Nebraska allows concealed carry without a permit under LB 77 (effective September 10, 2023), known as "constitutional carry" (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1202.01). Anyone 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed in most public places. A Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) is optional under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2430 for reciprocity or purchase benefits. CHP applicants must complete an 8-16 hour training course, pass a background check, and submit fingerprints. Concealed carry is banned in places like schools, courthouses, and liquor establishments (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2441). Private property owners can prohibit firearms with signage. Violations can lead to a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail) or felony (up to 7 years) in restricted areas.
Costs: A CHP costs $100 for residents, plus $25-$50 for fingerprints and $100-$200 for training. Total is typically $225-$350.
Processing Time: CHP applications are processed within 45 days.
Renewal: A CHP lasts 5 years and costs $50 to renew, with no retraining required.
Reciprocity: Nebraska honors permits from 33 states, like Kansas and Missouri. A Nebraska CHP is recognized by 30 states, including Iowa and South Dakota. Permitless carry applies only in Nebraska.
Nebraska permits open carry of handguns and long guns without a permit for anyone 18 or older who can legally possess a firearm (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1202). Firearms in vehicles must be visible if carried openly. Open carry is banned in schools, courthouses, and other restricted areas (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2441). Private businesses can prohibit it with signage. Violations can result in a misdemeanor (up to 1 year) or felony (up to 7 years) in restricted zones.
Nebraska has minimal state-level restrictions on firearm types. Assault weapons and large-capacity magazines are legal with no limits (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1201). Silencers, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and machine guns are allowed if registered with the ATF under federal law (26 U.S.C. § 5861). Ghost guns are legal and don’t need serialization. Felons and certain others can’t possess firearms (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1206). Federal violations can lead to felony charges (up to 10 years).
Costs: Federal tax stamps for NFA items (like silencers) cost $200 each.
Nebraska follows the federal Firearms Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA) (18 U.S.C. § 926A) for interstate travel. Firearms must be unloaded and in a locked container if passing through restrictive states. Nebraska law allows permitless carry in vehicles for those 21 or older (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1202.01). Carry is banned in federal facilities and restricted areas like schools (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2441). Violations can lead to a misdemeanor (up to 1 year) or felony (up to 7 years).
Nebraska requires a Handgun Purchase Permit to buy handguns (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2404). Applicants must be 21, pass a background check, and pay a fee. No permit is needed for rifles or shotguns, which follow federal rules (18 U.S.C. § 922). Private sales of handguns require a permit, but not long guns. Violations can lead to a misdemeanor (up to 1 year) or felony (up to 7 years) if sold to prohibited persons.
Costs: A purchase permit costs $5-$10, depending on the county.
Processing Time: Permits are issued within 2-3 days.
Nebraska does not require state-level firearm registration (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1201). There’s no mandate to report lost or stolen guns, and ghost guns don’t need serialization. Federal registration applies to NFA items like machine guns (26 U.S.C. § 5861). Federal violations can result in felony charges (up to 10 years).
Costs: None for state registration; federal NFA tax stamps are $200.
Nebraska has no state-mandated storage laws for firearms. There’s no specific child access prevention law, but reckless endangerment applies if a child accesses a gun and causes harm (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-707). No reporting is required for lost or stolen firearms. Penalties can be a misdemeanor (up to 1 year) or felony (up to 7 years) if injury occurs.
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Nebraska has a Castle Doctrine with no duty to retreat in your home or workplace (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1409). Deadly force is allowed if you believe it’s necessary to prevent death or serious harm. Outside these places, you must retreat if safe before using force. Excessive force can lead to manslaughter charges (up to 20 years).
Sources: [1]