Can a felon own a gun in Nevada?

Nevada prohibits firearm possession for all felony convictions. The primary restoration mechanism is through a pardon from the State Board of Pardons Commissioners. A person may also petition the court to seal their record, but record sealing alone does not automatically restore firearm rights in Nevada.

How can a felon restore gun rights in Nevada?

Apply to the Nevada State Board of Pardons Commissioners for a pardon that explicitly restores firearm rights.

What is the waiting period for gun rights restoration in Nevada?

Must complete sentence. Pardon eligibility varies; the Board of Pardons Commissioners meets periodically.

Are there exceptions to gun rights restoration in Nevada?

Record sealing (NRS 179.245) does not restore firearm rights — only a pardon explicitly restoring gun rights will do so. Violent felonies face additional scrutiny.

Can a felon own a gun in Nevada?

Not unless the felon receives a pardon from the Nevada State Board of Pardons Commissioners that explicitly restores the right to bear arms. Under NRS 202.360, any person convicted of a felony is prohibited from owning or possessing any firearm. Record sealing, honorable discharge from supervision, and passage of time do not change this — only a pardon restores gun rights.

How do I apply for a pardon in Nevada to restore my gun rights?

Download the Application for Pardon from pardons.nv.gov. Complete the form with your personal information, criminal history, employment history, and reasons for seeking a pardon. Submit the application to the Board of Pardons Commissioners. The Board will review the application and decide whether to schedule a hearing. If a hearing is granted and the pardon approved, confirm that the official pardon document explicitly restores your right to bear arms.

What are the chances of getting a pardon in Nevada?

The Board of Pardons Commissioners receives approximately 1,000 pardon petitions per year and agrees to a hearing in only about 2% of cases. However, of those who receive a hearing, approximately 50% are granted pardons. Factors the Board considers include: time since conviction, rehabilitation, employment, community involvement, nature of the offense, and any subsequent criminal history.

Does sealing my record restore my gun rights in Nevada?

No. Record sealing under NRS 179.245 removes the conviction from most public records but does not restore firearm rights. The sealed conviction remains accessible to law enforcement and the federal NICS background check system. You will still fail a background check when attempting to purchase a firearm. Only a pardon restores firearm rights in Nevada.

Who sits on the Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners?

The Board of Pardons Commissioners is composed of the Governor, the Justices of the Nevada Supreme Court, and the Attorney General. This is established by the Nevada Constitution, Article 5, Section 13. The Board has sole authority to grant pardons and clemency in Nevada — the Governor alone cannot grant a pardon.

What is the penalty for a felon possessing a gun in Nevada?

Under NRS 202.360, a convicted felon who possesses a firearm is guilty of a category B felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 6 years, and may be further punished by a fine of up to $5,000. Additionally, the person may face federal prosecution under 18 USC 922(g)(1), which carries up to 15 years in federal prison.

Can I possess a firearm for hunting after my sentence is complete?

No. There is no exception in NRS 202.360 for hunting, sport shooting, or any other lawful purpose. A convicted felon is completely prohibited from possessing any firearm in Nevada until they receive a pardon. You could potentially hunt with archery equipment or other non-firearm methods, but possessing any firearm, including a hunting rifle or shotgun, is a category B felony.

Is there a new federal process to restore gun rights?

Yes. In March 2025, the DOJ revived the 18 USC 925(c) process, which allows individuals federally prohibited from possessing firearms to petition the Attorney General for relief from the federal firearms disability. This process had been effectively defunded since 1992. The detailed application procedures are still being finalized. This could provide a separate pathway for Nevada felons to address the federal prohibition without needing a state pardon.

Felon Gun Rights in Nevada

Must petition for restoration

No — unless you receive a pardon. Under NRS 202.360, a convicted felon cannot own or possess any firearm in Nevada unless they receive a pardon from the State Board of Pardons Commissioners that explicitly restores their right to bear arms. Record sealing does not restore gun rights. Even with a state pardon, the federal prohibition under 18 USC 922(g)(1) may still apply unless the pardon fully restores civil rights without restricting firearms. Consult an attorney before possessing any firearm.

