Can I get my gun rights restored after a Nevada conviction?

Posted on December 13, 2022

Playlist: Pardons and guns

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A pardon. People who have been convicted of a felony in Nevada are no longer allowed to own or possess guns. The only way they can get their gun rights restored is to receive a pardon from the Nevada government.

1. Does a pardon help restore Nevada gun rights?

Yes. Unfortunately, the only way to restore your Nevada gun rights following a felony conviction is to receive a pardon from the Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners.¹

But note that pardons do not seal the felony conviction. Also, note that pardon applicants have to specifically ask for gun rights to be restored.

If they do not, a pardon will only restore a person’s civil rights (such as the right to vote and serve on a jury).

2. How do pardons work in Nevada?

The Nevada Board of Pardon Commissioners meets at least twice a year to consider pardon applications.

Only convicted felons who are no longer serving their sentence may apply for pardons. (Note that people convicted of misdemeanor battery domestic violence may apply for pardons as well.)

Furthermore, it’s advised that applicants wait a “significant period of time” before submitting a pardon application to show that they have been fully rehabilitated.²

The government grants very few pardons, and it typically does not allow rejected applicants to reapply. Therefore it is recommended that applicants retain counsel to compose the pardon application. Call the Nevada Pardons Board at 775-687-5049 for an application. Learn more about Nevada pardon laws and the Nevada definition of deadly weapons.

Legal References:

NRS 213.090.
Criteria and Application Instructions, Nevada Pardons Board.

About the Author

Neil Shouse

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.

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