Nevada Gun Laws as to Automatic Weapons

Nevada gun law does not prohibit possessing machine guns (automatic weapons). However, federal law prohibits the possession of machine guns unless they were lawfully possessed and registered prior to May 19, 1986.

In order to lawfully transfer a legally-owed machine gun in Nevada, you must obtain a permit from ATF (the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives). This typically requires a $200 excise tax.

In order to transfer a machine gun between states, the ATF has to give approval.¹ Also, some states such as California ban machine guns completely.²

In this article, I address what you need to know about Nevada automatic weapons laws.

Penalty for Unlawfully Having a Machine Gun

The illegal possession of a machine gun is a federal felony. The sentence is:

• Up to 10 years in federal prison, and/or
• A fine of up to $250,000.³

It does not matter if you are an otherwise lawful and careful firearms owner.

What Qualifies as Machine Guns

Federal law describes a machine gun as:

[A]ny weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.⁴

The Legality of Semi-Automatic Guns

Semi-automatic firearms are legal in Nevada. Note that bump stocks – which essentially convert semi-automatic weapons into automatic firearms – are no longer illegal under federal law. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the bump stock ban on June 14, 2024.⁵

A federal bump stock ban had been implemented in reaction to the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas shooting by Stephen Paddock. The gunman shot from the Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. This mass shooting killed 60 concertgoers.⁶

Also note that Nevada has no laws concerning high-capacity magazines.⁷

People Who Cannot Have Machine Guns

Nevada state law forbids the following people from carrying, possessing, or owning any type of firearm in the state of Nevada:

1. People convicted of domestic violence (even as a misdemeanor) in the U.S.
2. People convicted of stalking a family member or current or former intimate partner in the U.S.
3. Convicted felons in the U.S. unless the person received a pardon restoring the right to bear arms.
4. People subject to an extended protection against domestic violence, and the order prohibits them from possessing firearms.
5. Fugitives.
6. Drug addicts or unlawful users of controlled substances.
7. People prohibited by federal law from having a gun (this includes anyone dishonorably discharged from the armed forces as well as anyone who renounced their American citizenship).
8. People adjudicated as mentally ill or committed to a mental health facility by a court in the U.S.
9. People who pleaded guilty but mentally ill in the U.S.
10. People found guilty but mentally ill in the U.S.
11. People acquitted of a crime by reason of insanity in the U.S.
12. Undocumented aliens.

The prohibited possession of a firearm is a felony carrying up to six years in Nevada State Prison.⁸

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I legally shoot a fully automatic machine gun in Las Vegas?

While it is heavily restricted for civilians to purchase and own machine guns, Las Vegas is home to several commercial shooting ranges that possess specialized federal licenses (Federal Firearms License with a Class 3 SOT). These licenses allow the ranges to legally own and rent out both pre-1986 and post-1986 fully automatic weapons for tourists and locals to shoot in a controlled environment.

How much does it cost to legally buy a machine gun in Nevada?

The cost is significant. Because civilians can only buy fully automatic weapons manufactured and registered before May 19, 1986, the supply is strictly capped. This means a legally transferable machine gun often costs anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the model. In addition to the cost of the firearm, buyers must pay a one-time $200 federal tax stamp to the ATF.

How long does it take the ATF to approve a machine gun transfer?

Buying a transferable machine gun is not a quick process. After purchasing the firearm and submitting your ATF Form 4 (along with fingerprints, photographs, and the $200 tax stamp), you must wait for the ATF to process the background check and approve the transfer. Wait times fluctuate but typically range from six to 12 months. You cannot take possession of the weapon until the ATF approves the stamp.

What is the difference between a semi-automatic and a fully automatic weapon?

Under federal and Nevada state law, the distinction comes down to the trigger function. A semi-automatic weapon fires exactly one bullet for every single pull of the trigger. An automatic weapon (machine gun) continues to fire multiple bullets automatically as long as the trigger remains pressed down.

Are silencers and short-barreled rifles (SBRs) legal in Nevada?

Yes. Like machine guns, suppressors (silencers), short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA). Nevada state law does not ban them. Provided you are not a prohibited person, you can legally own these items in Nevada by submitting the proper paperwork to the ATF, passing a background check, and paying the required $200 tax stamp.

Is a bump stock considered a machine gun?

As of a June 2024 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Garland v. Cargill, bump stocks are no longer classified as machine guns under federal law. A bump stock is an accessory that helps a shooter fire a semi-automatic weapon more rapidly, but because it does not alter the firearm to fire more than one shot per single function of the trigger, it does not meet the legal definition of an automatic weapon.

Is the federal ban on machine guns a violation of the Second Amendment?

No. Federal appellate courts have consistently upheld the constitutionality of the machine gun ban. In the 2025 case United States v. Charles, the Eighth Circuit reaffirmed that fully automatic weapons are considered “dangerous and unusual” and do not fall under the Second Amendment protections granted to firearms in common use for self-defense.

Additional Resources

For more information, refer to the following:

• Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence – A nonprofit advocating for stricter gun laws.
• Gun Control Act of 1968 – A federal law regulating firearm sales and ownership.
• 1994 Assault Weapons Ban – A federal law prohibiting certain semi-automatic firearms.
• National Rifle Association – A lobbying group promoting gun rights.
• Gun Owners for Responsible Ownership – An advocacy group supporting balanced gun regulations.
• Nevada Attorney General – The state’s top legal officer overseeing law enforcement.

See also our related articles on concealed firearms/concealed weapons, assault weapons, background checks, open carry state laws, obtaining a conceal carry permit for handguns (“shall issue”), short-barreled long guns and shot guns, and silencers.

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Legal References