Nebraska Gun Laws

Nebraska

The state of Nebraska is one of the states across the U.S. that adopts the Shall-issue policy. This means that everyone who meets the requirements when applying for a license should be issued with a permit. Gun permits are issued at the state level by the State Patrol Department. 

Because of its leniency in terms of its open carry policies, the state of Nebraska allows anyone who is at least 18 years of age and is not prohibited from carrying a firearm to open carry within its jurisdiction. When carrying a gun inside a vehicle, the gun owner must ensure that the weapon is clearly visible. Some exceptions may apply, and gun owners still need to abide by federal gun laws when carrying their rifles and handguns with them. 

Meanwhile, concealed carry in the state of Nevada is only legal for those who possess a Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) or a license/permit from a state Nebraska honors. The basic age requirement to obtain this permit is 21 years old, and they are only available to residents of the country. 

To know more about the gun laws in the state of Nebraska, as well as the process to apply and obtain a gun permit, read through this quick guide to answer all the questions you may have in mind. 

Let’s begin!

Nebraska CCW Permits and Gun Laws

Obtaining a CCW permit in the state of Nebraska is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is to take the required firearms training, make sure you meet all the criteria necessary to obtain a permit and submit your license application to the State Patrol Department. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process on how to do this. 

But before that, it is essential to know that only residents aged 21 years old and older are eligible to apply for a gun permit in Nebraska. Some exceptions are referred to military officers and non-resident military stationed within the state as they are also considered residents. Furthermore, all application forms must be notarized before submitting them to the SPD. 

Nebraska Concealed Carry Permit

There are basic requirements that need to be met before a license application is approved. If you apply for a Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP), then you must: 

  • Be at least 21 years old;
  • Be a BONA FIDE resident of Nebraska
  • Pass an approved firearms training course;
  • Complete a vision test;
  • Not be on parole, probation, house arrest or work release;
  • Not have pled guilty or no contest to, or not have been convicted of a felony;
  • Not have pled guilty or no contest to, or not have been convicted of, a misdemeanor crime of violence within the immediately preceding 10 years;
  • Not have been found in the previous 10 years to be a mentally ill and dangerous person and not be currently adjudged mentally incompetent;
  • Never have had a conviction for violation of any law relating to firearms, unlawful use of a weapon or controlled substances in the past 10 years; and
  • Meet federal law requirements.

Residency Requirements

As already mentioned, only residents of Nebraska are allowed to obtain a Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP). In order to be qualified, the applicant must: 

  • have resided in Nebraska for the previous 180 days
  • be a new resident to Nebraska with a permit from a state that is recognized by Nebraska
  • be a member of the military permanently stationed in Nebraska or their spouse

Before you apply for a Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP), you need to have a vision test and pass it. For those who have a valid Nebraska-issued driver’s license, it is already assumed that a vision test has already been passed during the application of the driver’s license. If you don’t have a driver’s license, you need to download a vision statement form from the State Patrol website, schedule a vision test and provide the form for completion by your optometrist or ophthalmologist. 

Once this has already been sort out, the process of applying for a gun permit follows these steps: 

STEP 1:

Complete a firearms training course, if required.

STEP 2:

Download the online application from your home county or pick up from the State Patrol headquarters. Fill the form up with factual and accurate information. Please note that you need to have the application notarized before submitting it back to the SPD.

STEP 3:

Take the notarized application to your nearest State Patrol headquarters along with the following:

  • Proof of firearms training;
  • Proof of vision – driver’s license or completed vision statement;
  • Proof of citizenship – birth certificate or passport; and
  • Proof of address – driver's license or Nebraska ID card.

 You will be fingerprinted, and your signature and photo will also be taken.

STEP 4:

You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved.

Please understand that applying for a gun permit can take up to five days after the submission of necessary requirements. The licenses issued by the state of Nebraska have a validity of five years. 

Before your license expires, you must apply for a renewal. You can start applying for renewal within the four months before the expiration date that is indicated in your current license. The renewal is also done at any Nebraska State Patrol Troop headquarters. Failure to apply for a renewal of your license on or before the expiration date would require you to apply for an initial license again. That also means that you need to submit all documents needed when you apply for your initial license, such as proof of firearm training, proof of vision test, and what have you. 

You need to follow the steps indicated in the table below when renewing your Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP). 

STEP 1:

Download the online application from your home county or pick up from the State Patrol headquarters. Fill the form up with factual and accurate information. Please note that you need to have the application notarized before submitting it back to the SPD.

STEP 2:

The application must be accompanied with the appropriate fee, copy of current driver’s license and current concealed handgun permit.

