Where Are Guns Not Allowed In Nevada?

Residents and out-of-state visitors who own a firearm need to be fully informed about the federal and state laws and regulations that prohibit carrying a gun in specific locations in the State of Nevada. While open carry applies throughout the state, and concealed carry with a permit is allowed in certain situations, firearms are not allowed at all in some locations. Failing to abide by those limitations can result in facing criminal charges.

Open Carry and Concealed Carry in Nevada

Nevada law permits open carry of firearms everywhere in the state for persons who are eighteen (18) years of age and over, except for excluded locations. No registration or permit is required for openly carrying a gun on your person, but hunting with a firearm does require a license. Open carry means that a person may visibly carry a firearm, unless a specific federal or state law prohibits it, and there are situations in which open carry is not allowed in Nevada. Violating a prohibition can result in criminal charges.

A valid CFP (Concealed Firearms Permit) / CCW (Carry Concealed Weapon) permit is required to carry a concealed weapon in Nevada. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) issues CFP / CCW permits that are valid throughout the state. Under a reciprocity agreement, Nevada recognizes gun permits from many other states. However, even with a permit, concealed firearms are prohibited entirely in certain locations. Carrying a concealed firearm without a valid Nevada CFP / CCW permit is a serious criminal offense in Nevada.

Where Are Guns Prohibited in Nevada?

The Nevada open carry laws do not allow guns in:

• Public and private schools, childcare facilities, and property of the Nevada System of Higher Education, unless written permission is secured
• Post Offices
• Legislative buildings
• Veterans Administration facilities
• Federal facilities, including military bases, with some exceptions
• Public buildings with metal detectors or signs prohibiting firearms 

Even if you have a valid CFP / CCW permit, you generally may not carry a concealed weapon in:

• Law enforcement agency facilities
• Prisons, jails, or other detention facilities
• Courthouses
• Public buildings with metal detectors or signs prohibiting firearms
• Any school facility, without written permission
• Public airport (beyond TSA checkpoints) or public building located on public airport property
• Buildings in national parks

National parks recognize state firearm laws, including open carry and CFP / CCW laws, and allow gun possession when in compliance with Nevada law (and the law of any other state where the park is located), if an individual is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. However, firearms may be prohibited in certain areas or federal facilities within a park, like visitor centers and government offices. It is essential to check the gun rules for a specific park before you visit.

While no law prohibits firearms on private premises, owners of private property may prohibit guns on their property. For example, most casinos, hotels, and resorts in Las Vegas do not allow open or concealed carry on their premises. An establishment that prohibits firearms can legally ask anyone with a gun to leave. Refusal to leave constitutes trespass, which is a misdemeanor criminal charge.

If you plan to carry a firearm, open or concealed, it’s important to make certain that the laws and regulations applicable to the places you plan to visit do not prohibit carrying a gun.

Other Cautions

In addition to knowing where firearms are permitted and where they are prohibited, the owner of a gun must be familiar with Nevada laws that restrict specific conduct by a person with a firearm. One of the most important such laws is the prohibition against possessing a gun while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Carrying a firearm while under the influence constitutes a serious criminal offense.

Special rules apply to carrying a firearm in a vehicle. Generally, open carry is legal in a vehicle. A CFP / CCW permit is required to have a concealed gun in a vehicle. Bear in mind that even in circumstances when carrying a gun in a vehicle is permitted, you are not allowed to drive the vehicle in areas where firearms are prohibited. Overall restrictions on who may carry a firearm in a vehicle and where you may take a firearm in a vehicle apply in the same way they apply to carrying a gun outside a vehicle. If the law does not permit you to own or possess a firearm, or you go to a place where guns are not allowed, you cannot have a gun inside a car.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Las Vegas Firearms Attorney

Las Vegas criminal defense attorney Joseph Gersten represents visitors and residents on all federal and state gun charges in Clark County and other Nevada jurisdictions. If you face a firearms charge or encounter another legal issue relating to firearms, contact The Gersten Law Firm to schedule your free consultation.