state's permit is what Nevada recognized.

The 2016 date on the RCCD web page is not the date of the list

The DPS out-of-state recognition web page is headed "Effective July 1, 2016" and explains that the recognition scheme exists "[i]n accordance with SB 175 and AB 488 of the 2015 legislative session." That date belongs to the agency page and to the 2015 legislation the page cites, SB 175 and AB 488. It is not the date of the roster, and it says nothing about which states are currently on it.

The roster's own date is the one that matters, and the roster says Effective July 01, 2026. If you are comparing sources, take the date from the recognition list itself, not from the page that links to it.

What a recognized permit authorizes, and what it does not

NRS 202.3688(1) does not hand you a separate set of visitor rules. It lets you carry "in accordance with the requirements set forth in NRS 202.3653 to 202.369, inclusive," which is the same body of law that governs a permit issued by a Nevada sheriff. Recognition puts you inside Nevada's permit scheme. It does not exempt you from it.

Three requirements deserve naming here.

Carry the permit and proper identification, and produce both on request. NRS 202.3667(1) requires a permittee to carry the permit "together with proper identification whenever the permittee is in actual possession of a concealed firearm," and provides that "[b]oth the permit and proper identification must be presented if requested by a peace officer." Subsection 2 sets a civil penalty of $25 per violation. The DPS recognition page states the same duty in plain terms: "The permit must be in the possession of the permittee at all times while carrying a firearm." See DUTY_TO_INFORM.

Nevada's place restrictions apply to you. NRS 202.3673 governs concealed carry on the premises of public buildings. A permittee generally may carry there, but not in a public building on the property of a public airport, not in a public building on the property of a public school, a child care facility or the Nevada System of Higher Education without written permission, and not in a public building with a metal detector at each public entrance or a sign at each public entrance indicating that no firearms are allowed, subject to the exceptions in subsection 4. Violating subsection 2 or 3 is a misdemeanor under NRS 202.3673(5). See PROHIBITED_PLACES.

Nevada's definition of the permit sets its scope. Under NRS 202.3653(1), a "[c]oncealed firearm" means "a loaded or unloaded handgun which is carried upon a person in such a manner as not to be discernible by ordinary observation," and NRS 202.3653(3) ties "handgun" to the federal definition at 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(30). This is a handgun scheme. A concealed firearm permit, yours or Nevada's, is not authority to carry anything else concealed. Nevada handles non-firearm concealed weapons through a separate sheriff-issued permit under NRS 202.350(3), which by its own terms does not authorize a permit for a pistol, revolver or other firearm. See RESTRICTIONS.

The 60 day cliff for new residents

NRS 202.3688(2) is short and easy to miss. A person holding a permit from a listed state "may not carry a concealed firearm in this State if the person: (a) Becomes a resident of this State; and (b) Has not been issued a permit from the sheriff of the county in which he or she resides within 60 days after becoming a resident of this State."

Read the timing carefully. The statute is written around the date of issuance of the Nevada permit, not the date you applied for it. Washoe County tells applicants to "[a]llow up to 120 days for processing your completed application," and gives the reason as the time it can take to get a records check back from the F.B.I. That is not a local quirk. NRS 202.366(3) gives every Nevada sheriff up to 120 days after a complete application is submitted to grant or deny it, so the outer statutory processing window is twice the length of the window in NRS 202.3688(2) in every county. A new resident who applies after arriving can be unable to hold a Nevada permit by day 60 no matter how promptly the paperwork went in. The practical instruction is to start the application on arrival rather than on day 55, and to check the processing time quoted by the sheriff of your own county. Note also what the subsection does not say: it does not grant a 60 day grace period as an affirmative right so much as it removes your authority once the window closes without a Nevada permit in hand. If you move here, your out-of-state permit is on a clock. See APPLICATION_PROCESS.

How a state gets on the list

NRS 202.3689(1) tells DPS what to measure. On or before July 1 of each year, the Department shall determine "whether each state requires a person to complete any training, class or program before the issuance of a permit to carry a concealed firearm in that state," determine "whether each state has an electronic database which identifies each individual who possesses a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm issued by that state and which a law enforcement officer in this State may access at all times through a national law enforcement telecommunications system," prepare a list of the states meeting both, and provide a copy of that list to each law enforcement agency in this State. Subsection 2 requires the Department, upon request, to make the list available to the public.

Two features of that scheme are worth holding onto. There is no negotiation and no signed agreement. Nevada measures other states against two criteria and publishes the result, so a state can move on or off the roster without anything happening in Carson City that looks like a deal. And the criteria are training plus a law enforcement accessible permit database, which is why a state with permissive carry rules and no verifiable permit record can be absent even though its residents carry freely at home.

The statutory criteria in this form date from the 2015 amendments. Older printed handouts that describe the test as whether another state's requirements are "substantially similar to or more stringent than" Nevada's, or that describe a required concurrence from a sheriffs' association, are quoting a superseded version of NRS 202.3689. Use the current statute.

If Nevada does not recognize your permit

The exposure is serious, not technical. NRS 202.350(1)(d)(3) prohibits carrying concealed upon your person any "[p]istol, revolver or other firearm, other dangerous or deadly weapon or pneumatic gun," except as provided in that section and in NRS 202.3653 to 202.369, inclusive. Under NRS 202.350(2)(b), a violation of subparagraph (3) is a category C felony punished as provided in NRS 193.130. Carrying concealed in Nevada on a permit Nevada does not recognize is not a citation. It is a felony charge, subject to the two carve-outs in the same statute described next.

