Nevada allows possession of firearms in the state, but you must do that only in compliance with the state statutes.

There are location restrictions for the possession of firearms, and also the type of weapons you can use

To open carry in Nevada, you must be familiar with state gun laws that are related to the practice.

Nevada Gun Laws Summary

Nevada issues concealed firearm permits for the possession of guns within the state.

It is a shall-issue state and with application reviewed at the local county level.

Nevada does not issue a purchase permit to buy firearms in the state, but it is compulsory to complete the criminal record background check before finalizing a purchase.

Even a Nevada firearm permit does not exempt anyone from the background check.

To apply for the permit, you must be at least twenty-one years old or eighteen years old if you are a member of the United States Armed Forces.

The permit is valid for both residents and non-residents of the state.

Is It Legal To Open Carry In Nevada?

Yes. You can open carry in Nevada if you are eighteen years old or more, and you do not have any restriction order from the state or federal level to do so.

Nevada also prohibits felons from the possession of firearms in the state.

Open Carry Laws In Nevada

Nevada is a permissive open carry state, and you do not need a permit to open carry within the state.

The state allows possession of machine guns and silencer firearms for anyone that has a license for such guns and comply with federal laws and requirements to use it.

Nevada Open Gun Law Quick View

Law/PolicyLong GunsHandgunsComments
State permit for open carry.NoNoYou do not need a permit to open carry firearms in Nevada.
Firearm registrations for open carry.YesYesNevada does not have any law that requires you to register a firearm before using it to open carry.
Assault weapon for open carry.YesYesYou can manufacture, purchase, sell, and possess assault weapons in the state as long as you register it and comply with federal law registration to use it.
Magazine limitNoNoThere are no magazine limits for firearms, and the state does not prohibit the use of high capacity firearms.
License for the owner of a firearm.Not requiredNot requiredNevada does not issue any other license to firearm owners in the state.
Red flag lawYesYesNevada has a red flag law for filing petition against someone unfit to make use of firearms in the state
Castle doctrine lawYesYesNevada is a castle doctrine state, and you have no duty to retreat in your home of residence or workplace
Background check for private dealersEvery firearm sale in Nevada must be through a federally licensed dealer who is equipped to carry out the statutory criminal record background check.
PreemptionYesYesNevada has preemption gun laws, with the state having the authority to regulate the use of firearms. However, local areas can prohibit the discharge of firearms within their premises and the use of concealed weapons.
Concealed carry permit.YesYesYou can only conceal carry with Nevada concealed firearm permit.
Concealed carry in personal vehicleYesYesTo conceal carry in your vehicle, you must have a Nevada firearm permit.
Open carry in SchoolsNoNoYou cannot open carry in school, colleges, universities, technical institutions, and their facilities.

Where Is It Legal To Open Carry In Nevada?

Nevada gun laws do not prevent the open carry of firearms in the following parts of the state:

  • Restaurants and bars: You can open carry and possess your firearms in restaurants and bars, except there is a post restricting such or you are under the influence of alcohol.
  • Personal vehicle: You can open carry in a private car, but the firearm must be in plain sight and visible.
  • Roadside areas: You can open carry along roadside areas in Nevada.
  • State parks and forests: You can open carry along state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas.
  • Places of Worship: You can open carry in places of worship, except there is a post prohibiting such.

Where Is It Illegal To Open Carry In Nevada?

You cannot open carry or possess your firearm in the following areas in Nevada:

  • Schools: You cannot open carry in schools, and this includes preteen schools, colleges, universities, and every other technical institution, as well as in facilities that they use.
  • Daycare centers: You cannot open carry or possess firearms in daycare centers or any other facility used for children’s care in Nevada.
  • Public buildings: You cannot possess firearms in public buildings that have post prohibiting the possession of firearms in their premises, or that have a metal detector device to check people entering the building.
  • Airport areas: You cannot open carry or possess firearms in safety zones of airport areas in Nevada.
  • Law enforcement offices: You cannot open carry or possess firearms in law enforcement agency offices or facilities.
  • State prisons: You cannot open carry or possess firearms in state prisons, jails, detention homes, or correctional facilities.
  • Courthouses: You cannot open carry in a state courthouse or during proceedings in a courtroom.
  • Legislative buildings: You cannot open carry in state legislative buildings or anywhere that legislative body uses for their business.
  • Prohibited places: You cannot open carry in places like hoover dam, red rock conservation area, and other areas prohibited by Nevada gun law or federal laws.

FAQs About Open Carry Nevada

Some of the most frequently asked questions about Nevada open carry and other related circumstances include the following:

Do I Need A Permit To Open Carry In Nevada?

No. You do not need a permit to open carry firearms in Nevada.

Can I Conceal Carry Without A Permit In Nevada?

No. To conceal carry in Nevada, you need a firearm permit.

What Is The Age Requirement For Open Carry In Nevada?

You can open carry in Nevada from eighteen years old or more.

At What Age Can I Begin To Conceal Carry In Nevada?

The minimum age requirement for concealed carry in Nevada is twenty-one years old.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement For Obtaining A Firearm Permit In Nevada?

You must be at least twenty-one years old to apply for a firearm permit in the state.

