Can You Have a Loaded Gun in Your Car in Nevada?

Gun debate may be controversial in the political context, but citizens must always abide by their state’s current gun law, no matter the political climate. Gun laws shift from state-to-state, making it crucial for gun enthusiasts to learn the specific gun laws associated with the different counties they travel to with their firearms. The state of Nevada doesn’t require open carrying permits, though they do possess specific concealed carry laws for both pedestrians and vehicle drivers.

Nevada Gun Carrying Laws

Nevada Open Carry laws dictate several locations even properly permitted gun owners are not allowed to bring their guns:

• Public school campuses, including universities
• Daycare/preschool premises
• Airplanes
• City/government buildings
• Veterans Affairs locations
• Post offices
• The Hoover Dam

These public locations are off-limits to gun owners to reduce acts of violence or negligence that could result in injury and/or fatality. Open carry laws extend to vehicular open carry as well – Nevada residents can legally carry their firearms while driving.

Car Carry Laws

Carrying a gun in your car is legal in Nevada, coming with its own set of guidelines.

• Owners can open carry their guns in several places: on a seat, in the middle console, in a cup holder, or any surface that can hold the gun while in transit.
• Owners can conceal carry their guns in their glove box, its case, or under a seat.
• A gun does not have to be in plain view for its owner to carry it while driving, though concealed carry guns holstered on the owner requires a permit.

Nevada’s open carry laws are fairly lenient when it comes to how an owner travels with their gun. As long as the firearm is a handgun, a gun owner does not need a permit to conceal or open carry.

Loaded Gun Laws

Nevada permits gun owners to openly carry a loaded gun. This does not apply to all gun owners, as the context changes the legality of carrying a loaded firearm:

• Owners under 18 cannot carry a loaded gun without supervision.
• Individuals restricted from owning firearms cannot carry any guns at all.
• Owners who have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .1% or too intoxicated by drugs or alcohol to safely operate their firearm, cannot carry a loaded gun.
• Owners who are in one of the previously listed prohibited locations cannot bring their loaded firearm onto the premises.
• Owners cannot possess loaded rifles or shotguns in their vehicles.

Concealed carry is different in that the gun owner must earn a carrying concealed weapons (CCW) permit before carrying their weapon in this way. When carrying a concealed, loaded gun, owners must keep this permit and their government-issued ID on hand.

How to Carry a Gun on Your Person in a Vehicle

Concealing a weapon on your body requires a permit, whether walking or driving. However, carrying a gun on your body does not have to imply concealment. You can place your gun in its holster facing outward, near the seatbelt clip. Buckle your seatbelt over the gun and you will have an open-carry gun on your body. Though permits are not difficult to acquire, not all gun owners qualify for application. This tip abides by all open and concealed carry laws.

Nevada exercises owner-centered gun carry laws that still ensure the safety of its citizens. In this state, an owner’s open carry and/or concealed carry of loaded guns in their vehicle are both legal. However, drivers who want to carry concealed, loaded firearms on their person while driving must obtain a permit. It is important to remember your state’s specific laws in reference to gun laws. Similarly, prevent future miscommunication and possible arrest by checking local gun laws in any different states you visit. For more information regarding your rights as a gun owner, contact a Las Vegas injury lawyer at Cogburn Law today.

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