Two carve-outs sit inside that same statute, and neither one turns on whether the officer's home state appears on the roster. NRS 202.350(4) provides that, except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, the section does not apply to a list of officers that includes at paragraph (c) "[a]ny full-time paid peace officer of an agency of the United States or another state or political subdivision thereof when carrying out official duties in the State of Nevada." NRS 202.350(7) provides that the section "shall not be construed to prohibit a qualified law enforcement officer or a qualified retired law enforcement officer from carrying a concealed weapon in this State if he or she is authorized to do so" pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 926B or 926C, and NRS 202.350(8) takes both of those terms from the federal definitions. For retired officers who live here, NRS 202.3678(1) gives a resident retired law enforcement officer a route to apply to the sheriff of his or her county for the certification required under 18 U.S.C. 926C(d). If you are not inside one of those categories, the roster is what decides the question.

You have a clean alternative, and it is unusually accessible. NRS 202.3657(1) provides that "[a]ny person who is not a resident of this State may apply to the sheriff of any county in this State for a permit." Nevada issues to non-residents through any county sheriff, on the same eligibility terms as residents: age 21 or older, or 18 to 20 with qualifying military service, under NRS 202.3657(3)(a); not prohibited from possessing a firearm under NRS 202.360, per (3)(b); and demonstrated competence with handguns through an approved course under (3)(c). NRS 202.3657(2) adds that one application yields one permit valid for all handguns you own or later obtain. If you visit Nevada often and your home state is not on the roster, or is on it only in a permit class you do not hold, a Nevada permit solves the problem outright. See APPLICATION_PROCESS and TRAINING_REQUIREMENTS.

Until then, the concealed option is gone, but the firearm need not stay home. Nevada's open carry and transport rules are separate from the permit scheme. See OPEN_CARRY and TRANSPORT.

Carrying your Nevada permit in other states

Nevada publishes an inbound roster only. Nothing in NRS 202.3688, NRS 202.3689 or the DPS recognition list states which states honor a Nevada permit, and Nevada could not make that determination binding if it tried. Recognition of a Nevada permit is decided by the law of the state you are standing in.

So do not read the 28 state roster backward. A state appearing on Nevada's list has not thereby agreed to honor your Nevada permit, and the two lists are not required to match. Before any trip, confirm with the agency that issues concealed carry permits in the destination state, and confirm it for each state you will drive through, not only the one you are driving to. Ask two questions: does this state honor a Nevada permit, and does it impose conditions such as a minimum age, a residency match, or an issue date cutoff.

Common misconceptions

Nevada Firearm Law Resources

The Headline

This section consolidates the primary sources for Nevada firearm law: official state and federal websites, sheriff's office contact information, training and reciprocity resources, advocacy organizations, and legal-defense networks. Use these sources for verification before relying on any specific rule in this guide.

Official Nevada state government sources

Nevada Legislature - Primary source for NRS statutes and bill tracking.

• Website: leg.state.nv.us
• NRS Chapter 202 (Crimes Against Public Health and Safety, including firearms): leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-202.html
• NRS Chapter 200 (Crimes Against Person; self-defense statutes): leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-200.html
• NAC Chapter 202 (Nevada Administrative Code implementing firearms statutes): leg.state.nv.us/nac/NAC-202.html
• Bill tracking and committee minutes: leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS
• Legislative Counsel Bureau (LCB) opinions on firearm-related legislation: leg.state.nv.us/Division/Legal/LCBOpinions

Nevada Department of Public Safety (DPS) - State-level firearm regulation, including reciprocity list.

• Website: dps.nv.gov
• Reciprocity list (NRS 202.3688): dps.nv.gov/services/concealed-firearms-reciprocity
• General firearms information: dps.nv.gov/divisions/highway-patrol/concealed-firearms

Nevada Attorney General - State legal opinions on firearm law.

• Website: ag.nv.gov
• Attorney General opinions: ag.nv.gov/Opinions

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) - Hunting regulations and firearm-overlay rules.

• Website: ndow.org
• Hunting regulations (including suppressor use, vehicle-firearm-during-hunt rules): ndow.org/hunt/regulations

Issuing sheriff's offices (CFP)

Clark County (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

• Website: lvmpd.com/ccw
• Address: 400 S Martin Luther King Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89106
• Phone: (702) 828-3271
• CFP Detail (specific to permit processing): 5800 W. Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas, NV 89146
• Hours: by appointment only for new applications; renewals walk-in during business hours

Washoe County Sheriff's Office (Reno)

• Website: washoesheriff.com
• Address: 911 Parr Boulevard, Reno, NV 89512
• Phone: (775) 328-3320
• CFP Section: (775) 328-2900
• Hours: M-F 8:00-17:00

Carson City Sheriff's Office

• Website: carson.org/government/departments/sheriff
• Address: 911 East Musser Street, Carson City, NV 89701
• Phone: (775) 887-2008
• Hours: M-F 8:00-17:00

Other Nevada Sheriffs (smaller counties)

• Churchill County (Fallon): (775) 423-3116
• Douglas County (Minden/Gardnerville): (775) 782-9911
• Elko County (Elko): (775) 738-3421
• Esmeralda County (Goldfield): (775) 485-6370
• Eureka County (Eureka): (775) 237-5330
• Humboldt County (Winnemucca): (775) 623-6429
• Lander County (Battle Mountain): (775) 635-1100
• Lincoln County (Pioche): (775) 962-5151
• Lyon County (Yerington): (775) 463-6620
• Mineral County (Hawthorne): (775) 945-2434
• Nye County (Tonopah/Pahrump): (775) 482-7800
• Pershing County (Lovelock): (775) 273-2641
• Storey County (Virginia City): (775) 847-0959
• White Pine County (Ely): (775) 289-8800

Federal government sources

ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives)

• Website: atf.gov
• Brady Permit Chart (status of state CCW permits as NICS alternatives): atf.gov/firearms/identify-prohibited-persons
• NFA application forms (Form 4, Form 1, Form 5): atf.gov/firearms/firearms-forms
• Industry compliance (FFL operations): atf.gov/firearms/firearms-industry

FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)

• Website: fbi.gov/services/cjis/nics
• Status of background-check delays and appeals process

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• Website: tsa.gov
• Firearm-in-checked-baggage rules: tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Legal Counsel

• Website: justice.gov/olc
• Federal interpretation of 18 U.S.C. Sections 921-930

Training and instructor resources

Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association (NvSCA) - Sets the statewide minimum training standards.