Last updated: 2026-03-21

Overview

Nevada prohibits all persons convicted of a felony from possessing any firearm under NRS 202.360, unless they have received a pardon that explicitly restores their right to bear arms. The sole mechanism for restoring gun rights is a pardon from the Nevada State Board of Pardons Commissioners — a body composed of the Governor, the Justices of the Nevada Supreme Court, and the Attorney General. Record sealing under NRS 179.245 does not restore firearm rights. The Board receives approximately 1,000 pardon petitions each year but agrees to a hearing in only about 2% of cases, making this a difficult path. Federal law under 18 USC 922(g)(1) imposes an additional, independent prohibition on felon firearm possession.

Quick Answer

Federal Law — 18 USC 922(g)

Under 18 USC 922(g)(1), all persons convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment are permanently prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. A Nevada pardon that fully restores civil rights (including voting, holding office, and jury service) and does not expressly restrict firearms may lift the federal disability under the 'civil rights restored' exception in 18 USC 921(a)(20). However, if the pardon contains any language restricting firearm rights, the federal ban remains. Record sealing under NRS 179.245 does not qualify as an expungement for federal purposes and does not lift the federal ban. The revived federal 18 USC 925(c) process (as of March 2025) may provide a separate federal pathway for relief from the federal firearms disability.

Can restore gun rights

✓Persons who receive a full pardon from the Nevada State Board of Pardons Commissioners that explicitly restores the right to bear arms
✓Persons whose felony conviction has been pardoned by the President (for federal convictions) — may restore both state and federal firearm rights
✓Persons who completed a deferred adjudication or had charges dismissed before a conviction was entered — may not be subject to the prohibition in the first place
✓Persons eligible for relief under the revived federal 18 USC 925(c) process — may address the federal prohibition independently

Cannot restore gun rights

✗Persons convicted of a felony who have not received a pardon — record sealing alone does not restore gun rights
✗Persons whose pardon does not explicitly restore the right to bear arms — a pardon that is silent on firearms does not restore gun rights
✗Persons convicted of a category A or B felony involving violence — face additional scrutiny and are unlikely to receive a pardon
✗Persons currently under indictment, on probation, or on parole — prohibited under both state and federal law
✗Persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence — prohibited under federal law (18 USC 922(g)(9)) regardless of state pardon
✗Persons subject to an active domestic violence protective order — prohibited under both state and federal law

Step-by-Step Process

Complete your full sentence

You must complete all terms of your sentence, including imprisonment, probation, parole, and payment of fines and restitution, before applying for a pardon. The Board of Pardons Commissioners generally will not consider an application unless a 'significant period of time' has passed since your final discharge.

Obtain your criminal history and court documents

Gather certified copies of your judgment of conviction, sentencing order, and discharge papers from the court of conviction. Obtain your criminal history report from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Records, Communication and Compliance Division. These documents are required for the pardon application.

Complete the Pardon Application

Download the Application for Pardon from pardons.nv.gov. Complete the form in full — it requires detailed personal information, a description of the offense, your criminal history, employment history, and reasons for seeking a pardon. If submitting electronically, you have seven days to get the Waiver and Liability Release form notarized and delivered to the Board.

Submit the application and wait for review

Submit the completed application to the Board of Pardons Commissioners. The Board receives approximately 1,000 petitions per year and agrees to a hearing in only about 2% of cases. The Board evaluates factors including: character and rehabilitation since conviction, time elapsed, evidence of remorse, nature of the felony, employment record, and any subsequent criminal activity.

Attend the pardon hearing (if scheduled)

If the Board agrees to hear your case, you will be notified of the hearing date. Attend and present your case in person. Of those who receive a hearing, approximately 50% are granted pardons. You may bring character witnesses and evidence of rehabilitation. An attorney is not required but is strongly recommended.

Ensure the pardon explicitly restores firearm rights

If the pardon is granted, confirm that the official pardon document explicitly states that your right to bear arms is restored. A pardon that does not specifically mention firearms does not restore gun rights under NRS 202.360. If the pardon is silent on firearms, you remain prohibited from possessing firearms under both state and federal law.