STEP 3:

The permit will be renewed and reissued within five working days of receipt of the application and the renewed permit is valid for a five year period from the date of expiration of the initial permit.

The following are the fees that you need to pay when applying for or renewing a Montana Concealed Carry Permit: 

Application (Five yrs. validity)

$100.00 

Renewal (Five yrs. validity)

$50.00

Online Fee (for online renewals only)

$4.50

Nebraska Concealed Carry Laws

Vehicle Carry

YES - WITHOUT A LICENSE

Yes, you can carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a permit if it is visible. However, you need a license to carry a concealed firearm inside or outside a car.

Must Notify Officer

YES - MUST INFORM OFFICER

Yes. Whenever a member of law enforcement approaches you for official business, you need to notify them that you are carrying a firearm in your person or in your vehicle. According to Nebraska law, “Whenever a permit holder who is carrying a concealed handgun is contacted by a peace officer or by emergency services personnel, the permit holder shall immediately inform the peace officer or emergency services personnel that the permit holder is carrying a concealed handgun.”

Open Carry

YES - WITHOUT A LICENSE

Open carry is legal in Nebraska. However, local governments can set their own regulations so you would need to check the local laws in the area. Minimum age for open carry is 18.

No Weapons Allowed signs enforced?

YES

Nebraska gun laws give “No Weapons” signs the force of law . There are legal penalties for entering a private property or business that has posted these signs.

Nebraska Gun Forms & Supporting Documentation

Purchase and Possession

Purchase

A handgun shall refer to any firearm with a barrel shorter than 16 inches or a firearm designed to be held and discharged using one hand.

A certificate is required to sell, (including private sales) receive, or purchase a handgun unless:

The recipient is federally licensed as firearms dealer;

The handgun is considered an antique;

The recipient of the handgun is a law enforcement agency;

The transfer of the handgun is only temporary and the recipient remains on the premises of a shooting range, or within sight of the handgun owner, or is made between the owner and his/her spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew.

Application for a certificate to purchase a handgun may be made to the sheriff or police chief for which an applicant resides either by mail or in writing.  A fee of $5.00 shall be charged for a criminal background check which will be conducted within two days of application.  A certificate shall be issued within two days of application, or a reason for denial will be furnished in writing.

The certificate shall be valid for a period of three years and does not limit the number of handguns for purchase.  An individual who is 21 years old and not prohibited from the purchase or possession of a handgun shall be issued a certificate.  No law enforcement agency in compliance with all statutes shall be civilly liable for actions arising from the issue of a certificate. An individual may appeal to the county court in the area in which he/she resides if he/she has been denied a certificate, had a certificate revoked, or has not been issued a certificate after the two-day waiting period, within 10 days of the letter of denial or revocation.  The county court shall issue a decision within 30 days, upon the applicant paying a filing fee of $10.00, (in lieu of any other filing fee required) and provide the reasons given by the sheriff or chief of police for the denial or revocation.

A federally licensed firearms dealer, importer or manufacturer may not deliver or sell a handgun to an individual without first inspecting his certificate to purchase, and valid photo identification, or a completed consent form obtained from the buyer (provided by the dealer, importer, or manufacturer and established by the Nebraska State Patrol where a criminal background check has been done and an approval number has been issued via telephone whereby the date and number are documented on the consent form), and a valid photo identification.  Transfer to dealers, manufacturers, collectors or importers does not require a certificate, or consent form.

An instant check may take the place of a certificate and shall cost $3.00. All importers, manufacturers, collectors and dealers are exempt from the instant check.

No individual under the age of 18 shall possess a handgun.  Exempt are individuals in the U.S. armed forces, or any minor under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian, or adult instructor while for temporary use or instruction.

It is illegal to, with full knowledge loan, sell, or transfer possession of a handgun to a minor under the age of 18 or to attempt to do so.  This does not apply to firearms other than handguns:

from any relative that is a parent grandparent, aunt, uncle, or relative within the second degree, or by marriage, unless, (if the handgun is not physically transferred before permission is received from the parent or guardian);

•   if for a purpose that is legitimate and legal for shooting; or
•   to a minor who is a participant in an educational program and under direct supervision of an adult.

Armed forces personnel and minors under the adult supervision of a parent, guardian or adult instructor are exempt from this regulation regarding transfer or sale of a handgun. 

POSSESSION
A permit from the state of Nebraska is not required for the possession of a rifle or shotgun.

It is illegal for any felon or individual who is a fugitive from justice to possess any firearm.  It is further illegal for individuals under the age of 18 to possess any form of short-barreled hand firearm or handgun.  Armed forces personnel and minors under direct supervision from a parent, guardian or adult instructor (for temporary use) are exempt from this regulation.