Members of the military can apply when they are eighteen years old.

Does Nevada Have A Red Flag Law?

Yes. Family members, anyone living together in a dwelling place or a law enforcement officer, can file a petition to restrict an individual’s possession of firearms within the state if they deem such an individual as a threat.

Can Non-residents Apply For Firearm Permits In Nevada?

Yes, Nevada firearm permits are open to non-residents and residents of the state.

At the same time, non-residents can conceal carry in Nevada with a permit issued by another state with similar gun laws.

Is Nevada A Constitutional carry State?

No. Nevada does not permit constitutional carry within the state.

Does Nevada Allow The Open Carry Of Knives In The State?

You can open carry any type of knife in Nevada, but there are location restrictions just like that of firearms.

Does Nevada Allow Concealed Carry Of Knives?

Yes, it is lawful to conceal carry knives, but Nevada prohibits concealed carry other dangerous weapons like daggers, dirks, etc.

Municipality laws can also restrict or prohibit the handling of dangerous weapons.

An example is Clark county that prohibits concealed carry of any knife type that has a blade longer than three inches.

The only exception to this is if you have permission from the county sheriff to possess such a weapon.

Can I Open Carry All Types Of Firearms In Nevada?

No. It is illegal to manufacture, sell or possess a rifle that has a barrel length less than sixteen inches, a shotgun that has a barrel length less than eighteen inches, or rifle and shotguns with total length less than twenty-six inches.

Do I Need A Purchase Permit To Buy Firearms In Nevada?

No. Nevada does not issue purchase permits to buy firearms in the state.

Is It Mandatory To Complete Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying Firearms In Nevada?

From the beginning of 2020, the Nevada state government mandated that every firearm sale in the state should be only through federally licensed sellers equipped to carry out the NICS criminal record background check.

The only exception to background checks is the transfer of firearms between family members.

When Will Nevada Firearms Permit Expire?

The firearm permit is valid for four years, after which you have to apply for a renewal.

Do I Have A Duty To Inform Law Enforcement Officers About My Possession Of Firearms In Nevada?

No. The state gun laws do not require anyone to notify a police officer about possession of firearms when they come across one.

Does Nevada Have Castle Doctrine Policy?

Yes. There is no duty to retreat in places of residence and workplaces as long as you are not the initial aggressor of an attack.

Is The Use Of Deadly Force Permitted In Nevada?

Yes. But the use of deadly force must be in good faith and reasonable during self-defense.

You can also make use of deadly force to protect yourself from rape, kidnapping, or imminent death.

Is It Compulsory To Complete Firearm Training Before Applying For Firearm Permit In Nevada?

Yes, you must demonstrate firearm expertise by completing a training class that is state-approved and conducted by a certified state instructor.

Must I Register My Firearm Before Making Use Of It In Nevada?

No, there are no laws in the state that require you to register a firearm before using it.

Relevant Open Carry Laws And Legislature In Nevada

Some of the state statutes relating to open carry in Nevada that you must know, include the following:

Ammunition Restrictions

You cannot make use of metal penetrating bullets in Nevada. Also, the state prohibits the manufacture and sales of such bullet types within its jurisdiction.

Preemption Gun Laws

Yes, The state government has full authority to regulate the use of firearms within Nevada’s territory.

However, local municipalities and counties can still:

  • Control and prohibit the shooting of firearms within their local boundaries.
  • Control the possession and handling of firearms by employees who need them to carry out their primary duties.

Brandishing Of Firearms

It is a crime to point a firearm intentionally, be it a pistol or revolver, at another person in the state. It does not matter if the gun is loaded or not.

Anybody who possesses a dangerous weapon and unlawfully draws it out in the presence of other people, in an annoying or threatening matter, is guilty of a crime in Nevada.

The only exception to this is while using the weapon in self-defense, or using a firearm lawfully.

Red Flag Law

Nevada enforces red flag law in the state.

This law permits members of a family or law enforcement officers to petition a licensed possession of a firearm if the individual is a dangerous person or could cause injury to himself or others.

Upon a court of law approving this petition, the person will no longer be able to buy, sell, or possess a firearm in his or her custody.

Possessing Of Firearms While Under The Influence

It is illegal to handle firearms while under the influence of alcohol in Nevada.

The state defines under the influence of alcohol as a blood alcohol concentration level of more than 0.08.

Nevada statute does not limit under the influence of only inhibition of alcohol.

This could also be drugs, any intoxicating or controlled substance by the drug law enforcement agency.

Furthermore, it is unlawful to inhale or use any organic solvent in such a way that makes you unable to handle your firearm in the best physical state.

However, this statute does not prohibit the handling of firearms in a personal residence, or while exercising self-defense.

Open Carry While Hunting

Nevada gun law allows the possession of firearms while hunting and even in an archery season.

But while bow hunting, you can only make use of archery tools or muzzle firearms. Open carry here is for just self-defense, you cannot use the gun to take any animal.

Firearms for bow hunting must be less than eight inches long, and not have a telescopic sight.

Additional Resources

Nevada Gun Laws
Nevada Concealed Carry Laws
Nevada Gun Permit Laws

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