• Website: nevadasheriffschiefs.org
• CCW training standards: published documents on the NvSCA website

NRA Instructor Directory - Find NvSCA-approved NRA-certified instructors in Nevada.

• Website: nrainstructors.org
• Filter by Nevada residence

USCCA Instructor Network

• Website: usconcealedcarry.com
• Find USCCA-certified instructors in Nevada

Nevada Firearms Coalition (NVFAC) - State-level firearm-rights advocacy and instructor referrals.

• Website: nvfac.org
• Newsletter and legislative tracking

Las Vegas-area training facilities (a representative list, not exhaustive):

• Las Vegas Gun Range, 4610 Blue Diamond Road
• Front Sight Firearms Training Institute (Pahrump): frontsight.com
• Battle Born Munitions Inc.
• Westside Armory (multiple locations)
• Pro Gun Vegas, 7350 W. Sahara Avenue

Reno-area training facilities:

• Reno Indoor Gun Range, 5640 S. Las Vegas Boulevard (corrected to Reno address)
• Northern Nevada Firearms
• Carson Range (Carson City)

Reciprocity and travel resources

USCCA Reciprocity Map - Cross-reference Nevada CFP recognition in other states.

• Website: usconcealedcarry.com/reciprocity-map

NRA-ILA State Law Summaries

• Website: nraila.org/gun-laws
• Nevada-specific page

Handgunlaw.us - Comprehensive multi-state reciprocity database.

• Website: handgunlaw.us
• Nevada page with reciprocity matrix

Advocacy and legal-defense organizations

National Rifle Association (NRA)

• Website: nra.org / nraila.org (legislative branch)
• Member benefits include insurance for self-defense incidents.

Gun Owners of America (GOA)

• Website: gunowners.org

USCCA (U.S. Concealed Carry Association)

• Website: usconcealedcarry.com
• Self-defense insurance, training resources, legal-defense network

Second Amendment Foundation (SAF)

• Website: saf.org
• Litigation-focused

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC)

• Website: firearmspolicy.org
• Constitutional advocacy

Nevada Firearms Coalition (NVFAC)

• Website: nvfac.org
• State-level advocacy and resource hub

Legal-defense networks

U.S. Lawshield

• Website: uslawshield.com
• Nevada coverage available; flat-fee monthly subscription for legal representation in firearm-related incidents

CCW Safe

• Website: ccwsafe.com
• Pre-paid legal coverage for self-defense incidents

Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network (ACLDN)

• Website: armedcitizensnetwork.org
• Educational and legal support resources

Federal case-law and legal research

Free legal research tools:

• Justia - justia.com - free state and federal case access, statutory index
• Findlaw - findlaw.com - case briefs and statutes
• Google Scholar Case Law - scholar.google.com - full-text case search
• CourtListener - courtlistener.com - federal court records and decisions

Paid (often via Nevada State Bar membership):

• Westlaw / Lexis - comprehensive case databases
• Bloomberg Law

Nevada-specific firearm attorneys

Find a Nevada firearm attorney through:

• Nevada State Bar Lawyer Referral Service: (702) 382-0504 (Las Vegas) or (775) 329-4100 (Reno) - statebar.nv.gov
• NRA's network of Self-Defense Attorneys: nra.org/membership/business-alliance
• USCCA Attorney Network: usconcealedcarry.com (member benefit)
• Avvo (general attorney directory): avvo.com
• Justia Lawyer Directory: lawyers.justia.com

Notable Nevada firearm-law attorneys (not exhaustive; verify current practice):

• Bradley Hofland, Esq. (Las Vegas) - firearm defense and CFP appeals
• Robert McNamara, Esq. (Las Vegas) - second-amendment litigation
• Mark Coburn, Esq. (Reno) - firearm and self-defense law

Statutes cited in this guide

For convenient cross-reference, the principal Nevada statutes referenced in this guide:

• NRS 202.253 - Definitions for CFP framework
• NRS 202.257 - Carrying under the influence
• NRS 202.265 - School grounds restriction
• NRS 202.275 - Discharge of firearm
• NRS 202.280 - Discharge in inhabited area
• NRS 202.290 - Discharge of firearms (general)
• NRS 202.300 - Negligent storage
• NRS 202.310 - Sale or transfer to minor
• NRS 202.320 - Brandishing
• NRS 202.350 - Carrying concealed without permit
• NRS 202.360 - Persons prohibited
• NRS 202.366 - Term, revocation, suspension of CFP
• NRS 202.367 - Address change and duplicate permit
• NRS 202.3625 - Unfinished frames; bump stocks
• NRS 202.3653 - 202.369 - Concealed Firearm Permit framework
• NRS 202.3657 - Issuance criteria
• NRS 202.3667 - Duty to carry permit and ID
• NRS 202.3673 - Prohibited locations
• NRS 202.3677 - Renewal
• NRS 202.3678 - Application fees
• NRS 202.3683 - Immunity for sheriff and instructors
• NRS 202.3688 - Out-of-state permit reciprocity
• NRS 202.2547 - Universal background check
• NRS 200.120 - Justifiable homicide; Castle Doctrine; SYG
• NRS 200.130 - Reasonable-person standard
• NRS 200.160 - Additional justifiable homicide
• NRS 200.200 - Self-defense
• NRS 200.471 - Assault with deadly weapon
• NRS 33.500 - 33.670 - Extreme Risk Protection Order (red flag)
• NRS 41.095 - Civil-criminal self-defense coordination
• NRS 268.418 and NRS 244.364 - Preemption
• NRS 207.200 - Trespass
• NRS 503.165 - Loaded long gun during hunting
• NRS 484C.110 - DUI