Carrying a Firearm

A valid Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) is required to carry a concealed weapon on or about the person.  It is considered an affirmative defense if an individual was carrying while engaged in lawful business, or employment, and the circumstances were such that the individual was justified in carrying concealed for the purpose of defense of self, family or property. 

It shall be unlawful to carry a firearm into any state game refuge unless for transport by highway or railroad while traveling through the refuge.

Concealed Handgun Permits are to be issued and accepted by State Patrol Offices as of January 1, 2006, as long as the applicant:
•       may lawfully possess or purchase a handgun under Federal law
•       is a Nebraska resident
•       provides two sets of fingerprints
•       submits a $100 fee ($50 fee for renewals)
•       can provide proof of eyesight equal to that which is required for the Class O operator’s driver’s license, or can submit a certified report from a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist that his/her eyesight would be sufficient to pass the eye exam for a Class O operator’s license.
•       can provide proof that he/she has completed (within the past three years) an approved course from the Nebraska State Patrol with regard to knowledge and competence in:
•       the safe handling and firing of a handgun
•       all laws that pertain to handguns, whether state, local or federal including those on justifiable homicide, self-defense, and various levels of assault
•       firearm storage
•       skills and techniques for avoidance of violent confrontation
•       (is 21 years of age or older)
•       handgun training within the past three years through the U.S. military, (active or reserve), or the National Guard that would satisfy the above requirements.

No CHP holder may consume alcohol, or a controlled substance or have alcohol or a controlled substance in his/her blood, breath, or urine while carrying a concealed handgun.  Any substance lawfully obtained and prescribed by a physician for therapeutic purposes shall be exempt from this regulation.

•       No holder of a CHP may carry a concealed handgun into any of the following:
•       A law enforcement office including any police, sheriff, or state patrol office or station,
•       A jail, prison, or detention facility,
•       A court of law or building containing a courtroom,
•       A public polling place during an election,
•       An assembly or meeting of government or any committee of the legislature,
•       A bank or financial institution,
•       A college, professional, or semi-professional athletic event,
•       A school, including school grounds, any school-owned vehicle, and any school-sponsored event or athletic event,
•       A house of worship,
•       A trauma center or emergency room,
•       A rally or fundraiser political in nature,
•       An establishment including a bar or tavern where more than 50 percent of its revenue is derived from the sale of alcohol, 
•       A place where it is prohibited under state or federal law to possess a firearm,
•       Any place where the owner prohibits the possession of lawfully permitted handguns and has either posted a notice to this effect or directly requested the removal of the firearm from hi/her property.  A permit holder may bring a handgun onto such property if it remains stored in a vehicle on the property. In addition, an employer may prohibit the possession of permitted handguns in vehicles owned by the employer.

A Certified Handgun Permit shall be issued no more than five days after a satisfactory background check has been completed.  Permits are valid for a period of five years from the date of issue, and denials may be appealed through the county district court of the county in which an applicant resides.  If a permit holder comes in contact with a law enforcement officer or emergency services personnel he/she must state that he/she is carrying a firearm.  If asked by law enforcement, a permit holder must truthfully respond that he/she is a permit holder, whether currently carrying a firearm or not.

Information relating to permit holders and applicants is only available to law enforcement agencies, whether federal, state, or local and shall not be shared with the public. 

Antiques & Replicas

An antique handgun or pistol refers to any handgun or pistol, that is manufactured in or before 1898 that has a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar ignition device, and any replica if it is not made or redesigned to use rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the U.S. and can not be obtained through ordinary trade channels. An antique handgun does not require a certificate or instant check for transfer.

Machine Guns

A machine gun refers to any firearm that shoots more than one round automatically, by a single trigger function, without manually reloading.  Transportation or possession of a machine gun is prohibited by state law. Persons who are members of the armed forces, peace officers, or qualified under federal law are exempt from this prohibition.

Range Protection

A range that complies with state shooting range performance standards shall continue normal operation without regard for any city, town, county, or village ordinance or regulation.

NEB. REV. STAT. § 37-1305. Existing shooting range; effect of noise provisions

Any shooting range that is existing and lawful may continue to operate as a shooting range notwithstanding, and without regard to, any law, rule, regulation, ordinance, or resolution related to noise enacted thereafter by any city, county, village, or other political subdivision of the state, except as provided in section 37-1308, if operated in compliance with the shooting range performance standards.

