An arrest does NOT guarantee a conviction. We may be able to get the charges reduced or dismissed without a trial. Visit our page on Nevada criminal defense laws to learn more.
Nevada Criminal Defense
An arrest does NOT guarantee a conviction. We may be able to get the charges reduced or dismissed without a trial. Visit our page on Nevada criminal defense laws to learn more.
Nevada DUI
Getting arrested for DUI does not mean you will be convicted. Police misconduct, defective breathalyzers and crime lab mistakes may be enough to get your charges lessened or dismissed. Visit our page on Nevada DUI Laws to learn more.
Nevada Family Law
Few legal matters have the potential to alter an individual's life more than a legal dispute between family members. Visit our page on Nevada family law to learn more.
Nevada Immigration
Immigrating to the U.S. is a gauntlet of forms, rules and interviews. But our attorneys are committed to making the process as quick and easy for you as possible. Visit our page on Nevada immigration laws to learn more.
Nevada Personal Injury
If you have been injured in an accident, we will fight to recover the biggest settlement possible in your case. Visit our page on Nevada personal injury laws to learn more.
24/7 Help:
(702) 333-3673
Please note: Our firm only handles criminal and DUI cases, and only in California. We do not handle any of the following cases:
And we do not handle any cases outside of California.
Call Us NowPosted on
Nevada knife laws generally make it legal to carry dirk-knives and daggers in Las Vegas, but with three qualifications:
It is a Nevada crime to carry concealed dangerous or deadly weapons without a CCW permit. This probably includes dirks and daggers.
A knife is considered concealed if it is unnoticeable through ordinary observation. Carrying a knife on a belt buckle is considered open as long as a jacket or other clothes is not covering it.
A first offense of concealed carry of a dirk or dagger without a CCW permit is a gross misdemeanor. It is punishable by:
A subsequent offense is a category D felony, punishable by:
Clark County law mandates that you get the sheriff’s permission to carry concealed knives with a blade length of three (3) inches or longer. The permit-less concealed carry of a dirk or dagger with a three-inch or longer blade is a misdemeanor in Clark County, even for a first offense. Penalties include up to 6 months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines.2 For additional information, contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department at 702-828-3111.
Note that Nevada has no statewide preemption for knife laws. This means municipalities can make local laws that are harsher than state laws.
For more information see our article on carrying concealed weapons (NRS 202.350).
It is generally illegal in Las Vegas to carry knives openly or concealed in:
The unlawful possession or carry of knives at a school is a gross misdemeanor, even if no one sustains bodily harm. It is punishable by:
There are exceptions: Law enforcement officers, peace officers, and security guards may carry weapons on the premises. If the child care facility doubles as your home, you can keep knives on the premises as long as children cannot access them.3
Learn more about possessing weapons at schools or childcare facilities (NRS 202.265).
Nevada law prohibits drawing or brandishing dirks or daggers in a rude, angry, or threatening manner in the presence of two (2) or more other people. This crime is a misdemeanor, carrying:
A common defense to this crime is that you were acting in lawful self-defense.4
For more information see our article on drawing a knife in a threatening way (NRS 202.320). Note that brandishing a knife is a less serious offense than assault with a deadly weapon (NRS 200.471(2)(b) (ADW), which is a felony carrying prison time.5
Yes, you may open carry a sword in Nevada as long as the location does not prohibit knives, such as schools and child care facilities.6
In general, it is legal to carry a dagger in public as long as the Nevada location is not a knife-free zone such as a school or child care facility. Though a CCW permit may be required to carry the weapon concealed.7
No. Brass knuckles are prohibited in Nevada. Possessing “metal knuckles” (which is what Nevada law calls “brass knuckles”) is usually a gross misdemeanor in Nevada, carrying:
In general you can use guns, knives, and stun guns for self-defense. Though it is always illegal in Nevada to possess blackjacks, slungshots, billies, sand-clubs, sandbags or metal knuckles.9
Call our law firm for help. We offer consultations and create attorney-client relationships in Las Vegas, NV, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, and throughout Nevada.
See our related article, Are butterfly knives legal in the state of Nevada? And see our article on Nevada knife laws for information on other types of knives including machetes, pocket knives, trefoils, throwing stars, balisongs, fixed-blade knives, switchblade knives, and sword canes. Finally, see our article, Carrying a concealed weapon in Las Vegas – 3 things to know.
Arrested in California? Go to our informational articles on California knife laws.
Arrested in Colorado? See our article on Colorado knife laws, possession a weapon on school grounds (CRS 18-12-105.5), carrying concealed weapons in Colorado, or possessing of a dangerous weapon (CRS 18-12-102).
A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, The Today Show and Court TV. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.