Recent Nevada legislation referenced

• AB 286 (2021) - Ghost guns and bump stocks
• AB 291 (2019) - Universal background check; ERPO
• AB 354 (2023) - Sensitive places (election sites)
• AB 285 (2021) - Voluntary safe-storage surrender
• SB 175 (2015) - Codified Stand Your Ground

Federal statutes referenced

• 18 U.S.C. Section 921 - GCA definitions
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(a) - Federal transfer rules
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(b), (c) - Federal age restrictions
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(d) - Transfer to prohibited person
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) - Federal prohibited persons
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(o) - Pre-1986 machine guns
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q) - Gun-Free School Zones Act
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(t) - NICS requirement
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(x) - Handgun transfer to minor
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(z) - Dealer storage device
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926A - FOPA interstate transport
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926C - LEOSA
• 18 U.S.C. Section 930 - Federal facilities
• 26 U.S.C. Sections 5801-5872 - NFA
• 49 U.S.C. Section 46505 - Aircraft transport
• 27 C.F.R. Section 478.92 - Federal serialization
• 49 C.F.R. Section 1540.111 - TSA firearm transport
• 54 U.S.C. Section 104906 - National park carry

Disclaimer

This guide is intended as an educational resource and reference, not as legal advice. Nevada firearm law is complex and fact-specific. For any specific question about your situation, consult a Nevada-licensed attorney experienced in firearm law. Statutes change; verify current text before relying on any provision. The Nevada Department of Public Safety, the Nevada Attorney General, and the issuing sheriff's office are the authoritative sources for state-level questions; the ATF and FBI are the authoritative federal sources.

This guide is current as of May 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions - Nevada Firearms Law

General Questions

Is Nevada a constitutional carry state?

No. Nevada requires a Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP) to carry a concealed handgun in public. NRS 202.350. Open carry without a permit is permitted for adults 18 or older who are not prohibited persons.

How old must I be to carry concealed in Nevada?

21 for a Nevada CFP (or 18 if a member of the U.S. Armed Forces). NRS 202.3657(2).

How long is a Nevada CFP valid?

5 years from the date of issuance. NRS 202.366(1). Renewal requires a 4-hour refresher course and live-fire qualification.

Does Nevada recognize my permit from another state?

Nevada recognizes specific states' permits under NRS 202.3688. Check the current list at the Nevada Department of Public Safety website (dps.nv.gov) before traveling. The list is updated periodically as other states' laws change.

Does Nevada honor my state's permit if my state honors Nevada's?

Not necessarily. Reciprocity is one-way. Nevada may honor State X's permit while State X does not honor Nevada's. Check both ways before relying on cross-state recognition.

Can I carry openly in Nevada?

Yes for adults 18 or older who are not prohibited persons, in places not prohibited by state law or private-property posting. No permit is required for open carry of a handgun or long gun.

Can I keep a loaded handgun in my vehicle without a CFP?

Yes. A non-prohibited adult may keep a loaded firearm in their own vehicle without a permit. The firearm cannot be concealed on the person (CFP required) but may be in the glove box, console, or any other compartment. NRS 202.350(3)(a).

Permit Application Questions

What is the cost to get a Nevada CFP?

Typical total cost is $200 to $470 all in, including the application fee, fingerprint processing, background check, photo ID card production, and the firearms training course from a private instructor. See FEES_COSTS.

How long does the application take to process?

• Clark County (Las Vegas Metro): 60-90 days.
• Washoe County (Reno): 30-60 days.
• Carson City and rural counties: 30-45 days.

What disqualifies me from getting a Nevada CFP?

Under NRS 202.3657(4):

• Outstanding warrant for arrest;
• Judicial declaration of incompetence or insanity;
• Involuntary admission to a mental health facility within the prior 5 years;
• Habitual alcohol use that impairs faculties;
• Conviction of a misdemeanor crime involving force or violence within the prior 3 years;
• Felony conviction (any time);
• Conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or stalking;
• Subject to any protective or restraining order;
• Currently on parole or probation;
• Federal prohibitor under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) (felons, fugitives, unlawful drug users, etc.).

Do I need a separate permit to carry a long gun?

No. Open carry of a rifle or shotgun is lawful in Nevada without any permit for non-prohibited adults. There is no Nevada permit for concealed carry of a long gun (it would be infeasible anyway). NRS 202.350.

Can I get a CFP if I'm not a Nevada resident?

Yes. Non-residents apply to the sheriff of the Nevada county where they will spend the most time. Training must be completed in Nevada in the application county (or nearest county with approved instructors). Same shall-issue criteria apply. NRS 202.3657.

Can I get a CFP if I'm a military member stationed in Nevada?

Yes. Military members stationed in Nevada are treated as Nevada residents for CFP purposes. Active-duty military 18 or older meet the lower minimum age (NRS 202.3657(2)).

Training Questions

How long is the training course?

• New applicant: minimum 8 hours (one 8-hour course, or two 4-hour courses ≤15 days apart).
• Renewal: minimum 4 hours.

NvSCA Nevada Concealed Handgun Training Standards. See TRAINING_REQUIREMENTS.

Where can I take the training?

From any NvSCA-approved instructor in Nevada. Each Nevada sheriff approves instructors; once approved by any sheriff, the instructor is recognized statewide. Find an approved instructor through the Nevada Firearms Coalition (NVFAC) or your county sheriff's website.

