No. Bump stocks are unlawful to possess, make, transfer, or sell in Nevada.
Bump stocks were outlawed in response to the Las Vegas Massacre on October 1, 2017, where a shooter in the Mandalay Bay used a bump stock on his semi-automatic rifle to kill 58 people and injure hundreds more.1
Penalties in Nevada
Possessing, making, transferring, or selling a bump stock is a category D felony in Nevada. The punishment includes:
- 1 to 4 years in Nevada State Prison and
- Up to $5,000 in fines (at the court’s discretion).2
Bump stocks were legal under Nevada gun law prior to January 1, 2020.3
Federal Law
Bump stocks are currently lawful under federal law. This is because federal law no longer considers bump stocks “machine guns,” which are prohibited unless they were lawfully possessed and registered prior to May 19, 1986.
There was a federal ban on bump stocks from March 26, 2019 to June 14, 2024.4 Before this federal ban was lifted, possession of a bump stock was a federal felony carrying:
- Up to 10 years in Federal Prison and/or
- Up to $250,000.5
On April 11, 2025, two U.S. Congressional lawmakers from Nevada introduced the Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts (BUMP) Act, which would re-institute the federal bump stock ban. The bill – S. 1374 – is currently in the initial stages of the legislative process.6
Possessing bump stocks is a felony in Nevada.
What are bump stocks?
Bump stocks are rifle accessories that take the place of the gun’s “standard stock,” which is the piece that rests against the shooter’s shoulder.
Bump stocks do not technically convert semi-automatic guns to automatic ones. However, as long as the shooter holds down the trigger and places pressure on the barrel, the bullets will fly almost as quickly as with an automatic firearm.
The Las Vegas Massacre shooter used several semi-automatic weapons that he modified with bump stocks, which allowed the firearms to fire faster. He was able to unleash approximately 90 shots in only 10 seconds.
Bump stocks make semi-automatic weapons fire faster.
Additional Resources
For more information about firearms laws, look at the following government websites:
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): The primary federal agency responsible for enforcing laws related to firearms and explosives.
- National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS): The FBI manages this system used for conducting background checks on individuals attempting to purchase firearms from licensed dealers.
- Department of Justice (DOJ): The DOJ oversees the enforcement of federal gun laws, and its website often publishes information regarding initiatives to reduce gun violence, new regulations, and resources related to firearms.
- National Institute of Justice (NIJ): As the research, development, and evaluation agency of the DOJ, the NIJ funds and conducts research on crime and justice issues, including firearms and gun violence.
- Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the Department of Commerce: While primarily focused on export controls, BIS regulates the export of certain firearms and related components that are not under the jurisdiction of the Department of State.
Legal References
- Kyndell Kim & Steve Wolford, Gov. Sisolak signs ‘One October Bill’ banning bump stocks in Nevada, News3-NBC (June 14, 2019). NRS 202.274. Nevada Assembly Bill 291 (2019). Mark Sherman, Supreme Court will rule on ban on bump stocks, used in Las Vegas mass shooting, Las Vegas Review-Journal (November 3, 2023).
- NRS 202.274.
- See note 1.
- Bump Stocks, ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives). See also Gargill v. Garland, (5th Circuit, 2021) 20 F.4th 1004. See also Gun Owners of Am., Inc. v. Garland (6th Circuit, 2021) 120321 FED6, 19-1298.
- 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(2).
- Grace Da Rocha, Lawmakers from Nevada reintroduce legislation banning bump stocks, Las Vegas Sun (April 11, 2025).