Consider the federal 18 USC 925(c) pathway

The DOJ revived the 18 USC 925(c) federal firearms disability relief process in March 2025. This provides a potential pathway to remove the federal prohibition independently of a state pardon. Monitor the ATF and DOJ websites for updates on the application process.

Waiting Period

There is no fixed statutory waiting period, but the Board of Pardons Commissioners generally requires a 'significant period of time' to have passed since final discharge from sentence before considering a pardon application. In practice, this typically means several years of law-abiding conduct after completing all terms of the sentence. The Board meets periodically throughout the year, and processing times vary.

Key Laws

Law	Year	Description
NRS 202.360 — Ownership or Possession of Firearm by Certain Persons Prohibited	1963 (amended through 2023)	Prohibits any person convicted of a felony in Nevada or any other state, or who is a fugitive from justice, from owning or having in their possession any firearm. Violation is a category B felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. The prohibition is lifted only if the person has received a pardon and the pardon does not restrict the right to bear arms.
NRS 179.245 — Record Sealing	1971 (amended through 2023)	Allows persons convicted of certain offenses to petition the court to seal their criminal records after specified waiting periods (varying by offense category). Record sealing removes the conviction from most public records but does NOT restore firearm rights — only a pardon can do that. Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement and federal background check systems (NICS).
Nevada Constitution Article 5, Section 13 — Board of Pardons Commissioners	1864 (amended 2020)	Establishes the Board of Pardons Commissioners, consisting of the Governor, the Justices of the Supreme Court, and the Attorney General. Grants the Board the power to remit fines and forfeitures, commute punishments, and grant pardons after conviction. The Board has sole authority to grant pardons that restore firearm rights.
NRS 213.090 — Application for Pardon; Investigation	1967 (amended through 2019)	Establishes the procedures for applying for a pardon, including the requirement for investigation by the Division of Parole and Probation before the Board considers any pardon application.

Edge Cases

I sealed my felony record in Nevada. Can I buy a gun now?

No. Record sealing under NRS 179.245 does not restore firearm rights in Nevada. Even though the conviction is removed from most public records, it remains accessible to law enforcement and the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). You will still be denied on a federal background check when attempting to purchase a firearm. Only a pardon from the Board of Pardons Commissioners that explicitly restores your right to bear arms will remove the firearms disability.

My felony conviction was from another state. Does Nevada's firearm prohibition apply to me?

Yes. NRS 202.360 prohibits firearm possession by any person convicted of a felony 'in this or any other state, or in any political subdivision thereof, or of the United States.' The Nevada prohibition applies regardless of where the conviction occurred. To restore your gun rights in Nevada, you would need either a pardon from the state where you were convicted (which may lift the federal ban) or a pardon from the Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners.

Can my pardon be limited — restoring voting rights but not gun rights?

Yes. The Board of Pardons Commissioners has discretion to grant a full or partial pardon. A pardon may restore civil rights (voting, holding office, jury service) without restoring firearm rights. Under NRS 202.360, firearm rights are only restored if the pardon specifically does not restrict the right to bear arms. If the pardon is silent on firearms or expressly excludes them, you remain prohibited from possessing firearms under both state and federal law.

I was convicted of a gross misdemeanor in Nevada, not a felony. Can I own a gun?

It depends. NRS 202.360 specifically prohibits firearm possession for felony convictions. Gross misdemeanors generally do not trigger the state-level prohibition. However, if your gross misdemeanor is a crime of domestic violence, you are prohibited under federal law (18 USC 922(g)(9)). Also, if the gross misdemeanor was punishable by more than two years of imprisonment, it may qualify as a federal firearms-disabling offense under 18 USC 922(g)(1). Consult an attorney to evaluate your specific offense.

Can I possess a firearm for self-defense in my home while waiting for a pardon?

No. Unlike some states (such as Texas), Nevada does not have a home-possession exception for convicted felons. NRS 202.360 is an absolute prohibition — a felon may not own or possess any firearm anywhere, including their own home, until they receive a pardon. Possessing a firearm for self-defense is a category B felony carrying 1-6 years in prison.

Does an honorable discharge from probation or parole restore my gun rights?