Do I need to pass a written test and shooting test?

Yes for new applicants. The written examination requires 70% to pass; the live-fire qualification requires 70% on a humanoid-style target at 3, 5, and 7 yards.

Renewals: no written test; live-fire qualification still required.

Carry Questions

Can I carry concealed at work in Nevada?

Yes, if your employer permits. Nevada law does not categorically prohibit carry in workplaces (subject to NRS 202.265 for school employees and NRS 202.3673 for state and local government buildings). Most private employers have policies addressing firearm carry; check your employer's policy.

Can I carry concealed at a casino?

No, in practice. Every major Nevada casino-hotel has posted "no firearms" signs at primary public entries. Entry with knowledge of the posting and refusal to leave when asked is trespass (NRS 207.200). Some casinos enforce the policy strictly; others enforce only on disturbance.

Can I carry concealed in a bar or restaurant?

Yes, if the bar/restaurant has not posted against firearms. The CFP holder must comply with NRS 202.257 (carrying under the influence) and may not be impaired above the 0.10% BAC threshold while carrying.

Can I carry on school grounds?

No. NRS 202.265 prohibits firearm possession on K-12 public and private school grounds, with very narrow exceptions (peace officers, written principal permission, etc.). The CFP does not override this prohibition. Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act layers on top.

Can I carry in a state park?

Generally yes for CFP holders or for open carry, in Nevada state parks. Specific posted restrictions on certain park facilities (visitor centers, maintenance buildings) follow the NRS 202.3673 framework. Confirm with the specific park's regulations before relying.

Can I carry in a national park?

Yes for CFP holders within Nevada's national park lands (Great Basin, Death Valley sections in Nye County), under 54 U.S.C. Section 104906 (federal-park firearm rule deferring to state law). Federal buildings within the park (visitor centers, ranger stations) remain restricted under 18 U.S.C. Section 930.

Can I carry in a Las Vegas casino parking lot?

Yes for storage in vehicle, generally. Some casinos post their parking lots as restricted under their property rights; refusal to leave is trespass. Carrying on the person through the parking lot to the casino entrance may be acceptable so long as you do not enter the posted casino interior.

Can I carry on a Greyhound bus, Amtrak train, or RTC bus?

Greyhound: No - Greyhound prohibits firearms by policy. Firearms may be transported in checked baggage on certain routes.

Amtrak: Yes, in checked baggage on routes with checked-baggage service (unloaded, hard-sided case, ammunition packed separately, declared). Not in carry-on or on the train interior.

RTC bus (Las Vegas, Reno): No - RTC posts against firearm possession on transit; refusal to leave is trespass.

Can I carry while drinking alcohol?

Yes if BAC remains below 0.10% (NRS 202.257). The CFP does not exempt the holder from the carrying-under-the-influence prohibition. Best practice: don't drink while carrying.

Can I carry medical marijuana while having a firearm?

Federal answer: No. 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(3) prohibits firearm possession by an unlawful user of any controlled substance, including marijuana. Marijuana remains a federally controlled substance regardless of state legalization. Nevada state law (NRS 202.257(1)(b)) also prohibits actual possession of a firearm in public while having an unprescribed controlled substance in the system.

A Nevada medical-marijuana cardholder is federally prohibited from firearm possession. Lying about marijuana use on the ATF Form 4473 is a separate federal felony.

Self-Defense Questions

Do I have a duty to retreat in Nevada?

No for non-aggressors lawfully present in a location and not engaged in active criminal conduct. NRS 200.120(3) (SB 175, 2015). Stand Your Ground is codified.

Does the Castle Doctrine apply in my home?

Yes. NRS 200.120 codifies the Castle Doctrine. The presumption is that an intruder intends to commit a felony or great personal injury, justifying the use of deadly force. See CASTLE_DOCTRINE.

Can I shoot someone breaking into my car?

Generally no, unless the intruder presents a threat to a person inside the vehicle. Castle Doctrine extends to an occupied vehicle in some Nevada appellate readings. The general "defense of mere property" rule does not authorize deadly force.

What if I shoot someone in self-defense - do I have civil immunity?

Partial. A criminal acquittal on self-defense grounds is admissible in a subsequent civil action and the same defense standards apply (NRS 41.095). However, the civil case may proceed under the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard even if the criminal acquittal was beyond reasonable doubt. There is no Nevada Florida-style automatic civil-immunity rule.

Buying and Owning Firearms

Do I need to register my firearms in Nevada?

No. Nevada does not have a firearm registration requirement. NFA items must be federally registered (suppressors, SBRs, etc.).

Is there a waiting period to buy a handgun?

No. Nevada has no state-level waiting period for firearm purchases.

Is there a background check for private firearm sales?

Yes. NRS 202.2547 (AB 291, 2019) requires private firearm transfers to be processed through a licensed dealer, with exceptions for immediate family members and certain temporary transfers. See RESTRICTIONS.

Can I buy an AR-15 in Nevada?

Yes. Nevada does not have an assault-weapon ban. Federal age limits (18 for long guns from dealer; 18 for long guns from private; 21 for handguns from dealer; 18 for handguns from private under NRS 202.310 with limitations) apply.

Can I buy a high-capacity magazine?

Yes. Nevada does not have a magazine-capacity limit. Standard-capacity magazines (15, 17, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100 rounds) are all legal in Nevada.

Can I buy a suppressor (silencer) in Nevada?

Yes, with federal NFA registration (ATF Form 4, $200 transfer tax, 6-12 month processing). See NFA_ITEMS.

Can I buy a short-barreled rifle (SBR) in Nevada?

Yes, with federal NFA registration.

Can I buy a machine gun in Nevada?

