So long as you are not otherwise barred from possessing firearms, you may open carry in Nevada even if you are not a state resident. However, there are some limitations as to the places where you can open carry.
Who cannot open carry guns?
Certain people are prohibited from carrying weapons ever. Some of these include:
- Fugitives;
- Illegal aliens;
- Drug addicts;
- People adjudicated as mentally ill or who have been committed;
- Convicted felons;
- People dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces;
- People convicted of domestic violence or stalking (even as a misdemeanor); and
- People subject to a domestic violence protection order
These people are also ineligible to conceal carry as well.
Being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm (NRS 202.360) is a category B felony in Nevada. The punishment is:
- 1 – 6 years in prison (or 1 – 4 years if you are undocumented or mentally ill), and
- Up to $5,000 fine
Note that children under 18 usually cannot open carry guns, but there may be some exceptions, typically related to hunting. Read more about Nevada juvenile gun laws.
Where can people open carry in Nevada?
Open carry should be lawful except in the following locations:
- Childcare facilities (unless you have written permission);
- Schools (unless you have written permission);
- Nevada System of Higher Education, which includes UNLV and UNR (unless you have written permission);
- Airport secure areas (beyond TSA checkpoints);
- Legislative buildings;
- VA facilities;
- Post offices;
- Federal facilities;
- Military bases (with some exceptions); and
- Hoover Dam
There may be some exceptions depending on the situation. You should research or consult an attorney before carrying your gun to one of these facilities.
Note that you may carry guns at Red Rock, but only if they are unloaded.
What if there is a “no firearms sign”?
You do not have to abide by “no firearm” signs if guns are otherwise legal there. People who post “no guns” signs have no lawful authority.
However, the property owner can always request that you leave if you have a gun. Then if you say no, you could face a citation for trespass under NRS 207.200. Trespass is a misdemeanor. The penalty is:
- Up to 6 months in jail, and/or
- Up to $1,000 in fines
What qualifies as open carry?
Like it sounds, open carry is carrying a gun so it is visible to other people. Examples of open carry are:
- Carrying a gun in a holster on a belt that is not covered by other clothing;
- Carrying a rifle in a sling-type fashion;
- The “Virginia Tuck”: Carrying inside a waistband holster where the pistol butt remains in view; or
- The “Mexican Carry”: Tucking the gun in a waistband with no holster
Once a shirt, coat, or another article of clothing covers a gun, it is considered concealed and not open.
Can non-residents conceal carry in Nevada?
Yes, if you have a both a state ID and a current and valid CCW permit from a state that Nevada has reciprocity with:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Idaho (Enhanced Permit)
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi (Enhanced Permits)
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota (Class 1 only)
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota (Enhanced Permits)
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah (Both types of permits)
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
If you move to Nevada and wish to continue to conceal carry, you have to get a Nevada CCW within 60 days. After that, your out-of-state CCW will not be valid in Nevada.
Concealed carry without a valid permit (NRS 202.350) is a category C felony. The penalty is
- 1 – 5 years in Nevada State Prison, and
- Up to a $10,000 fine (at the judge’s discretion)
If you have a CCW permit but just forgot to carry it, you instead have to pay a $25 civil fine.
Do I need a background check to buy a gun?
If you have a current and valid CCW permit, you should be able to purchase a firearm in Nevada without a background check. Otherwise, you must submit to a background check whether or not the purchase is commercial or private.
Can I have assault weapons in Nevada?
Nevada law does not specifically address assault weapons. However, federal law prohibits possessing machine guns (fully automatic weapons) unless they were legally bought or obtained and registered prior to May 19, 1986. Otherwise, possessing a machine gun is a felony carrying:
- Up to 10 years in federal prison, and/or
- Up to $250,000 in fines.
Learn more about Nevada gun laws. Also learn about spring gun laws.