Nebraska Concealed Carry Reciprocity

The state of Nebraska will honor the CHP permits issued by some states which the Nebraska Attorney General has determined have standards equal to or higher than Nebraska. Here’s a summary of the reciprocity relationship of Nebraska with other states:

Nebraska's Reciprocity States

States that honor a nebraska permit

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Nebraska honors permits from these states

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota,Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

 

Districts & Territories
District of Columbia

Iowa – Nebraska will only honor the Non-professional permit
North Dakota – Nebraska will only honor the Class 1 permit.
South Dakota – Nebraska will only honor the Enhanced permit.

Places where you CAN'T carry:

  1. Buildings and properties owned by any law enforcement agency
  2. Any detention facility, prison, or jail
  3. Courtroom or structure which contains a courtroom
  4. Polling place during a bona fide election
  5. Meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or other political subdivision
  6. Meeting of the Legislature or a Committee of the Legislature
  7. Financial Institutions
  8. Professional or semi-professional athletic event
  9. Schools, colleges, and universities including venues of events organized by a school or a school organization
  10. Place of worship and churches
  11. Hospital, emergency room, trauma center, and other medical facilities
  12. Political rally or fundraiser
  13. An establishment having a license issued under the Nebraska Liquor Control Act that derives over one half of its total income from the sale of alcoholic liquor
  14. A place or premises where the person, persons, entity, or entities in control of the property or employer in control of the property has prohibited permit holders from carrying concealed handguns into or onto the place or premises
  15. Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law. 

Places where you CAN carry:

  1. State parks
  2. State and national forests
  3. Roadside rest areas
  4. Vehicles

Miscellaneous

It is illegal to receive, sell, or lease a firearm, with full knowledge, if a manufacturer’s serial number or other mark of identification has been altered, removed, defaced, covered or destroyed.

It is illegal to discharge a firearm or weapon with a propellant or compressed gas from a public highway, road, or bridge. It is illegal to discharge a firearm at a dwelling, motor home, motor vehicle, aircraft or building that is inhabited.

It is illegal to possess a firearm on school grounds, in a school building, in a school owned vehicle, or at a school-sponsored activity including athletic events.  Armed services personnel, peace officers, or other authorized law enforcement officers while in the course of their duties or training are exempt from this regulation if under supervision of an adult instructor, or if firearms are not loaded and contained in a vehicle driven by an adult, non-student, or locked in a firearm rack affixed to the vehicle.

Information released by the department of Health and Human Services regarding the dangers of leaving loaded firearms where children could access them shall be distributed by firearms dealers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concealed carry permits/licenses are issued by Nebraska State Patrol in Lincoln or Troop area Headquarters outside of Lincoln.

The process of applying for or renewing a license can take up to five (5) business days.

Yes. Whenever a member of law enforcement approaches you for official business, you need to notify them that you are carrying a firearm in your person or in your vehicle. 

Yes, you can carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a permit if it is visible. However, you need a license to carry a concealed firearm inside or outside a car. 

Nebraska Off Limit Statues

  • (1)(a) A permit holder may carry a concealed handgun anywhere in Nebraska, Except Any:
  • Police, Sheriff, or Nebraska State Patrol station or office
  • Detention facility, prison, or jail
  • Courtroom or building which contains a courtroom
  • Polling place during a bona fide election
  • Meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or other political
    subdivision
  • Meeting of the Legislature or a Committee of the Legislature
  • Financial Institution
  • Professional or semiprofessional athletic event
  • building, grounds, vehicle, or sponsored activity or athletic event of any public, private, denominational, or parochial elementary, vocational, or secondary school, a private postsecondary career school as defined in section 85-1603, a community college, or a public or private college, junior college, or university
  • Place of worship
  • Hospital, emergency room, or trauma center
  • Political rally or fundraiser
  • Establishment having a license issued under the Nebraska Liquor Control Act that derives over onehalf of its total income from the sale of alcoholic liquor
  • Place where the possession or carrying of a firearm is prohibited by state or federal law
  • A place or premises where the person, persons, entity, or entities in control of the property or employer in control of the property has prohibited permit holders from carrying concealed handguns into or onto the place or premises

Into or onto any other place or premises where handguns are prohibited by state law. (b) A financial institution may authorize its security personnel to carry concealed handguns in the financial institution while on duty so long as each member of the security personnel, as authorized, is in compliance with the Concealed Handgun Permit Act and possesses a permit to carry a concealed handgun issued pursuant to the act.
(c) A place of worship may authorize its security personnel to carry concealed handguns on its property so long as each member of the security personnel, as authorized, is in compliance with the Concealed Handgun Permit Act and possesses a permit to carry a concealed handgun issued pursuant to the act and written notice is given to the congregation and, if the property is leased, the carrying of concealed handguns on the property does not violate the terms of any real property lease agreement between the place of worship and the lessor.

