Nevada Background Check and Gun Laws

Nevada law does not require the registration of firearms. However, handgun owners in Clark County must register their concealable firearms at a law enforcement agency within an incorporated city of Clark County.

 

Nevada is a "shall issue" state for concealed carry. The county sheriff shall issue a concealed firearms permit to qualified applicants. A person must take a class to receive the CCW concealed carry permit and must qualify by demonstrating use of the exact model handgun that the person will carry.

 

States that honor Nevada's CCW permit: Alaska, Arizona, Florida*, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas*, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan*, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah (*Residential Permits Only)

 

State CCW permits that Nevada honors: Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee

 

Nevada is a traditional open carry state with seemingly complete state preemption of firearms laws. However, several localities have passed and are enforcing "Deadly Weapons" laws which conflict with the preemption laws, and whose legality is therefore at issue. Were this not the case, Nevada would qualify as a "Gold Star" open carry state. Effective Oct 1, 2007 is legislation that prohibits counties/cities/towns from enacting ordinances more restrictive than state law – the legislature reserves for itself the right to legislate firearms law. This law is retroactive. Hence the more restrictive ordinances in North Las Vegas and Boulder City are null and void.

 

Also effective Oct 1, 2007 a CCW permittee can qualify with a revolver and thereafter carry ANY revolver (or derringer) – the permit will simply state "Revolvers Authorized"; however, one must continue to qualify with each make/model/caliber of semi auto pistols.

 

The CCW permit costs $105, and is valid for 5 years for residents and 3 years for non-residents.