Yes, but only pre-1986 transferable. Civilian machine gun ownership is limited to pre-May 19, 1986 transferable machine guns under FOPA (18 U.S.C. Section 922(o)). These are scarce and expensive ($30,000-$60,000 typical).

Travel Questions

Can I drive through Nevada with a firearm I purchased in another state?

Yes if you are not a prohibited person and the firearm is lawful at both your origin and destination states. Federal FOPA (18 U.S.C. Section 926A) provides an affirmative defense for transit. Best practice: unloaded, in a locked container in a trunk or compartment separate from the passenger area, with ammunition packed separately.

Can I fly with a firearm to/from Las Vegas or Reno airports?

Yes, in checked baggage. Declare at check-in, unloaded, hard-sided locked case, ammunition in separate hard-sided container. 49 C.F.R. Section 1540.111. Forgetting a magazine or cartridge in carry-on is a TSA violation (federal misdemeanor, fine, and possible permit consequences).

Can I take my Nevada CFP and firearm to California?

No. California does not recognize Nevada CFPs. The firearm itself may be lawful in California if it meets California's roster (not all firearms do), but the CFP framework does not transfer.

Can I take my Nevada CFP and firearm to Arizona?

Yes. Arizona recognizes Nevada CFPs under Arizona's reciprocity rules. Arizona is also a constitutional-carry state for those 21+, so the CFP is not technically required, but is helpful for cross-border travel.

Can I take my Nevada CFP and firearm to Utah?

Yes. Utah recognizes Nevada CFPs.

Specialty Questions

I'm a retired police officer. Do I need a Nevada CFP?

No under LEOSA (18 U.S.C. Section 926C) if you are a qualified retired LEO. You must have completed the qualifying firearms training within the prior 12 months and have your retired LEO identification. Nevada also recognizes the LEOSA carry in addition to its own CFP framework.

I'm an active military member. Can I carry concealed?

Yes with a Nevada CFP. Active-duty military is also eligible for LEOSA-style federal-installations carry rights (depending on the specific duty assignment). On Nevada-based military installations, carry is subject to base command's policies and federal restrictions.

Can I store a firearm at my hotel room in Las Vegas?

Generally yes, with the hotel's permission and following the hotel's policy. Most Las Vegas Strip hotels permit firearms in hotel rooms but require they be stored securely (typically in a hotel room safe). Confirm at check-in. Open carry through hotel lobbies is generally not advisable due to private-property policies even where state law permits.

What if a Nevada peace officer asks if I'm carrying?

You must answer truthfully (lying may be a separate offense under NRS 199.145). You must produce your CFP and government-issued photo ID on demand under NRS 202.3667. You are not required to proactively volunteer the firearm at the start of the contact. See DUTY_TO_INFORM.

What if I'm arrested for a CFP-related offense?

Contact a Nevada attorney specializing in firearm law immediately. The arrest may result in:

• Temporary suspension or revocation of the CFP under NRS 202.366;
• Surrender of the firearm to law enforcement evidence storage;
• A separate civil consequence if a wrongful-death or assault civil action is filed.

Several Nevada attorneys specialize in firearm law; consult the Nevada State Bar referral service or the NRA's network of firearm-defense attorneys.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.350 - Concealed carry without permit.
• NRS 202.3653 - 202.369 - CFP framework.
• NRS 200.120 - Self-defense; Castle Doctrine; Stand Your Ground.
• NRS 202.2547 - Universal background check.
• NRS 202.265 - School grounds.
• NRS 202.3667 - Duty to carry permit and ID.
• NRS 202.3673 - Prohibited locations.
• NRS 202.257 - Carrying under the influence.
• NRS 202.300 - Negligent storage.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) - Federal prohibitors.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q) - Gun-Free School Zones Act.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926A - FOPA.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926C - LEOSA.

See the corresponding sections of this guide for detailed treatment of each topic.

Nevada Firearm Laws - Other Topics

The Headline

This section covers Nevada firearm rules that do not fit cleanly into the dedicated sections of this guide: the universal background check (NRS 202.2547), dealer-delivery procedures, age limits for purchase and possession, domestic violence prohibitors, ammunition rules, antique firearms, hunting overlays, tribal-land jurisdiction, civil immunity for justified force, and federal preemption interactions. If a question does not belong in OVERVIEW, PERMIT_BASICS, CONCEALED_CARRY, OPEN_CARRY, CONSTITUTIONAL_CARRY, TRAINING_REQUIREMENTS, APPLICATION_PROCESS, FEES_COSTS, RENEWAL_PROCESS, PROHIBITED_PLACES, VEHICLE_CARRY, TRANSPORT, STORAGE, USE_OF_FORCE, CASTLE_DOCTRINE, DUTY_TO_INFORM, UNDER_INFLUENCE, RESTRICTIONS, NFA_ITEMS, RED_FLAG, PREEMPTION, RECIPROCITY, RESOURCES, or FAQ, the short answer is here.

Nevada is a relatively permissive firearms state with a defined set of stricter modifications (universal background check, ghost-gun ban, bump-stock ban) layered over a generally pro-firearm-rights statutory framework.

Universal background check (NRS 202.2547)

Since January 2, 2020, AB 291 has required that most private firearm transfers in Nevada be processed through a licensed dealer for a NICS background check. NRS 202.2547 codifies the rule.

Operative rule: a person transferring a firearm in Nevada (other than an excepted category) must:

1. Take the firearm to a Nevada-licensed firearm dealer;
2. The dealer processes a NICS check on the transferee;
3. The dealer logs the transfer in its FFL records (ATF Form 4473);
4. The dealer charges a transfer fee (typically $15-50).

