Key Takeaways:
- Nevada does not recognize California CCW permits. California residents cannot carry concealed in Nevada without obtaining a Nevada permit.
- California does not recognize Nevada CCW permits. Nevada residents cannot carry concealed in California.
- Nevada has no assault weapons ban or magazine capacity restrictions.
- California bans “assault weapons” by name and characteristics and restricts magazine capacity to 10 rounds.
- Nevada allows open carry without a permit for adults 18+. California generally criminalizes open carry of handguns with narrow exceptions.
- Background checks required for all gun sales in both states.
- Transporting firearms between states requires strict compliance with both states’ laws.
- California actively enforces its firearm import and magazine laws and may investigate residents who illegally bring Nevada-purchased firearms or magazines back into California.
Nevada and California sit next to each other geographically, but the states’ gun laws couldn’t be more different.
California residents visiting Las Vegas need to understand what changes when they cross the state line. Nevada residents traveling to California, too, face a completely different legal framework. Getting it wrong means criminal charges.
The Reciprocity Problem
Nevada and California don’t recognize each other’s concealed carry permits. There is zero reciprocity in either direction.
Neither Nevada nor California recognizes the other state’s carry permits. California recognizes no out-of-state permits, and Nevada’s recognition list does not include California. You cannot carry concealed in Nevada with a California permit.
If you’re a Nevada resident planning to travel outside the state, see our full guide on Nevada CCW Reciprocity for a complete breakdown of where your permit is valid.
California Residents in Nevada:
You can open carry in Nevada without a permit if you’re 18 or older and legally allowed to possess firearms. Concealed carry, on the other hand, requires either a Nevada resident permit or a non-resident Nevada permit.
Getting a Nevada non-resident permit requires completing a Nevada-approved training course, passing a background check and applying through a Nevada county sheriff. Course length and certificate validity are set by instructors and local policy (commonly about eight hours and one year), so verify current requirements with the sheriff.
Nevada Residents in California:
Your Nevada CCW permit is worthless in California. California doesn’t recognize any other state’s permits.
You cannot carry concealed in California unless you obtain a California CCW from the county where you reside or where your principal place of business is located. Non-residents generally cannot obtain California CCW permits.
California law generally criminalizes both loaded and unloaded open carry of handguns in most public places, with only narrow exceptions (for example, licensed carry in low-population counties). For visitors, treat public open carry of handguns as prohibited.
Assault Weapons
Nevada and California have opposite approaches.
Nevada’s Position:
Nevada has no state “assault weapon” ban or magazine-capacity limits. The term “assault weapon” doesn’t exist in Nevada law. Semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines, pistol grips, folding stocks and other features that California calls “assault weapon characteristics” are completely legal in Nevada. Federal rules still apply to items like machine guns, short-barreled rifles and suppressors.
AR-15s, AK-pattern rifles and similar firearms are legal to own, possess and carry in Nevada with no registration or special permits required.
California’s Restrictions:
California bans assault weapons in three categories:
Category One lists specific firearms by name and model. Beretta AR-70, Springfield Armory BM59, Steyer AUG, Bushmaster Assault Rifle and dozens more appear on the banned list.
Category Two bans AK and AR-15 variations with minor differences from those base models.
Category Three bans semi-automatic centerfire rifles that accept detachable magazines and have any one of these features: pistol grip, thumbhole stock, folding or telescoping stock, grenade launcher, flash suppressor, or forward pistol grip.
Possession of unregistered assault weapons in California is illegal. Assault weapons legally owned before various ban dates can be registered and grandfathered, but new purchases and transfers are prohibited.
Magazine Capacity
Nevada has no magazine capacity restrictions. California limits magazines to 10 rounds.
Nevada:
You can own, possess and use magazines of any capacity in Nevada, including 15-round magazines, 30-round magazines and 50-round drums. There are no restrictions, and registration isn’t necessary.
California:
As of early 2026, California’s prohibition on magazines that hold more than 10 rounds remains enforceable statewide, subject only to narrow carve-outs for specific grandfathered “Freedom Week” magazines while federal litigation continues. California generally prohibits possessing, selling, purchasing, giving away, importing, transporting or manufacturing magazines holding more than 10 rounds. This applies to magazines for rifles, pistols and shotguns.
