Nevada gun laws under scrutiny after Las Vegas resident’s Manhattan shooting spree

What to know about the Silver State’s firearm regulations following deadly NYC attack

The deadly mass shooting that claimed four lives in a Manhattan office building on July 28, 2025, has renewed focus on Nevada’s gun laws, as investigators work to understand how Las Vegas resident Shane Devon Tamura acquired the weapons used in the attack.

Tamura, 27, used an AR-15-style rifle and carried a loaded .357 caliber revolver when he stormed into 345 Park Avenue, killing an off-duty NYPD officer, a security guard, and two other victims before taking his own life. The incident has prompted questions about Nevada’s firearm regulations and how weapons purchased in the state made their way to New York.

Current Nevada gun laws: Key provisions

Nevada has implemented several gun safety measures in recent years, particularly following the 2017 Route 91 Harvest festival shooting that killed 60 people in Las Vegas. According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Nevada currently receives a B- grade for its gun laws.

Open carry and purchase requirements

Nevada remains an open carry state, allowing adults 18 and older to openly carry firearms without a permit. This includes handguns, rifles, and shotguns. The state does not require permits for purchasing firearms, though all sales must go through background checks.

Since 2020, Nevada has required universal background checks for all firearm purchases, including private party sales. These transactions must be conducted through federally licensed dealers who run checks through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Concealed carry regulations

To carry concealed weapons, Nevada residents must obtain a permit from their local sheriff’s office. Requirements include:

• Being at least 21 years old
• Passing a background check
• Completing a certified firearms safety course
• Not having certain disqualifying criminal or mental health history

Tamura had obtained a concealed carry permit in 2022, which was valid for five years. The permit allowed him to legally purchase the revolver found in his possession.

Mental health restrictions

Nevada law prohibits firearm possession for individuals who have been:

• Adjudicated as mentally ill by a court
• Involuntarily committed to a mental health facility
• Voluntarily admitted to a mental health facility within the past five years (for concealed carry permits)

Notably, Tamura had two documented mental health crisis holds in Nevada—one in 2022 and another in 2024. These holds, which allow detention for up to 72 hours, apparently did not prevent him from maintaining his concealed carry permit.

Red flag law

In 2019, Nevada enacted an Extreme Risk Protection Order law, allowing courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous. Family members, household members, or law enforcement can petition for these orders, which the subject can appeal.

Prohibited locations and recent legislative efforts

Firearms are banned in several locations throughout Nevada, including:

• Public schools and college campuses (without written permission)
• Childcare facilities
• Government buildings, courts, and jails
• Private businesses with posted signage prohibiting weapons

The 2025 legislative session has seen several new gun control proposals, including Assembly Bill 245, which would raise the minimum age to purchase semiautomatic weapons from 18 to 21. The bill, introduced by Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui—a Route 91 shooting survivor—awaits Governor Joe Lombardo’s signature.

Storage requirements and ghost guns

Nevada enacted a safe storage law in 2023, requiring licensed dealers to provide locking devices with firearm purchases and post signage about negligent storage penalties. However, the state does not mandate how firearms must be stored in homes.

In 2022, Nevada banned ghost guns—untraceable firearms assembled from kits without serial numbers. The state joined 14 others in regulating these weapons that law enforcement considers particularly problematic.

The Manhattan shooting investigation

The AR-15-style rifle used in the Manhattan attack was reportedly assembled using a lower receiver purchased by an associate of Tamura’s, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. This has raised questions about straw purchases and the challenges of tracking weapon components.

While the revolver was legally purchased in Nevada, the rifle’s acquisition remains under investigation. New York prohibits assault-style weapons entirely, making their transport into the state illegal regardless of their legal status elsewhere.

Looking forward

As Nevada continues to balance Second Amendment rights with public safety concerns, the Manhattan shooting underscores the interstate nature of gun violence. With pending legislation to raise the purchase age for semiautomatic weapons and ongoing debates about mental health screening, the Silver State’s approach to firearm regulation remains in flux.

The tragedy also highlights gaps in the system, particularly regarding individuals with documented mental health issues who retain access to firearms. As investigations continue, both Nevada and national policymakers face renewed pressure to address these vulnerabilities while respecting constitutional rights.

Image Sources: https://abcnews.go.com/US/nevadas-gun-laws-after-las-vegas-man-opened/story?id=124184308

Category: State News
Subcategory: Crime & Safety
Date: 08/04/2025