NV: State Firearms Laws

NEVADA
(As of August, 1995)

PLEASE NOTE: In addition to state laws, the purchase, sale
and (in certain circumstances) the possession and interstate
transportation of firearms is regulated by the Gun Control
Act of 1968 as amended by the Firearms Owners' Protection
Act. Also, cities and localities may have their own firearms
ordinances in addition to federal and state laws. Details
may be obtained by contacting local law enforcement
authorities, and by consulting the State Laws and Published
Ordinances_Firearms, available from the U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. 


QUICK REFERENCE CHART

                         Rifles and
                         Shotguns       Handguns
Permit to Purchase       NO             NO
Registration of Firearms NO             NO
Licensing of Owner       NO             NO
Permit to Carry          NO             YES*

* A permit is required to carry a concealed firearm.

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION

"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." Article 1, Section 11, Paragraph 1.

POSSESSION

     No state permit is required to possess a rifle, shotgun or
handgun.

     A minor under 14 years of age may not possess a firearm
unless accompanied by or under the immediate charge of an adult.
It is unlawful to sell to a person under 18 a firearm capable of
being concealed on the person.**
     It is unlawful for a person convicted of a felony  to own a
pistol or possess any firearm.***

**Firearms capable of being concealed upon the person include all
firearms having barrels less than 12 inches in length.

***A firearm is any weapon with a caliber of .177 or greater
which expels a projectile by means of explosive, spring, gas, air
or other force. 

CARRYING

     It is unlawful to "carry concealed upon the person" a
handgun or other firearm without a permit to carry. A permit may
be obtained from the sheriff of the county where the applicant
resides. Exceptions to this prohibition include:

     1) Sheriffs, constables, marshals, peace officers,
policemen, and special police officers. 
     2) Any person summoned by a peace officer to assist in
making arrests or preserving the peace while actually engaged in
assisting the officer.   
     3) Members of the Armed Forces of the U.S. when on duty.

     It is unlawful to carry a loaded rifle or shotgun in a
vehicle that is being used on a public highway. A firearm is
loaded if there is an unexpended cartridge or shell in the firing
chamber but not when the only cartridges or shells are in the
magazine.

     Carrying an unloaded handgun in the glove compartment is not
considered to be "carrying concealed."

ANTIQUES/REPLICAS

     Nevada statutes are silent on antique and replica firearms.
They are treated as ordinary firearms for possession and carrying
purposes.

MACHINE GUNS

     It is lawful to possess, purchase or sell a machine gun that
is legally registered and possessed in compliance with all
federal laws and regulations.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     It is unlawful to set any "spring or trap" gun.

     No person may, in the presence of two or more persons, draw
or exhibit a firearm in a "rude, angry or threatening manner" not
in necessary self-defense. It is unlawful to use a firearm in any
fight or quarrel.

     No person may discharge any bullet, projectile, or
ammunition of any kind which is a tracer or incendiary in nature
on any grass, brush, forest or crop covered land.

     It is unlawful to change, alter, or remove or obliterate the
serial number of any firearm. Possession of such a firearm is
prima facie evidence that the possessor has changed, altered,
removed or obliterated the serial number.

     It is unlawful to hunt from an aircraft, helicopter or motor
driven vehicle, including snowmobiles. A paraplegic hunter may
shoot from any stopped motor vehicle which is not parked on the
traveled portion of a public highway.

     It is unlawful to discharge a firearm from, upon, or across
any federal or state highway or main or general country road.

     Any person who uses a firearm or other deadly weapon in the
commission of a crime shall be imprisoned for a term equal to and
in addition to the term of imprisonment prescribed by statute for
such crime. The court shall not grant probation or suspend the
sentence in cases of murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, or
robbery.

     It is unlawful to manufacture or sell any metal penetrating
bullet capable of being fired from a handgun.

     It is unlawful to possess, manufacture, or dispose of a
rifle with a barrel under 16 inches in length, a shotgun under 18
inches, or a rifle or shotgun with an overall length under 26
inches. Exempt are peace officers and persons authorized by
federal laws as importers, manufacturers, or dealers.

     A pupil may not possess a firearm in the premises of any
public school without approval by a teacher or administrator of
the school.

     After June 13, 1989, no county or city may regulate the
transfer, possession, registration, and licensing of firearms and
ammunition.


CAUTION: State firearms laws are subject to frequent change.
The above summary is not to be considered as legal advice or
a restatement of law. To determine the applicability of
these laws to specific situations which you may encounter,
you are strongly urged to consult a local attorney.

Compiled by:
NRA Institute for Legislative Action
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, Virginia  22030
1995, NRA Institute for Legislative Action

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Association Institute for Legislative Action, Fairfax, VA.

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