Exceptions in NRS 202.2547(4):

• Transfers between immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, first cousin);
• Temporary transfers at a shooting range while the transferee is on the premises and engaged in lawful target shooting;
• Transfers in the home for self-defense purposes when the transferee will use the firearm only at the home;
• Transfers to/from a licensed dealer, peace officer in the performance of duty, military member in the performance of duty;
• Antique firearms (pre-1899 manufactured) and certain replicas;
• Estate transfers under probate.

Penalty for violation (NRS 202.2547(7)):

• First offense: gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days county jail, fine up to $2,000).
• Second or subsequent: Category C felony (1-5 years prison, fine up to $10,000).

Federal overlay:

• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(a)(5): federal prohibition on transferring a firearm between residents of different states except through an FFL. Nevada's universal background check is more demanding than the federal floor (federal allows direct intrastate private transfers).
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(d): federal felony to transfer to a prohibited person.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(t): federal NICS requirement on all dealer-handled transfers.

Dealer delivery

A Nevada FFL must:

1. Conduct a NICS background check through the FBI;
2. Verify the transferee's age (21 for handguns from dealer; 18 for long guns from dealer);
3. Process the ATF Form 4473 with the transferee's personal information and the firearm's serial number;
4. Issue the federal gun-storage device with handgun sales (18 U.S.C. Section 922(z));
5. Confirm Nevada-specific requirements (universal background check for private transfers, age verification, etc.).

Nevada does not have a waiting period for firearm dealer sales. A NICS clear result allows immediate delivery.

If NICS returns a delayed result (no immediate answer), federal law permits the dealer to wait up to 3 business days for a final answer. If no final answer comes, the dealer may deliver the firearm (default-proceed), though many Nevada dealers as a matter of policy hold the firearm until NICS clears. The federal default-proceed period was reaffirmed by the NICS Improvement Amendments Act and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, which extended the period to 10 days for transferees under 21.

Age limits for purchase and possession

Federal floor (18 U.S.C. Section 922(b), (c), (x)):

• 18 years old: minimum for purchase of a long gun (rifle, shotgun) from a federal dealer; minimum for general possession of a firearm.
• 21 years old: minimum for purchase of a handgun or handgun ammunition from a federal dealer.
• 18 years old: minimum for receiving a handgun via private transfer (the federal Section 922(b) restriction is dealer-specific; private transfers under federal law follow Section 922(x)).
• Under 18: federal Section 922(x) prohibits transfer of a handgun to a person under 18 except in narrow exceptions (parent's permission for hunting/target practice, etc.).

Nevada state floor:

• NRS 202.310: 18 years old for general possession of a firearm.
• NRS 202.310(1)(a): sale or transfer to a minor (under 18) is prohibited unless the transfer is to a parent or guardian for hunting/target practice with the parent's consent.
• NRS 202.3657(2): 21 years old for a Nevada CFP (18 for active military).

A 19-year-old purchasing a long gun from a Nevada FFL is permitted under federal law and Nevada law. A 19-year-old purchasing a handgun from a Nevada FFL is not permitted under federal Section 922(b). A 19-year-old receiving a handgun via private transfer in Nevada is permitted federally but must comply with NRS 202.2547 universal background check.

Domestic violence prohibitors

Nevada layers state and federal prohibitors on domestic violence convictions and protective orders.

• NRS 200.485: Nevada misdemeanor of battery constituting domestic violence; conviction may create state-level firearm restriction depending on the specific terms.
• NRS 200.495: Aggravated battery of a household member (felony); creates state-level firearm prohibition.
• NRS 33.030: Protective order against domestic violence; protective orders may include firearm-surrender provisions.
• NRS 33.500 - 33.670: Extreme Risk Protection Order (red flag); see RED_FLAG.

Federal overlays:

• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(8): federal prohibitor for person subject to a qualifying protection order. Affirmed in United States v. Rahimi, 602 U.S. 680 (2024).
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9): federal prohibitor for person convicted of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (Lautenberg Amendment).

A protective order in Nevada that includes firearm-surrender provisions triggers both federal prohibitor and state-level surrender obligations.

Ammunition rules

Nevada imposes no permit, registration, or background-check requirement on the purchase of ammunition. Federal 18 U.S.C. Section 922(d) still prohibits sale of ammunition to a prohibited person.

Ammunition for any firearm legal in Nevada (including AR-15, AK-47, magazine-fed) is lawful to purchase and possess. There is no state-level magazine-capacity limit, no caliber restriction, and no licensing requirement for ammunition.

A federal age restriction applies: 18 for rifle/shotgun ammunition from a dealer; 21 for handgun ammunition from a dealer (under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(b)(1)).

Ammunition sales by private parties are not subject to NICS or to NRS 202.2547 (which addresses firearm transfers, not ammunition). Private ammunition sales between adults are unrestricted in Nevada.

Antique firearms

Federal 18 U.S.C. Section 921(a)(16) defines an antique firearm as one manufactured in or before 1898, plus certain muzzleloaders and replicas. Antiques are largely exempt from the federal Gun Control Act framework. Nevada state law follows the federal definition for most purposes, meaning antique firearms:

• Are not subject to the universal background check under NRS 202.2547;
• Are not subject to the federal dealer NICS check under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(t);
• Are not subject to the federal storage device requirement (handgun only) under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(z);
• Remain subject to the felon-in-possession bar under NRS 202.360 and federal 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g), because the federal "firearm" definition for prohibited-persons purposes excludes antique firearms but state law may apply more broadly.

Curios and relics under ATF Form 4473 conventions are still ordinary firearms for state and most federal purposes. The C&R designation primarily affects FFL acquisition and interstate transfer mechanics for collectors, not state carry or possession rules.

Civil and criminal immunity for justified force

Nevada does not have a Florida-style automatic civil immunity statute for justified force. NRS 41.095 coordinates the criminal and civil standards: the same self-defense standards apply in both contexts. A criminal acquittal on self-defense grounds is admissible as evidence in a civil case, but does not automatically bar the civil action.

