Nevada CCW Reciprocity Guide

Nevada is not a ‘Constitutional Carry’ state – it is illegal to carry a concealed firearm in Nevada without a valid CCW permit. 

Nevada has agreements with some states to recognize each other’s CCW permits. Individuals with CCW permits from states recognized by Nevada do not need to obtain a Nevada CCW permit to carry a concealed firearm in permitted locations in Nevada.

Understanding CCW laws in Nevada, which states’ CCW permits Nevada recognizes, and which states recognize Nevada CCW permits ensures visitors to Nevada know if their out-of-state CCW permit is valid and ensures Nevadans know whether their CCW permit is recognized by states they visit when traveling.

What states CCW permits does Nevada recognize? 

Nevada recognizes CCW permits from 29 states as of March 2024. The following state’s standard CCW permits are accepted without restrictions – if you hold a current CCW permit from one of these states, you may legally carry a concealed firearm in Nevada: 

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Illinois
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Montana 
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Nevada recognizes the specific CCW permits noted from the following states – if you hold this specific CCW permit from these states, you may legally carry a concealed firearm in Nevada:

• Idaho enhanced permit
• Mississippi enhanced permit
• North Dakota Class 1 permit
• South Dakota enhanced permit

Other CCW permits from those states are NOT valid in Nevada.

CCW permits from all 29 states serve as non-resident permits for visitors to Nevada. These permits are invalid if the permit holder becomes a Nevada resident and fails to secure a permit from their county sheriff within 60 days of becoming a Nevada resident.

The following states do not have CCW permit reciprocity with Nevada – if you hold a CCW permit from one of these states, you CANNOT legally carry a concealed firearm in Nevada:

• Alabama
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Maine
• Maryland
• Missouri
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington

What are the CCW laws and rules in Nevada?

Open carry 

In Nevada, open carry refers to carrying a weapon in a manner that’s readily visible to anyone. Provided it’s clear you’re carrying a gun, the open carry laws apply. Concealing any part of a firearm requires the holder to have a concealed carry permit. However, carrying a gun in an exposed holster qualifies as open carry as long as it’s clear it contains a gun. It is legal to carry a firearm in this manner in the state without a permit. 

Concealed carry

Nevada defines concealed carry as carrying a weapon in a manner that makes it not readily visible to others. Examples of concealed carry include tucking a weapon into the back of your pants and covering it with a jacket or sweater or using a holster concealed by an article of clothing. “Mexican carry” or “Virginia tuck” is considered concealed in Nevada. The general rule is, if any part of the firearm (or holster the firearm is in) is covered by clothing, it is considered concealed and requires a valid permit to lawfully carry.

Duty to inform

There is no legal duty to proactively inform a law enforcement officer that you are concealing a firearm in Nevada. However, you must have both your Concealed Firearm Permit and valid state-issued ID on your person when you are carrying concealed, and you must present these documents upon request by a law enforcement officer.

Places where open and concealed carry is illegal

Nevada has some places where CCW restrictions apply. Firearms – whether carried openly or concealed – are prohibited in the following locations:

• Airports (unless unloaded, cased and locked for transport)
• Public schools
• Charter schools
• Child care centers
• Nevada public colleges
• Nevada public universities
• Federal public property with posted ‘no firearms’ signs or metal detectors at entrances
• State public property where ‘no firearms’ signs are posted or public buildings with metal detectors at entrances

Although concealed carry is legal in bars & establishments that serve alcohol, it is not legal for an individual who’s intoxicated.

What states recognize a Nevada CCW permit?

Nevadans with a CCW permit do not need additional permits in states that honor Nevada CCW permits. Nevada CCW permit holders are lawfully permitted to carry a concealed weapon in states that do not require CCW permits, known as permitless carry states.

States honoring Nevada CCW permits

The following states recognize Nevada CCW permits as of November 2023 – if you have a Nevada CCW, you can legally carry a concealed firearm in these states:

• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

Permitless carry (constitutional carry) states

Some states have constitutional carry laws in place. In these states, anyone who meets the legal requirements for gun ownership can carry a weapon without a CCW permit. You must check each state’s constitutional carry laws and meet the state’s legal requirements to carry a gun. Age, identification, and legal restrictions may apply in any state, whether they have CCW permits or constitutional carry laws.

The following states have constitutional carry laws as of November 2023:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

If you’re a Nevada resident and you want to know how to get your Nevada CCW or renew your Nevada CCW, book a class at The Range 702 today! Weekday and weekend classes are available, and our instructors are top-notch. All classes include classroom instruction and live fire, and are certified by the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association.

Sources:

Nevada Department of Public Safety Records, Communication, and Compliance Division. (2023). 

Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Dangerous Weapons and Firearms: NRS 202.257. (2023). 

Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Dangerous Weapons and Firearms: NRS 202.3653. (2023).