Nevada makes it a misdemeanor offense to negligently store or leave a firearm at a location under a person’s control if the person knows or has reason to know that there is a substantial risk that a child prohibited from possessing a firearm may obtain such a firearm.¹

Nevada also prohibits any person from aiding or knowingly permitting a “child” (person under age 18) to handle or possess any firearm, except while accompanied by or under the immediate charge of a parent, guardian, or adult authorized to have control or custody of the child.² The penalty rises to a felony if an individual violates this prohibition and knows or has reason to know that there is a substantial risk that the child will use the firearm to commit a violent act.³

A person does not aid or knowingly permit a child to violate this prohibition if:

• The firearm was stored in a securely locked container or at a location which a reasonable person would have believed to be secure;
• The child obtained the firearm as a result of an unlawful entry by any person in or upon the premises where the firearm was stored;
• The injury or death resulted from an accident which was incident to target shooting, sport shooting or hunting; or
• The child gained possession of the firearm from a member of the military or a law enforcement officer, while the member or officer was performing his or her official duties.⁴

Nevada also provides that if a parent, guardian or other person legally responsible for a minor under age 18:

• Knowing that the minor has previously been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted of a criminal offense;
• Knowing that the minor has a propensity to commit violent acts; or
• Knowing or having reason to know that the minor intends to use the firearm for unlawful purposes, permits the minor to use or possess a firearm, any negligence or willful misconduct of the minor in connection with such use or possession is imputed to the person who permits such gun use or possession for all purposes of civil damages, and is jointly and severally liable with the minor for any and all civil damages caused by such negligence or willful misconduct.⁵

Nevada has no law that requires unattended firearms to be stored in a certain way.

In 2023, Nevada enacted a law requiring licensed firearms dealer to: (1) provide with each firearm sold or otherwise transferred with a locking device capable of securing the firearm; and (2) post in a conspicuous location on its premises a notice which informs a buyer that the negligent storage of a firearm may result in imprisonment or a fine.⁵

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1. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 202.300(5).[↩]
2. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 202.300(1), (2).[↩]
3. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 202.300(2)(b), (c).[↩]
4. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 202.300(3).[↩]
5. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 202.___, added by 2023 Nev. SB 294, § 4.[↩]