(2) If a person, persons, entity, or entities in control of the property or an employer in control of the property prohibits a permitholder from carrying a concealed handgun into or onto the place or premises and such place or premises are open to the public, a permitholder does not violate this section unless the person, persons, entity, or entities in control of the property or employer in control of the property has posted conspicuous notice that carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited in or on the place or premises or has made a request, directly or through an authorized representative or management personnel, that the
permitholder remove the concealed handgun from the place or premises.

(3) A permitholder carrying a concealed handgun in a vehicle or on his or her person while riding in or on a vehicle into or onto any parking area, which is open to the public, used by any location listed in subdivision (1)(a) of this section, does not violate this section if, prior to exiting the vehicle, the handgun is locked inside the glove box, trunk, or other compartment of the vehicle, a storage box securely attached to the vehicle, or, if the vehicle is a motorcycle, a hardened compartment securely attached to the motorcycle. This subsection does not apply to any parking area used by such location when the carrying of a concealed handgun into or onto such parking area is prohibited by federal law.

(4) An employer may prohibit employees or other persons who are permitholders from carrying concealed handguns in vehicles owned by the employer.

(5) A permitholder shall not carry a concealed handgun while he or she is consuming alcohol or while the permitholder has remaining in his or her blood, urine, or breath any previously consumed alcohol or any controlled substance as defined in section 28-401. A permitholder does not violate this subsection if the controlled substance in his or her blood, urine, or breath was lawfully obtained and was taken in therapeutically prescribed amounts.

Laws 2018, LB909, § 120. 

(1) Any person who possesses a firearm in a school, on school grounds, in a school-owned vehicle, or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event is guilty of the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm at a school. Unlawful possession of a firearm at a school is a Class IV felony. This subsection shall not apply to

(a) the issuance of firearms to or possession by members of the armed forces of the United States, active or reserve, National Guard of this state, or Reserve Officers Training Corps or peace officers or other duly authorized law enforcement officers when on duty or training,

(b) the possession of firearms by peace officers or other duly authorized law enforcement officers when contracted by a school to provide school security or school event control services,

(c) firearms which may lawfully be possessed by the person receiving instruction, for instruction under the immediate supervision of an adult instructor,

(d) firearms which may lawfully be possessed by a member of a college or university firearm team, to include rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines, within the scope of such person's duties as a member of the team,

(e) firearms which may lawfully be possessed by a person employed by a college or university in this state as part of an agriculture or a natural resources program of such college or university, within the scope of such person's employment,

(f) firearms contained within a private vehicle operated by a nonstudent adult which are not loaded and

(i) are encased or

(ii) are in a locked firearm rack that is on a motor vehicle,

(g) firearms which may lawfully be possessed by a person for the purpose of using them, with the approval of the school, in a historical reenactment, in a hunter education program, or as part of an honor guard, or

(h) a handgun carried as a concealed handgun by a valid holder of a permit issued under the Concealed Handgun Permit Act in a vehicle or on his or her person while riding in or on a vehicle into or onto any parking area, which is open to the public and used by a school if, prior to exiting the vehicle, the handgun is locked inside the glove box, trunk, or other compartment of the vehicle, a storage box securely attached to the vehicle, or, if the vehicle is a motorcycle, other than an autocycle, a hardened compartment securely attached to the motorcycle while the vehicle is in or on such parking area, except as prohibited by federal law. For purposes of this subsection, encased means enclosed in a case that is expressly made for the purpose of containing a firearm and that is completely zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened with no part of the firearm exposed.

(2) Any firearm possessed in violation of subsection (1) of this section shall be confiscated without warrant by a peace officer or may be confiscated without warrant by school administrative or teaching personnel. Any firearm confiscated by school administrative or teaching personnel shall be delivered to a peace officer as soon as practicable.

Laws 2018, LB909, § 1

Cities and villages shall not have the power to regulate the ownership, possession, or transportation of a concealed handgun, as such ownership, possession, or transportation is authorized under the Concealed Handgun Permit Act, except as expressly provided by state law, and shall not have the power to require registration of a concealed handgun owned, possessed, or transported by a permit holder under the act. Any existing city or village ordinance, permit, or regulation regulating the ownership, possession, or transportation of a concealed handgun, as such ownership, possession, or transportation is authorized under the act, except as expressly provided under state law, and any existing city or village ordinance, permit, or regulation requiring the registration of a concealed handgun owned, possessed, or transported by a permit holder under the act, is declared to be null and void as against any permit holder possessing a valid permit under the act.

Laws 2010, LB817, § 2.

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