Know the Laws: Nevada
UPDATED May 29, 2012
WomensLaw.org strongly recommends that you get in touch with a domestic violence advocate in your community for more information on gun laws in your area. To find help in your state, please click on the Where to Find Help tab at the top of this page.
- Basic Info
- Guns and Protective Orders
- Guns and Criminal Convictions
- More Information and Where to Get Help
Basic Info
back to topI am a victim of domestic violence and the abuser has a gun. Do I have legal options for getting the gun away from my abuser?
Yes. Federal law prohibits certain persons from having and buying guns.*
If you have an order of protection against your abuser, or if your abuser has been convicted of a felony or domestic violence misdemeanor, then federal law states that it is illegal for your abuser to buy, own or have a gun in his/her possession.** Note: There are certain requirements that your order of protection must meet for it to qualify under Federal law. See the next question to read more about what those requirements are.
Under NV state law, judges at protective order hearings can require abusers to sell or hand over their guns to police or another person the court designates. However, if an abuser needs a gun for employment, s/he may be able to keep it.
If you are not sure if your abuser has been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor, see What crimes are considered domestic violence misdemeanors?
To read the definition of a felony, see What is the definition of a felony?
* 18 USC Sec. 922(g)(8); 18 USC Sec. 922(g)(9)
** Federal law, as well as state law, is enforceable in NV