Civil practical effect: a defendant acquitted on self-defense grounds may still face a wrongful-death civil suit, with the case tried under the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard.

Nevada does not have a Florida Stand Your Ground pretrial immunity hearing. Self-defense remains an affirmative defense raised at trial. See USE_OF_FORCE.

Hunting overlay

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) regulates hunting under NRS Title 50 (Wildlife). Firearms used in hunting are subject to species-specific equipment rules (caliber minimums, magazine restrictions, prohibited devices) that are independent of NRS Title 15 (Crimes Against Public Health and Safety).

Key NDOW hunting-firearm rules:

• NRS 503.165: prohibits a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle in motion on a public road during hunting season; does not apply to handguns. A misdemeanor under Title 50.
• NRS 503.170: hunting at night with artificial light is prohibited.
• NAC 503.150: caliber minimums for big game (typically .25 caliber centerfire minimum for deer; varies by species).

A Nevada hunting license does not authorize concealed carry; a CFP or one of the lawful-outdoor-recreation exceptions in NRS 202.350(3)(a) is needed for that.

Hunting on private land requires landowner permission; hunting on tribal land requires tribal authorization. State firearms-possession rules still apply on tribal land for non-Indian persons under most circumstances, but tribal jurisdiction can be primary for tribal members.

Tribal lands

Tribal sovereignty in Nevada means tribal nations may regulate firearms within their reservation boundaries. State firearms law generally applies to non-Indian persons on fee-patent land within a reservation; tribal law governs tribal members and certain on-reservation conduct.

Major Nevada tribes:

• Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
• Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
• Walker River Paiute Tribe
• Las Vegas Paiute Tribe
• Yerington Paiute Tribe
• Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute Tribe
• Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone
• Battle Mountain Band

The interplay between state, federal, and tribal law on firearms is fact-specific. CFP holders crossing through reservation land should:

• Check tribal regulations for the specific reservation. Some tribal codes mirror state law; others add restrictions.
• Treat tribal gaming facilities (casinos) as posted private property where firearms are typically prohibited regardless of CFP status.
• Recognize that tribal police may detain and refer to state or federal authorities for prosecution.

Federal preemption and supremacy

Federal firearms law sets a floor that no state can fall below; Nevada has consistently legislated above that floor (universal background check, ghost-gun ban, bump-stock ban). When state and federal rules conflict, federal law generally controls only where the state rule is preempted (e.g., federal supremacy on dealer licensing). On substantive carry, possession, and transfer rules, Nevada's stricter framework governs in-state conduct.

Two federal statutes commonly intersect with Nevada law:

• 18 U.S.C. Section 926A (FOPA): protects interstate transport of an unloaded firearm in a locked container, with ammunition stored separately, when the person is traveling between two states where the possession is lawful. The protection is an affirmative defense, not pretrial immunity. See TRANSPORT.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926C (LEOSA): authorizes qualified active and qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed nationwide. LEOSA preempts most state location restrictions but does not override NRS 202.3673 prohibitions on the State Capitol grounds or in courthouses for non-judicial business.

Pending and recent legislation worth tracking

• AB 286 (2021) - Ghost gun ban, bump stock ban (NRS 202.3625).
• AB 291 (2019) - Universal background check (NRS 202.2547), Extreme Risk Protection Orders (NRS 33.500-670).
• AB 354 (2023) - Sensitive places restrictions (election sites).
• SB 175 (2015) - Codified Stand Your Ground.
• AB 285 (2021) - Voluntary surrender of firearms during mental health crisis.

Pending in the 2025 Nevada Legislature (status varies; check the legislative website):

• AB 233 (2025) - Constitutional carry proposal (died in committee).
• AB 138 (2023) - Similar constitutional carry proposal.
• Various amendments to the universal background check and ERPO frameworks.

Where to look next

• Nevada Legislature, leg.state.nv.us, for current NRS text. Search NRS Chapter 202 directly.
• Nevada Attorney General's office, ag.nv.gov, for opinions and consumer advisories on firearms enforcement.
• Nevada Department of Public Safety, dps.nv.gov, for CFP and reciprocity status.
• Nevada Department of Wildlife, ndow.org, for hunting-overlay rules.
• ATF Brady Permit Chart at atf.gov for the current status of Nevada CFP as a NICS-alternative permit.
• Nevada Supreme Court, nvcourts.gov, for case-law searches on NRS 202 interpretation and on Second Amendment challenges.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.2547 - Universal background check.
• NRS 202.260 - Possession of explosive.
• NRS 202.265 - School grounds.
• NRS 202.310 - Sale to minor.
• NRS 202.350 - Concealed carry without permit.
• NRS 202.360 - Persons prohibited.
• NRS 200.120 - Justifiable homicide.
• NRS 200.485 - Battery constituting domestic violence.
• NRS 200.495 - Aggravated battery of household member.
• NRS 41.095 - Civil-criminal coordination.
• NRS 33.030 - Protective orders.
• NRS 33.500 - 33.670 - ERPO.
• NRS 503.165 - Loaded long gun during hunting.
• NRS 207.200 - Trespass.
• NRS 268.418, NRS 244.364 - Preemption.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 921(a)(16) - Antique firearm.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(a)(5) - Federal interstate transfer.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(b), (c) - Dealer age limits.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(d) - Transfer to prohibited person.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) - Federal prohibitors.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(t) - NICS.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(x) - Handgun to minor.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(z) - Dealer storage device.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926A - FOPA.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926C - LEOSA.

This catch-all reflects Nevada law as of May 2026. Universal background check enforcement, ERPO frequency, and tribal-jurisdiction interactions continue to evolve. Confirm current status before relying on any provision affected by pending appellate review or pending agency rulemaking.