When you buy a gun in Nevada, the dealer must provide a locking device for the trigger. However, Nevada gun law does not require you to use the locking device or to store your guns in a safe.1
Gun storage and child endangerment
Even though it is lawful in Nevada to store a gun without a safe or locking device, it is a misdemeanor to negligently keep a gun in a place where you know (or have reason to know) there is a substantial risk that a child under 18 years old can access it. The penalties for doing so are:
- Up to 6 months in jail and/or
- Up to $1,000.2
Depending on the case, the prosecutors can also charge you with child endangerment, which is a more serious offense:3
| Child endangerment offense | Nevada penalties |
| If the child suffered substantial bodily or mental harm | Category B felony: 2 to 20 years in Nevada State Prison |
| If the child suffered no substantial harm AND your alleged endangerment was willful | Category B felony: 1 to 6 years in prison, though repeat offenders face 2 to 15 years in prison |
| If the child suffered no substantial harm AND your alleged endangerment was permissive | Gross misdemeanor (for first-time offenders): $2,000 in fines and/or 364 days in jail Category C felony (for repeat offenders): 1 to 5 years in prison and up to $10,000 |
In a recent case out of Michigan, a jury convicted Jennifer Crumbley of four counts of involuntary manslaughter for failing to deter her son Ethan from committing a mass school shooting. Had she safely stored the guns or sought professional help when Ethan displayed clear signs he may be dangerous, she probably could have escaped criminal liability even if Ethan managed to pull off the shooting anyway.4
When it comes to gun storage, I advise people to take every reasonable step to keep firearms out of the reach of children. The best way to achieve this is to store them in a safe that the children cannot access.
Felons living with gun owners
If you have been convicted of a felony or a domestic violence misdemeanor, you are prohibited from possessing firearms in Nevada. Therefore, the safest bet is not to live with someone who has a gun in the house, even in a safe.
“Possession” means to have actual or constructive control over the gun. Therefore, you arguably have control over any guns in the residence you occupy, even if they technically belong to a roommate or a housemate.
You can try to argue that you cannot possibly have possession of any firearms stored in a safe for which you do not know the combination or have the key. However, there is no good way to prove you do not know the combination or have access to the key.
Possessing a firearm following a felony or domestic violence conviction is a category B felony. Penalties include:
- 1 to 6 years in Nevada State Prison, and
- Up to $5,000.5
Since the punishment is so severe, I strongly advise prohibited persons not to live with gun owners.
Storing guns while driving
There is no Nevada law requiring you to lock up your guns before you drive with them.
Note that if you carry a handgun in a car, it must remain visible unless you have a current and valid CCW permit. However, you do not need a CCW permit if you keep the gun off your body (such as in the glove box, trunk, or center console).6
Also note that you may not drive with loaded rifles or shotguns, whether they are locked up or not. The magazine may be loaded, but a cartridge cannot be in the firing chamber.7
Finally, note that you may not drive on school property with guns in your vehicle, even if they are locked in a case. Violating this law is a gross misdemeanor, carrying:
- Up to $2,000 in fines, and/or
- Up to 364 days in jail.8
Learn more about Nevada car carry.
Storing guns while drinking
Locking up your guns at home before you consume alcohol or drugs is a good idea, but it is not required. NRS 202.257 – which prohibits gun possession while intoxicated – does not apply when you are in your own residence.
Possessing a gun while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (outside of your residence) is a misdemeanor carrying:
- Up to 6 months in jail and/or
- Up to $1,000.9
Additional Reading
For more in-depth information, refer to these scholarly articles:
- Law Enforcement and Gun Retailers as Partners for Safely Storing Guns to Prevent Suicide: A Study in 8 Mountain West States – American Journal of Public Health.
- Firearm Access and Suicide: Lethal Means Counseling and Safe Storage Education in a Comprehensive Prevention Strategy – American Journal of Public Health.
- Child Access Prevention Laws and Firearm Storage: Results From a National Survey – American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
- Parental attitudes, beliefs, and practices related to firearm storage: a qualitative study – Injury Epidemiology.
- Armed and Dangerous: Tort Liability for the Negligent Storage of Firearms – Connecticut Law Review.
Legal References
- Safe Storage in Nevada, Giffords Law Center. SB 294 (2023).
- NRS 202.300. AB-291 (2019). See also Thomas v. Bokelman (1970); Smith v. Smith-Peterson Co. (1935) . Safe Storage in Nevada, Giffords Law Center. SB 294 (2023).
- NRS 200.508.
- Steve Inskeep, Martin Kaste, Michigan court rules parents can share criminal responsibility for child’s gun crimes, NPR (February 7, 2024).
- NRS 202.360.
- NRS 202.350.
- NRS 503.165.
- NRS 202.265.
- NRS 202.257.
