Nebraska concealed carry laws and reciprocity

Anyone carrying a concealed handgun, with or without a permit, must immediately inform a peace officer or emergency services personnel who contacts them, and must carry and display ID when asked (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-1202.03 and 28-1202.04). The duty does not apply when the handgun is unloaded, kept separate from ammunition and enclosed in a case for transport.

A person who is not a minor or prohibited person may carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle without a permit (28-1202.01). In public parking areas of restricted locations, the handgun must be locked in the glove box, trunk or another vehicle compartment before exiting.

A person other than a minor or prohibited person may carry a concealed handgun anywhere in Nebraska, with or without a permit, subject to listed restrictions (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-1202.01). A minor is anyone under 21, except persons 18 or older who are military, National Guard, ROTC or law enforcement (28-1201); the State Patrol states this applies to residents and non-residents.

The State Patrol shall issue a concealed handgun permit within 45 days to an applicant who meets the statutory requirements, which include being at least 21, completing approved training, and residing in Nebraska for at least 180 days.

The Nebraska permit is available only to residents of the state, with residency provisions for military members stationed in Nebraska and their spouses.

The State Patrol states that open carrying a firearm is not statutorily prohibited by Nebraska law, and Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-330 voids county, city and village ordinances regulating possession or transportation of firearms.

Carrying a concealed handgun onto premises open to the public where the person in control has posted conspicuous notice prohibiting it, or has asked the person to remove it, is a Class III misdemeanor for a first offense (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-1202.01).

Concealed handguns are prohibited in liquor-licensed establishments that derive over half their income from alcohol sales (28-1202.01). It is also an offense to carry a concealed handgun while consuming alcohol or with any previously consumed alcohol in one's blood, urine or breath (28-1202.02).

State parks are not among the places listed in Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-1202.01(3), so a person may carry a concealed handgun there unless the person in control of the premises has prohibited it under subsection (2). Game and Parks Commission rules (Title 163, ch. 5, sec. 001.10E) prohibit hunting or the use of firearms in state parks, state recreation areas and state historical parks except designated hunting areas and seasons, law enforcement, Commission training and designated ranges.

Concealed handguns may not be carried into a place of worship (28-1202.01). A place of worship may authorize its own security personnel to carry after giving written notice to the congregation.

Possessing a firearm in a school, on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity is a Class IV felony, and 'school' includes community colleges, colleges and universities (28-1204.04, 28-1201). Exceptions include a concealed handgun locked inside a vehicle in a public parking area and an unloaded, cased firearm in a vehicle driven by a nonstudent adult.

Concealed handguns are barred from police and State Patrol stations, jails and prisons, courtrooms and buildings containing a courtroom, polling places during elections, meetings of local governing bodies and the Legislature, financial institutions, professional or semiprofessional athletic events, school property and events, places of worship, hospitals and trauma centers, political rallies and fundraisers, bars deriving over half their income from alcohol, posted premises, and places where state or federal law prohibits firearms (28-1202.01; 28-1204.04). Since LB1237 (2026), weapons are barred from the State Capitol except for holders of a permit under the Concealed Handgun Permit Act, those with State Patrol approval, and law enforcement.

Deadly force is not justifiable if the actor knows they can avoid it with complete safety by retreating, except that there is no duty to retreat from one's dwelling or place of work (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-1409).

Nebraska's weapons statutes restrict machine guns, short rifles and short shotguns (28-1203) but set no magazine capacity limit, and 13-330 voids local firearm regulations.

Nebraska's weapons statutes restrict machine guns, short rifles and short shotguns (28-1203) but contain no assault weapons ban, and 13-330 voids local firearm regulations.

Nebraska's weapons article (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-1201 through 28-1222) defines and restricts machine guns, short rifles and short shotguns (28-1203) but contains no provision on firearm silencers or suppressors. The value rests on the absence of any state suppressor provision; federal NFA rules apply separately.

Possessing a short rifle is a Class IV felony under 28-1203, except for persons qualified under federal law relating to short rifles.

Possessing a short shotgun is a Class IV felony under 28-1203, except for persons qualified under federal law relating to short shotguns.