No. While an honorable discharge from probation or parole under NRS 176A.850 or NRS 213.155 restores some civil rights (such as voting), it does not restore the right to possess firearms. NRS 202.360 explicitly requires a pardon — not just restoration of civil rights — to remove the firearms disability. The distinction is critical: civil rights restoration and firearms restoration are separate under Nevada law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a felon own a gun in Nevada?: Not unless the felon receives a pardon from the Nevada State Board of Pardons Commissioners that explicitly restores the right to bear arms. Under NRS 202.360, any person convicted of a felony is prohibited from owning or possessing any firearm. Record sealing, honorable discharge from supervision, and passage of time do not change this — only a pardon restores gun rights.
How do I apply for a pardon in Nevada to restore my gun rights?: Download the Application for Pardon from pardons.nv.gov. Complete the form with your personal information, criminal history, employment history, and reasons for seeking a pardon. Submit the application to the Board of Pardons Commissioners. The Board will review the application and decide whether to schedule a hearing. If a hearing is granted and the pardon approved, confirm that the official pardon document explicitly restores your right to bear arms.
What are the chances of getting a pardon in Nevada?: The Board of Pardons Commissioners receives approximately 1,000 pardon petitions per year and agrees to a hearing in only about 2% of cases. However, of those who receive a hearing, approximately 50% are granted pardons. Factors the Board considers include: time since conviction, rehabilitation, employment, community involvement, nature of the offense, and any subsequent criminal history.
Does sealing my record restore my gun rights in Nevada?: No. Record sealing under NRS 179.245 removes the conviction from most public records but does not restore firearm rights. The sealed conviction remains accessible to law enforcement and the federal NICS background check system. You will still fail a background check when attempting to purchase a firearm. Only a pardon restores firearm rights in Nevada.
Who sits on the Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners?: The Board of Pardons Commissioners is composed of the Governor, the Justices of the Nevada Supreme Court, and the Attorney General. This is established by the Nevada Constitution, Article 5, Section 13. The Board has sole authority to grant pardons and clemency in Nevada — the Governor alone cannot grant a pardon.
What is the penalty for a felon possessing a gun in Nevada?: Under NRS 202.360, a convicted felon who possesses a firearm is guilty of a category B felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 6 years, and may be further punished by a fine of up to $5,000. Additionally, the person may face federal prosecution under 18 USC 922(g)(1), which carries up to 15 years in federal prison.
Can I possess a firearm for hunting after my sentence is complete?: No. There is no exception in NRS 202.360 for hunting, sport shooting, or any other lawful purpose. A convicted felon is completely prohibited from possessing any firearm in Nevada until they receive a pardon. You could potentially hunt with archery equipment or other non-firearm methods, but possessing any firearm, including a hunting rifle or shotgun, is a category B felony.
Is there a new federal process to restore gun rights?: Yes. In March 2025, the DOJ revived the 18 USC 925(c) process, which allows individuals federally prohibited from possessing firearms to petition the Attorney General for relief from the federal firearms disability. This process had been effectively defunded since 1992. The detailed application procedures are still being finalized. This could provide a separate pathway for Nevada felons to address the federal prohibition without needing a state pardon.

Take Action — Direct Links

Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners — Official Website
Official website of the Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners. Contains the pardon application form, meeting schedules, and information on record sealing.
Nevada Board of Pardons — Pardon Application Form
Direct link to the pardon application form and instructions for submitting a pardon petition to the Board of Pardons Commissioners.
NRS 202.360 — Full Statutory Text
Full text of NRS 202.360, which prohibits firearm ownership and possession by felons and other prohibited persons in Nevada.
CCRC — Nevada Restoration of Rights & Record Relief
Comprehensive guide from the Collateral Consequences Resource Center covering all restoration pathways in Nevada, including pardons, record sealing, and the distinction between civil rights restoration and firearms restoration.
Nevada Board of Pardons — Record Sealing Information (NRS 179.245)
Information on the record sealing process in Nevada. Important: record sealing does not restore firearm rights.
ATF — Federal Firearms Disabilities Relief (18 USC 925(c))
ATF page explaining federal firearms disability relief options under 18 USC 925(c), including the revived DOJ application process.