Nevada concealed carry laws directly impact gun owners

In a state where a mother was cuffed and then banned from a library for openly carrying a firearm, despite no prohibiting open Carry laws, Nevada Concealed Carry laws should be of equal concern, if not more so, to the average gun owner.

Her case revolved around disruptive behavior, according to the library district whom the judge sided with, and not because firearms are not allowed in libraries. Yet, the self-defense weapon was the reason they barred entry and caused her to react.

Before tucking an everyday Concealed Carry into that waistband, take a note from this case and study up on how to carry legally and where to do so.

Nevada concealed carry laws dictate where a firearm is allowed

Don’t get kicked out of libraries (or, rather, locations legitimately barring firearms on the premises) -- know where Nevada concealed carry laws prohibit firearms.

Nevada legislation, specifically NRS 202.3673, lays out the location prohibitions and rights.

A permittee may carry concealed in any public building, but not if that building is on a public airport’s property. A permittee may not carry in a public child care facility, public school or on the Nevada System of Higher Education’s property.

There is a caveat to that, however, in subparagraph (3) of paragraph (a) subsection (3) of NRS 202.265. Concealed carry in educational settings is allowed with written permission from the Nevada System of Higher Education, the principal of the school or those designated at a childcare facility to grant the respective right.

Do not try to carry concealed in a public building that has metal detectors at all entrances. This is outlined in Nevada law, but it should be common sense.

There are exceptions for those attached to court proceedings, having law enforcement privileges or who have written permission.

There are qualifying federal locations where firearms are also prohibited. As much as gun owners love law-abiding everyday carry, there will always be exceptions and limitations. Living with those until more legislation is passed is just another daily burden.

In general, however, there doesn’t have to be ambiguity with locations. Beyond the previously mentioned locations, according to the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, these are the generally prohibited locations:

• Law enforcement agency facilities
• Correctional and detention facilities like prisons and city/county jails
• Courthouses and courtrooms
• Any building owned and occupied by any governmental body

So, what if the concealed carrier is just passing through, possibly for a weekend in Las Vegas?

Nevada concealed carry reciprocity

At the risk of cashing in on a phrase with very little tread on its tires, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and if a weapon is brought illegally without abiding by Nevada concealed carry reciprocity agreements, that weapon could be confiscated in the appropriate circumstances.

That search and seizure practice is afforded to police officers through NRS 171.1232.

In line with SB 175 and AB 488 of the 2015 Nevada legislative session and effective July 2016, Nevada published a list of 29 states’ permits it recognizes. There are a few circumstances according to NRS 202.3688 that affect how an out of state carrier may carry concealed, but they boil down to residency.

Essentially, make sure to carry the recognized permit at all times if traveling to Nevada and carrying everyday.

It’s important to note that this is not formal legal advice, nor a comprehensive, perfect, end-all guide to carrying concealed in Nevada. Conduct personal research and stay up to date with a CCW map on the approximately 30 states reciprocating Nevada concealed carry permits.

Pushing past the location and travel considerations, CCW is not possible in state without a permit and the permits aren’t accessible to all.

Applying for one doesn’t have to be a bureaucratic maze, though.

How to get a Nevada concealed carry permit

The process of obtaining a Nevada concealed carry permit is a fairly standard approach. Residents apply to their county sheriff. Non-residents apply to any of the state’s county sheriffs.

So long as the qualifying criteria are met, the state is “shall-issue.” They’ll give someone a permit if they satisfy the requirements.

Before snagging an application packet and going in on a required, state-recognized handgun safety training program, the potential concealed carrier should know whether or not they will be prohibited from owning a permit.

As per NRS 202.3657, the state or U.S. resident applicant…

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Must not be barred from owning a firearm as outlined in NRS 202.360
• Must not have an outstanding warrant for arrest
• Must not be adjudicated incompetent or insane
• Must not have voluntarily or involuntarily in a mental health facility in the prior five years
• Must not habitually use alcohol or controlled substances (How is this even gauged? Well, Nevada judges this based on violation of NRS 484C.110 (drunk driving) or having been committed to treatment by means of NRS 458.290 to 458.350, inclusive.)
• Must not have been convicted of a crime related to violence in the prior three years
• Must not be under a restraining order following domestic violence
• Must not have convicted a crime related to domestic violence or stalking
• Must not be on parole or probation
• Must not have committed a felony within the prior five years
• Must not make a false statement on a permit application

Speaking of permit applications, how do those even work?

Get the Nevada application packet from a local sheriff, much like this one provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Take a concealed firearms qualification course. County sheriff’s offices should have lists of local approved instructors.

Concerned about a potential criminal background prohibition prior to taking the course certification and application packet to a sheriff’s office? State criminal history checks can be personally conducted. FBI criminal history checks can also be personally conducted.

Take the application and signed course certificate to the sheriff’s department and bring a form of payment for fees, a proof of residency and proof of citizenship if not born in the U.S.

Nevada Revised Statutes currently allow 120 days for the sheriff to process an application.

Despite the currently 111,490 active permits, according to a recent report from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, there have been and will be denied applications.

If the applicant feels theirs was unjustly declined, NRS 202.3663 affords the right to judicial review of a denied application. The denied applicant must file a petition with a district court for the county the would-be concealed carrier applied in.

Once the permit is awarded, always carry it. Present it when prompted to by appropriate authorities. Renew it on or before the expiration. According to NRS 202.3667, another training course will be required upon renewal and another background check will be conducted with a newly filled out application packet.

If the permittee changes their name, it must be reflected on a new permit. A new photo will be taken along with the change of name. Additionally, if there’s a change of address, that must also be reflected with the application-granting sheriff within 30 days.

Concealed carry in Nevada can get complicated, but follow the rules and the process is simple. Take this guide as an educational stepping stone toward safe, effective, lawful, consistent concealed carry practices.