Nebraska allows a handgun transfer from a federally licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to occur only if the transferee either presents the dealer with a handgun certificate or concealed weapons permit, or completes a consent form and passes a criminal background check.¹ Persons wishing to obtain handguns through private sellers (non-firearms dealers) must obtain a handgun certificate or concealed weapons permit, and are therefore subject to a background check.² The chief of police or sheriff has up to three days in which to conduct an investigation to determine whether the applicant is prohibited by law from purchasing or possessing a handgun.³

However, a transferee may receive a handgun without a handgun certificate, concealed weapons permit, or background check if:

• The transferee is a licensed firearms dealer under federal law;
• The handgun is an antique;
• The transferee is authorized to do so on behalf of a law enforcement agency;
• The transfer is temporary and the transferee remains: (i) in the line of sight of the transferor; or (ii) within the premises of an established shooting facility;
• The transfer is between a person and his or her spouse, sibling, parent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or grandparent; or
• The transferee is a peace officer.⁴

To obtain a handgun certificate, an applicant must apply to the local chief of police or sheriff.⁵ The permit application will be granted if the applicant is at least age 21 and is not prohibited from purchasing or possessing a handgun under federal or state law.⁶

A handgun certificate authorizes the holder to acquire any number of handguns during the period that the certificate is valid.⁷ The certificate becomes invalid three years after its effective date.⁸ The chief of police or sheriff who issued the certificate may revoke it if he or she determines that the applicant has become disqualified for the certificate.⁹

Nebraska has no law requiring a person to obtain a license or permit prior to purchasing a rifle or shotgun.

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1. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2403, 69-2409, 69-2410.[↩]
2. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2403, 69-2404.[↩]
3. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2405.[↩]
4. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2403.[↩]
5. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2404.[↩]
6. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2405.[↩]
7. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2407.[↩]
8. Id.[↩]
9. Id.[↩]