Nevada 80 Percent Lower Laws
Legal Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not legal advice. We are not lawyers. While we endeavor to keep all our blogs updated with the most accurate information, gun laws change quickly and frequently. Legal changes can often be difficult to uncover, unpack, and publish in real-time. Therefore, while we try our best to provide timely information, be aware that what you’re reading below may change (or already has changed).
Do not rely solely on the information provided by us or on this website to ensure compliance with your purchase decisions. To ensure that you, the buyer, are acting in accordance with all federal, state laws and local ordinances, please do your own research and consult an attorney if necessary.
To see where some or none of our products can be shipped to, please see our full list of sensitive states here.
What is an 80% Lower?
An 80% lower receiver is an unfinished and unserialized blank which requires some machining work from the end user to turn it into a 100% lower receiver, otherwise, what is legally considered as a firearm. 80 lowers are missing the trigger pocket and three holes that need to be milled and drilled out to be completed. Unless states have passed their own laws barring the possession or sales of 80% products; pending the ATF's updated decision from the most recent proposed rule 2021R-05 80% lowers are completely legal, not considered firearms and thus can be shipped straight to your front door. No FFL required. To explore the 80% lower receiver products we have to offer, check out our multiple collections.
Are 80 Lowers Legal In Nevada?
While there was an attempt to ban "ghost guns" with Assembly Bill 286, the 80% community celebrated a win when Judge Schlegelmilch struck down key parts of AB286 in December 2021. This decision allowed Nevadans to legally possess, purchase, transport, or receive unfinished frames or receivers and assemble firearms without serial numbers.
However, the legal landscape has since changed. The Nevada Supreme Court recently upheld the state's ban on "ghost guns," overturning the lower court’s ruling that deemed the law banning unfinished frames and receivers unconstitutional. The unanimous decision, issued 13 months after oral arguments, reverses Lyon County District Court Judge Schlegelmilch's earlier ruling that key parts of the 2021 law were too vague. The Supreme Court stated that the law's language uses terms with clear and common meanings, dismissing claims of vagueness.
This ruling has significant implications for companies in the 80% community, including those that produce unfinished firearm parts. The 2021 law prohibits the possession, purchase, transport, or receipt of unfinished frames or receivers, effectively curbing the ability of Nevadans to build firearms without serial numbers. Gun control advocates argue that these kits create a loophole allowing individuals to avoid background checks, while supporters maintain that they are primarily purchased by hobbyists, and restricting their availability infringes on Second Amendment rights.
Key Gun Laws in Nevada
Other than laws regarding 80 lowers, these are the key gun laws you should be aware of if you reside or are traveling through Nevada.
Firearm Possession and Purchase Requirements
The state of Nevada requires handgun buyers to be at least 18 years old to buy a long gun and 21 years old to buy a handgun. No extra permits or licenses are required for either handgun or long gun purchases. The normal exceptions for minors above the age of 14 in possession of firearms apply as well which include when attending a hunter’s or firearms safety course, using the gun for target practice or recreational shooting at an established range, involved in an organized competition, hunting or trapping with a valid license, traveling to and from these events, or at their own residence with permission and supervision of a parents or a legal guardian.
Firearm purchases generally require a background check but private party transfers do not (Dealer Record of Sale also known as 4473 form or “DROS”). While federal law requires federal firearm license holders (“FFL’s”:) to initiate background checks on buyers prior to the sale of a firearm, federal law also allows states to serve as their own “point of contact” and conduct their own background checks via state, federal records or databases, as well as the option to use the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) database. Nevada is a point of contact for the NICS and as a result, dealers must conduct their background checks by going through the “NDPS” or Nevada Department of Public Safety, also known as the Brady Point of Sale program. If a purchaser presents a state CCW permit or a handgun purchase permit, it exempts them from a background check when purchasing a gun from an FFL store. When buyers are approved it is valid for 30 days, which allows buyers to buy multiple guns for the following month without additional background checks.
Open and Concealed Carrying
Nevada is a “shall-issue” state for CCW’s in the form of “CFP’s” or Concealed Firearm Permits. They are also offered for non-residents. Open carry without a permit is legal for anyone at least 18 years old legally allowed to carry/possess/own a firearm. Some areas are off-limits so please look into where those areas might be. Concealed carry applicants must be 21 years old at the minimum and complete a state approved firearms training course. For more details on Nevada’s policies check out their reciprocity map here.
NFA Restrictions
Nevada does not have any assault weapon bans or magazine capacity bans and NFA items are allowed but under federal law, the possession of machine guns is prohibited unless they were lawfully possessed and registered before May 19, 1986.
Magazine Capacity Restrictions
There are no magazine capacity restrictions in Nevada. Enjoy those drums and belt-fed box magazines! We carry plenty of standard capacity magazines like the Advanced Warfighter mag from Lancer which is a 30 rounder too. Our favorite color is the translucent smoke one.
Mandatory Storage Requirements
There are no mandatory storage requirements for firearms in Nevada , however, you should still exercise caution and can be tried for negligently leaving your guns accessible to children. If you need some good ideas or best practices for storing your guns and gear here are five home firearm storage options.
Self-Defense
Nevada is a castle doctrine state and does have a stand your ground law, which means people are not required to retreat if possible before returning fire or responding to a threat with lethal force.
Ammunition Purchase
To buy ammo in Nebraska no license is needed for the sale, purchase or possession of it. Sellers also do not have to keep a record of their ammo sales/transactions. Certain armor piercing rounds are prohibited but otherwise, people can buy virtually any type of ammunition in Nevada.