“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.”
AT A GLANCE
Nevada is a shall-issue state. No permit or firearms registration is required when buying from a private individual in Nevada. Open carry is legal without a permit. Anyone 18 and older may openly carry. Concealed carry is legal for residents with a Firearm permit and for non-residents with a license/permit from a state Nevada honors. Nevada recognizes permits from states that meet specific criteria and maintains the list on its website. Nevada is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” law. There is no duty to retreat. Force which is intended or likely to cause death or bodily injury is immune from civil liability or the wrongful death.
Reciprocal Carry
By statute, Nevada will recognize another state’s license to carry if that state recognizes Nevada’s license:
“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 may carry a concealed firearm in this State in accordance with the requirements set forth in NRS 202.3653 to 202.369, inclusive.”
Anyone contemplating reciprocal carry should check with the official list maintained by the Nevada Law Enforcement Agency at the time the reciprocal carry is to occur. Nevada’s reciprocity agreements can be viewed online.
Duty To Notify Police Officer
Nevada does not require individuals to inform a LEO of a permit or license to carry but if an Officer asks about a weapon, by law, an answer must be supplied. Each permittee must carry their permit and proper identification whenever they are in actual possession of a concealed firearm. Both the permit and proper identification must be presented if requested by a LEO.
Carrying Firearms In Vehicles
Nevada permits anyone who is legally allowed to possess firearms to carry them in a vehicle without a permit, openly or concealed. Long guns must be unloaded when transporting in an automobile unless You are paraplegic or have had a leg amputated.
NFA Items
Nevada permits ownership of all NFA items, provided they are legally obtained pursuant to federal law. Hunting with suppressors is legal.
Self-Defense Laws
Nevada has both Castle Doctrine and SYG laws. There is no duty to retreat from any place You have a legal right to be. You may use force, including deadly force, in defense of yourself or others if You reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death, SBI, the commission of a forcible felony, or to stop the unlawful & forcible entry into a dwelling with intent to harm an occupant.
Carry In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol
Nevada has no laws prohibiting the carrying of firearms in restaurants that serve alcohol. You can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol. Places like Fridays or Chili’s unless they have a “No Gun Sign,” then it is suggested that You not carry into the establishment. This does not include a bar or the bar area of a restaurant – You are prohibited from carrying into these areas. You can carry Your firearm into a restaurant that serves alcohol, but You are prohibited from carrying while intoxicated (having a blood alcohol level of .10 or greater).
Do “No Gun Signs” Have The Force Of Law?
“No Firearm” signs in Nevada do not have the force of law unless they are posted on property that is specifically mentioned in State Law as being off limits to those with a permit/license to carry. However, as a possessor with a real property interest, a retailer, has the right to limit, and qualify the right to enter the property, subject to not carrying a handgun. It would be improper to enter, and the licensee would be subject to ejection for possession of a handgun thereat. Failure to leave once requested would subject the licensee to criminal charges.
Open Carry
Open carry is legal in Nevada. The state preempts all firearm laws in the state and local authorities cannot have laws/ordinances against open carry. Remember that if You enter any property and the owner/responsible person asks You to leave, You must leave. Failure to leave can result in trespass charges. The minimum age to open carry is 18.
DISCLAIMER: The Gun Laws by State Guide (GLBSG) was created to provide its readers with a general educational resource tool to explore the pertinent gun laws in Your jurisdiction.
However, the GLBSG was not researched and/or written by attorneys as a specific legal guide to rely upon. Instead, it is a starting point for your own research. In addition, all laws are always subject to reasonable, but different, legal interpretation as to meaning and application.
As such, the GLBSG is not intended to supplant, nor limit, Your need for independent verification of any and all material contained herein and consultation with competent counsel of choice regarding any specific issues.
This type of specific legal analysis is necessarily beyond the general educational objective of the GLBSG and for which a bar-admitted attorney in the particular state(s) is needed and required. The content of this GLBSG is a general restatement of the law.
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