Nevada concealed carry laws and reciprocity
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Quick answers
- Does Nevada have permitless (constitutional) carry?
- No. Nevada does not allow permitless carry; a carry permit is generally required. NRS 202.350 makes it a category C felony to carry a concealed pistol, revolver or other firearm without a permit or another statutory exemption. (Verified Oct 18, 2026.)
- Does Nevada honor out-of-state concealed carry permits?
- Nevada honors permits from these jurisdictions: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho (Enhanced License to Carry Concealed Weapons (I.C. 18-3302K)), Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi (Firearm Permit with Enhanced Carry endorsement), Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota (Class 1 Firearm License), Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota (Enhanced Permit to Carry a Concealed Pistol), Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Nevada recognizes concealed carry permits from the 28 states on the Department of Public Safety list effective July 1, 2026, prepared under NRS 202.3689 (Idaho, Mississippi and South Dakota enhanced permits and North Dakota Class 1 only). Under NRS 202.3688, a holder who becomes a Nevada resident may not carry on the out-of-state permit after 60 days without a Nevada permit. (Verified Oct 18, 2026.)
- Do I have to tell police I'm carrying a gun in Nevada?
- When asked. In Nevada you must disclose that you are carrying, or show your permit, when an officer asks. A permittee carrying a concealed firearm must carry the permit and proper identification and present both if requested by a peace officer, subject to a $25 civil penalty (NRS 202.3667). This applies to permit holders. (Verified Oct 18, 2026.)
- Can I carry a loaded handgun in my car in Nevada?
- Yes. In Nevada a loaded handgun may be carried in a private vehicle without a permit. NRS 202.350 prohibits carrying a pistol or other firearm concealed upon the person without a permit, but no Nevada statute prohibits keeping a loaded handgun elsewhere in a private vehicle without a permit; NRS 503.165 separately bans carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun (round in the chamber) in or on a vehicle on a public way. A handgun concealed on the person inside a vehicle still requires a concealed firearm permit. (Verified Oct 20, 2026.)
Out-of-state permits
Listed statesNevada honors permits from the jurisdictions listed below. Nevada recognizes concealed carry permits from the 28 states on the Department of Public Safety list effective July 1, 2026, prepared under NRS 202.3689 (Idaho, Mississippi and South Dakota enhanced permits and North Dakota Class 1 only). Under NRS 202.3688, a holder who becomes a Nevada resident may not carry on the out-of-state permit after 60 days without a Nevada permit.
Honored
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Idaho (Enhanced License to Carry Concealed Weapons (I.C. 18-3302K))
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi (Firearm Permit with Enhanced Carry endorsement)
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota (Class 1 Firearm License)
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota (Enhanced Permit to Carry a Concealed Pistol)
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
At a traffic stop
Duty to inform police
Must disclose when askedA permittee carrying a concealed firearm must carry the permit and proper identification and present both if requested by a peace officer, subject to a $25 civil penalty (NRS 202.3667). This applies to permit holders.
Loaded handgun in a vehicle
AllowedNRS 202.350 prohibits carrying a pistol or other firearm concealed upon the person without a permit, but no Nevada statute prohibits keeping a loaded handgun elsewhere in a private vehicle without a permit; NRS 503.165 separately bans carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun (round in the chamber) in or on a vehicle on a public way. A handgun concealed on the person inside a vehicle still requires a concealed firearm permit.
Carrying
Permitless carry
No, permit requiredNRS 202.350 makes it a category C felony to carry a concealed pistol, revolver or other firearm without a permit or another statutory exemption.
Permit issuance
Shall issueThe sheriff shall issue a permit to any applicant qualified to possess a handgun who is 21 or older (or 18 to 20 and current or honorably discharged military), is not otherwise prohibited, and completes an approved firearm safety course (NRS 202.3657).
Non-resident permits
YesA person who is not a Nevada resident may apply to the sheriff of any county in the state for a permit (NRS 202.3657).
Open carry
AllowedNRS 202.350 prohibits only concealed carry without a permit, and NRS 244.364 reserves regulation of carrying firearms to the Legislature and voids conflicting county ordinances.
Vehicles
Places
No-gun signs carry force of law
VariesA permittee may not carry concealed in a public building that has a sign at each public entrance indicating no firearms are allowed, a misdemeanor under NRS 202.3673. NRS chapter 202 contains no comparable provision for signs on private property.
Restaurants that serve alcohol
AllowedNRS chapter 202 does not bar firearms from bars or restaurants, but it is a misdemeanor to have a firearm in actual physical possession with a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, except within one's own residence solely for self-defense (NRS 202.257).
State parks
AllowedNRS 407.0475 bars state park regulations from restricting possession of firearms more than state law does, and voids any regulation that does.
Places of worship
AllowedNRS chapter 202 does not list places of worship among the locations where firearms or concealed carry by permittees are prohibited.
College campuses
RestrictedCarrying or possessing a firearm on Nevada System of Higher Education property is a gross misdemeanor unless the person has written permission from the president of the branch or facility (NRS 202.265); permittees likewise need that permission for NSHE public buildings (NRS 202.3673).
Prohibited places
See listFor everyone, firearms are barred on the property or in vehicles of public and private schools, child care facilities and the Nevada System of Higher Education without written permission (NRS 202.265). Permittees also may not carry concealed in public buildings on airport property, public buildings on school, child care or NSHE property without permission, or public buildings with a metal detector or no-firearms sign at each public entrance, subject to listed exceptions (NRS 202.3673).
Self-defense
Stand your ground
Yes, no duty to retreatA person is not required to retreat before using deadly force in justified self-defense if they are not the original aggressor, have a right to be present, and are not engaged in criminal activity (NRS 200.120).
Magazines, rifles & NFA items
Magazine capacity limit
No limitNRS chapter 202 (revised through the 2025 session) contains no magazine capacity limit, and NRS 244.364 preempts county firearm regulation.
Assault weapons ban
NoNRS chapter 202 (revised through the 2025 session) bans devices or modifications that make semiautomatic firearms fire like machine guns (NRS 202.274) but contains no assault weapons ban.
Suppressors (state law)
LegalNRS 202.350 prohibits possessing or using a silencer unless authorized by federal law, and exempts persons licensed, authorized or permitted to possess one under federal law.
Short-barreled rifles (state law)
LegalPossessing a short-barreled rifle is a category D felony under NRS 202.275, except for federal licensees, a person to whom it is federally registered, and federally designated collector's items or curios and relics.
Short-barreled shotguns (state law)
LegalPossessing a short-barreled shotgun is a category D felony under NRS 202.275, except for federal licensees, a person to whom it is federally registered, and federally designated collector's items or curios and relics.
Getting a Nevada permit
- Concealed Firearm Permit (CCW) (also issued to non-residents)