Limited exceptions exist for law enforcement, some grandfathered magazines and fixed tubular magazines for .22 caliber rifles and lever-action rifles.
Open Carry
Nevada allows it. California doesn’t.
Nevada Open Carry:
Adults 18 or older who are legally permitted to possess firearms can open carry throughout Nevada without a permit. The firearm must be visible through ordinary observation.
Open carry is legal on Las Vegas Strip sidewalks, in most public areas and in vehicles. Certain locations still prohibit firearms, whether carried openly or concealed, including schools, child care facilities, government buildings with metal detectors, etc.
Private property owners can prohibit open carry on their property and ask you to leave.
California Open Carry:
California law generally criminalizes both loaded and unloaded open carry of handguns in most public places, with only narrow exceptions (such as certain licensed carry in low-population counties or specific exempt activities like shooting ranges). For visitors, treat public open carry of handguns as prohibited.
Long guns can be openly carried in limited circumstances in unincorporated areas, but local ordinances often prohibit this. Many California jurisdictions ban the open carry of all firearms.
Background Checks
Both states require background checks for all gun sales, including private sales.
Nevada:
All firearm sales and transfers must go through a licensed dealer who runs a background check through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This includes private sales between individuals.
If your Nevada CCW qualifies as a NICS alternative, dealers may not need to run a separate instant check. Confirm current practice with the dealer, as policies can change.
California:
All firearm sales and transfers must go through a licensed California dealer. Background checks run through California’s own system in addition to NICS. The state retains information about the buyer and seller.
California adds a 10-day waiting period for all firearm purchases. Even if you pass the background check immediately, you cannot take possession for 10 days. Nevada has no waiting period.
Transporting Firearms Between States
Crossing the Nevada-California border with firearms requires careful planning.
Bringing Firearms from California to Nevada:
It is generally legal to travel with firearms from California if you’re visiting temporarily. Your California-compliant firearms are legal in Nevada. Your restricted-capacity magazines are also legal in Nevada.
You cannot carry concealed without a Nevada permit. You can open carry while in Nevada if you’re legally allowed to possess firearms.
Bringing Firearms from Nevada to California:
Bringing your Nevada firearms to California can cause legal headaches.
You cannot bring magazines holding more than 10 rounds into California. Leave them in Nevada or at home.
You cannot bring firearms that California classifies as assault weapons into California, even if they’re legal in Nevada. Your Nevada-legal AR-15 with a pistol grip and detachable magazine is an illegal assault weapon in California.
New California residents who move into the state with handguns must report them as personal firearm imports to DOJ and ensure they comply with California configuration laws (for example, not classified as assault weapons). The roster primarily limits what dealers may sell. Its effect on new residents and visitors is more nuanced, so review current DOJ guidance before bringing handguns into California.
All firearms transported in vehicles in California must be unloaded and either in a locked container or the locked trunk. You cannot carry concealed without a California permit. You cannot open carry.
California’s Nevada Enforcement Operations
California law enforcement actively investigates illegal importation of firearms and large-capacity magazines, often in cooperation with federal and out-of-state agencies. California residents who buy firearms or magazines in Nevada and bring them into California in violation of California law risk investigation and prosecution.
If you’re a California resident buying firearms in Nevada with the intent to bring them back to California, understand that violations of California’s import laws can lead to criminal charges.
Registration Requirements
Nevada has no gun registration. California has extensive registration requirements.
Nevada:
Nevada does not require registration for any firearms, and there is no database of gun owners. Clark County’s “blue card” handgun registration system was eliminated in 2016. All records were destroyed.
If you buy a gun in Nevada, the dealer keeps records for federal purposes, but the state doesn’t track who owns what.
California:
California tracks all firearm sales and transfers. The Department of Justice maintains a database of all firearms transactions in the state.
New California residents or anyone bringing firearms into California must register them as a “personal firearm importer” or transfer them through a licensed dealer.
Assault weapons legally owned before ban dates must be registered with the state. Failure to register when required is illegal.
Age Requirements
Both states set minimum ages, but with differences.
Nevada:
- 18 to purchase rifles and shotguns
- 21 to purchase handguns from dealers
- 18 to possess and carry handguns
- 21 for CCW permit (18 if active duty or honorably discharged military)
California:
- Generally, 21 to purchase both handguns and most rifles and shotguns, with narrow exceptions for certain 18-20 year olds (for example, some hunting license holders or law enforcement)
- Various possession restrictions for minors
- 21 for CCW permit
Where You Can’t Carry
Both states prohibit firearms in certain locations, though specifics differ.
