Nevada CCW Permits - General Information
Overview | Costs | Eligibility | Obtaining a Permit | Retired Law Enforcement
Overview
Nevada is a "Shall Issue" concealed carry state, which means that the authorities must issue a CCW permit to any applicant who is not disqualified for cause. Permits are valid for five years, and expire on the permit holder's birthday. To obtain a permit, applicants must complete classroom training and qualify with a weapon of the type they will be carrying (either semiauto pistol, revolver, or both). Nevada issues both resident and non-resident CCW permits.
Costs
The cost for a new CCW permit is $100.25 (as of October 2011), while to renew costs $60.25. A late renewal application will be assessed an additional $15.00 late fee. If you fail to renew within 120 days after your CCW permit expires, your renewal application will be treated as a new permit and fees will be charged accordingly.
Eligibility
Per NRS 202.3657, a person is not eligible to obtain a concealed firearms permit if any of the following apply:
- They are not at least 21 years of age.
- They do not provide the required documentation to demonstrate competence with a firearm.
- They are a fugitive from justice.
- They have been judicially declared mentally incompetent or insane.
- They have been admitted to a mental health facility.
- They have habitually used intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance to the extent that their normal faculties are impaired.
- They have been convicted of a crime involving the use, or threatened use, of force or violence (including misdemeanors) within the last three years.
- They have been convicted of a felony.
- They have been convicted of a crime involving domestic violence or stalking, or are currently subject to a restraining order or other order for protection against violence.
- They are on parole or probation.
- They have been, within the preceding five years, subject to any requirements imposed by a court as a condition of
- Withholding the entry of judgement for a conviction of a felony, or
- Suspension of their sentence for the conviction of a felony, or
- Indictment by a grand jury.
- They have made a false statement on any application.
- They were dishonorably discharged from the the Armed Forces.
- They are not lawfully admitted into the United States.
- They are prohibited from possessing a firearm under state and federal law or county and city ordinances.
- They are not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien.
Obtaining a Permit
To obtain a CCW permit, you will have to apply through the sheriff's office for your county of residence. Clark County has no sheriff's office, and permits are issued by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Non-Nevada residents may apply through any county sheriff's office.
You will need to complete a concealed firearms training class approved by the sheriff of your county of residence. You can contact your county sheriff's office for a list of approved instructors. If you're getting a new CCW permit, the training will last a minimum of eight hours, and will include both classroom instruction and range qualification with your firearm(s). The class for a CCW renewal is only four hours long. If you are applying for a Nevada nonresident CCW permit, you may have to complete your training class in the same county in which you are applying. Check with that county's sheriff to find out if that is the case, or if any concealed firearms class taught in Nevada will work.
As of July 1, 2011, pursuant to AB 282, Nevada law does not require you to qualify with every firearm you intend to carry; you need only qualify with a weapon of that type. In other words, if you qualify with a semiauto pistol, you may then carry any semiauto, whether you qualified with it or not. If you qualify with one semiauto and one revolver, you can carry any revolver or semiauto pistol. Your CCW permit will indicate what types of firearms you qualified with and are allowed to carry.
If you have an existing CCW permit which lists specific firearms you are authorized to carry, under the new law you may carry any firearm of the type you qualified with. For example, if your current permit says you qualified with multiple semiauto pistols, you may carry any semiauto pistol. If your current permit lists a revolver, you may carry any revolver.
(Note: Legislation is currently pending in the Nevada Legislature that would amend the permit process. If passed, Senate Bill 76 would change the language of NRS 202.3653 and NRS 202.3657, and would allow CCW applicants to qualify with only one firearm in order to carry any handgun they own. The bill would eliminate the necessity to qualify with both a semiauto pistol and a revolver if an applicant wishes to carry either. SB 76 has already been passed by the State Senate, and is up for a vote in the State Assembly.)
Once your training is complete, you will need to submit your application to the issuing agency along with a set of fingerprint cards, a photo, and the necessary fees. The agency will then conduct a background check prior to sending your permit to you by mail. It can take up to 120 days to receive your concealed firearms permit once you have submitted your paperwork.
Retired Law Enforcement
Retired law enforcement officers are permitted to carry a concealed firearm under the provisions of HR 218, the Law Enforcement Safety Act of 2004. The Nevada Department of Public Safety has more information on their website about who is eligible and what you must do to qualify.
