Criminal Justice (Firearms)

AB 436 revises Nevada’s firearms laws to expand background check exemptions and standardize concealed carry permits. It removes the requirement that law enforcement or retired officers must be acting within their job duties for an exemption, adding qualified retired officers to the list of people exempt from background checks when selling firearms. The bill also mandates uniform statewide forms for concealed carry permit applications and requires sheriffs to verify that firearm safety courses meet statewide standards for permit renewals. Additionally, it allows non-resident retired officers to apply for certification and prohibits fees for background checks when verifying law enforcement or retired officer status.

AB 199 modifies Nevada's firearm laws by: (1) changing the misdemeanor standard for negligent firearm discharge to require only negligence (removing "maliciously" or "wantonly" as prior requirements), affecting anyone who accidentally discharges a firearm in public places like streets or stores; (2) upgrading willful public discharge in populated areas to a felony (category C for first offense, category B with 2-15 years imprisonment for repeat offenses); and (3) revising juvenile penalties for minors handling firearms, making first offenses subject to penalties previously reserved for second offenses (200-600 hours community service, license suspension), and allowing secure facility confinement for second offenses. The bill directly affects adults facing criminal charges and minors adjudicated for firearm-related delinquent acts.

AB 245 would have raised the age limit for possessing certain firearms from 18 to 21 years. It prohibits anyone under 21 from handling, possessing, or controlling semiautomatic shotguns or semiautomatic centerfire rifles, making violations a gross misdemeanor. Adults who knowingly permit under-21 individuals to possess these firearms face increased penalties, including category C or B felonies for repeat offenses or when a violent act risk exists. The bill includes exemptions for military members, law enforcement, hunting with proper licenses, and authorized shooting activities. It also added penalties for negligently storing firearms where under-21 individuals might access them.