Concealed Carry in Nevada

The Headline

Nevada requires a Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP) to carry a concealed handgun on or about the person in public. Nevada is not a constitutional carry state. Carrying concealed without a permit is a felony under NRS 202.350. The CFP framework lives in NRS 202.3653 - 202.369 and the regulations at NAC Chapter 202.

The CFP is shall-issue to qualified applicants under NRS 202.3657. The issuing authority is the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence.

What "concealed" means

Under NRS 202.350(1)(d), "carrying a concealed weapon" means carrying any firearm concealed upon one's person without a permit issued under NRS 202.3653 - 202.369. "Concealed" is not defined in detail in the statute; Nevada courts interpret the term to mean hidden from ordinary observation by a person within ordinary proximity. A firearm carried in a holster on the outside of clothing in plain view is generally not concealed and falls under the open carry framework (see OPEN_CARRY).

Edge cases:

• A firearm carried in a handbag or backpack is concealed.
• A firearm carried in a fanny pack designed for firearm carry is concealed.
• A firearm in a vehicle glove box or center console is not "on or about the person" in the open-carry sense; vehicle carry rules apply (see VEHICLE_CARRY).
• A printing handgun under loose clothing is concealed; the lack of complete visibility is enough.

Who may carry concealed

Under NRS 202.3657(2), a person may carry a concealed handgun in Nevada if they:

• Hold a valid Nevada CFP; or
• Hold a CFP from a state Nevada recognizes under reciprocity (NRS 202.3688; see RECIPROCITY); or
• Are a qualified active or qualified retired law enforcement officer under federal LEOSA (18 U.S.C. Section 926C).

There is no exception for a person who has applied but not yet received a CFP. There is no exception for a person carrying for self-defense without a permit (Nevada does not recognize a "necessity" defense to NRS 202.350 in routine carry situations).

What the CFP authorizes

A Nevada CFP authorizes the holder to carry a concealed handgun on or about the person. The permit specifies the firearm to which the application pertained at the time of issuance under earlier law; under current statute and NvSCA standards, the holder may carry any handgun that the holder is legally permitted to possess. The CFP does not specify make, model, or caliber.

The CFP does not authorize carry of:

• A long gun concealed (the CFP framework applies only to handguns; concealed long-gun carry would fall under NRS 202.350 with no permit available).
• An explosive or incendiary device.
• A short-barreled rifle or shotgun, machine gun, or destructive device, unless lawfully registered under the federal National Firearms Act and otherwise compliant.

When the CFP must be carried

Under NRS 202.3667, a CFP holder carrying concealed must have the permit and government-issued photo identification on their person at all times while carrying. Failure to carry the permit or to display it when requested by a peace officer is a misdemeanor under NRS 202.3667(2), unless the holder demonstrates within five days of citation that the holder was a valid permittee at the time.

The peace officer's request for the permit must be in conjunction with a lawful stop or contact; a CFP does not create a stand-alone authority to demand identification. See DUTY_TO_INFORM for the disclosure obligation.

Where concealed carry is and is not permitted

A CFP authorizes concealed carry throughout Nevada except in the locations listed in NRS 202.265 and NRS 202.3673, and except in federal restricted locations under federal law. See PROHIBITED_PLACES for the full list.

Locations where a CFP does not authorize concealed carry include:

• Public or private 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 and meet the statutory posting requirements.
• Federal courthouses, federal buildings posted under 18 U.S.C. Section 930, military installations, and certain Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service restricted areas.
• Secured areas of airports under 49 U.S.C. Section 46505.
• Casino premises that have posted "no firearms" signs at primary entries (private property restriction, enforceable as trespass under NRS 207.200 if the carrier refuses to leave when asked).

Concealed carry on private property

A private property owner or person in lawful control may exclude firearms from their premises. Nevada does not have a "gun-buster sign with force of law" statute - posting is not itself a criminal offense for entry. However, if a person carries onto posted private property and refuses to leave when asked, the person commits trespass under NRS 207.200 (a misdemeanor), and the carry conduct may be additionally charged if other elements are met.

Carry into a place of business that has not posted a notice is generally lawful for a CFP holder unless the business is otherwise restricted by statute.

Carry by non-residents holding a Nevada CFP

A non-resident holding a Nevada CFP may carry concealed in Nevada under the same rules as a resident permittee. The non-resident's CFP is recognized in any state that recognizes Nevada CFPs by reciprocity (see RECIPROCITY).

Carry under reciprocity

Nevada recognizes the concealed carry permits of states identified by the Nevada Department of Public Safety under NRS 202.3688. A person carrying in Nevada under another state's permit must comply with all Nevada laws regulating concealed carry, including the prohibited-places list and the duty-to-inform rule. See RECIPROCITY for the current list and verification process.

Penalty for carrying concealed without a permit

Under NRS 202.350(2)(c):

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

Federal prohibition: 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q) (Gun-Free School Zones Act) layers on top of NRS 202.265 for firearm possession within 1,000 feet of a school.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.350 - Carrying concealed without a permit.
• NRS 202.3653 - Definitions for the CFP framework.
• NRS 202.3657 - Application, eligibility, shall-issue requirement.
• NRS 202.3667 - Duty to carry permit and ID.
• NRS 202.3673 - Prohibited locations under the CFP.
• NRS 202.3688 - Reciprocity authority.
• NRS 202.265 - School grounds (firearm prohibition).
• NRS 207.200 - Trespass.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 926C - LEOSA.
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q) - Gun-Free School Zones Act.

See OPEN_CARRY for unconcealed carry, VEHICLE_CARRY for in-vehicle rules, PROHIBITED_PLACES for the location restrictions, and DUTY_TO_INFORM for the peace-officer disclosure rules.