Prohibited in Both States:
- Schools (K-12)
- Childcare facilities
- Airports beyond security checkpoints
- Federal buildings
- Courthouses
Nevada Additional Restrictions:
- Nevada System of Higher Education campuses without written permission
- Public buildings with posted signs and metal detectors at all entrances
- Secure areas of airports
California Additional Restrictions:
- Businesses that sell alcohol for on-premises consumption
- Public buildings (with exceptions)
- Private property, where prohibited by owner
- Many additional locations under California law
Ammunition
Nevada doesn’t restrict ammunition beyond federal law. California extensively regulates it.
Nevada:
You can buy ammunition freely. Ammunition purchases do not require background checks or registration, and there is no limit on the quantity of ammo you can buy.
Federal restrictions on armor-piercing ammunition apply, but standard ammunition purchases are unrestricted.
California:
Ammunition purchases require a point-of-sale background (eligibility) check. You will pay a per-transaction eligibility-check fee set by DOJ (commonly around a few dollars and subject to change).
You must be at least 18 to purchase long-gun ammunition and 21 to purchase handgun ammunition. Vendors cannot sell ammunition to anyone who fails the background check.
California prohibits ammunition feeding devices (magazines) holding more than 10 rounds.
California Residents: What You Can Do in Nevada
If you’re visiting Nevada and want to shoot, here’s what’s legal:
At Shooting Ranges:
Provided you’re not otherwise prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms, California residents may go to any Nevada gun range, rent firearms, including those that would be illegal in California, and shoot to your heart’s content.
Use standard-capacity magazines, shoot AR-15s and enjoy firearms you can’t legally own in California all without violating Nevada law.
Don’t Try to Take Them Home:
You may not, however, bring California-illegal items back across the state line. Don’t buy firearms you can’t legally possess in California. Don’t buy magazines that hold more than 10 rounds if you’re taking them to California, and don’t purchase ammunition that California prohibits.
Enjoy Nevada’s gun-friendly laws while you’re here. Leave Nevada’s gun-friendly purchases in Nevada.
Nevada Residents: Visiting California
If you’re driving to California and want to bring firearms, here’s how to stay legal:
Leave These at Home:
- Magazines that hold more than 10 rounds
- Firearms that California classifies as assault weapons
- Any firearm configuration that would be illegal in California
What You Can Bring:
- Handguns that are legal under California law (for example, not configured as assault weapons and otherwise compliant) even if they are not on the commercial handgun roster
- Standard rifles and shotguns without assault weapon characteristics
- 10-round or smaller capacity magazines
- Ammunition that California doesn’t specifically prohibit
How to Transport:
Firearms must be unloaded. Store them in a locked container or your vehicle’s locked trunk. Separate from ammunition if possible. Do not carry concealed without a California permit. Do not open carry.
Consider whether bringing firearms is necessary. California’s restrictions make casual firearm possession complicated for visitors.
The Practical Reality
Most California residents visiting Nevada as tourists don’t carry firearms. Most Nevada residents visiting California leave their guns at home. The legal differences create too many complications.
If you’re a California resident with a strong interest in firearms that are legal in Nevadal, consider visiting Nevada ranges without purchasing items you can’t bring home.
If you’re a Nevada resident who regularly travels to California, understand your Nevada CCW permit won’t help you there. California’s restrictions on common firearms and magazines mean careful planning before crossing the state line.
Bottom Line
Nevada and California approach gun rights from opposite directions. Nevada allows what California prohibits. California regulates what Nevada ignores.
No reciprocity exists for CCW permits in either direction. California residents cannot carry concealed in Nevada with California permits. Nevada residents cannot carry concealed in California with Nevada permits.
Assault weapons and standard-capacity magazines are legal in Nevada but illegal in California. Open carry is allowed in Nevada but not in California.
Crossing between states with firearms requires understanding both states’ laws and complying with the stricter state’s requirements. Getting it wrong means criminal charges, potential jail time and loss of firearm rights.
Know the laws before you travel. When in doubt, leave restricted items at home.
