Existing law prohibits a child under the age of 18 years from handling, possessing or controlling a firearm under certain circumstances. (NRS 202.300) Section 1 of this bill makes it a gross misdemeanor for a person who is less than 21 years of age to possess or control a: (1) semiautomatic shotgun; or (2) semiautomatic centerfire rifle. Existing law provides that a person does not aid or knowingly permit a child to handle, possess or control a firearm if the firearm was stored in a securely locked container or at a location which a reasonable person would have believed to be secure. Under existing law, a person who aids or knowingly permits a child to handle, possess or control a firearm is guilty of: (1) for the first offense, a misdemeanor; (2) for a first offense, if the person knows or has reason to know that there is a substantial risk that the child will use the firearm to commit a violent act, a category C felony; and (3) for a second or any subsequent offense, a category B felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 6 years. (NRS 202.300) Section 1: (1) provides the same penalties for a person who aids or knowingly permits a person who is less than 21 years of age to handle, possess or control certain firearms; and (2) includes similar provisions concerning the circumstances in which a person does not aid or knowingly permit a person who is less than 21 years of age to handle, possess or control such firearms. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to negligently store or leave a firearm at a location under his or her control if the person knows or has reason to know that there is a substantial risk that a child, who is otherwise prohibited from handling, possessing or controlling a firearm, may obtain the firearm. (NRS 202.300) Section 1 adds a similar provision imposing the same penalty for a person who negligently stores or leaves a firearm at a similar location from which a person who is less than 21 years of age may obtain the firearm. Existing law authorizes a child who is 14 years of age or older and who, among other requirements, has a valid hunting license, to handle, possess or control a: (1) rifle or shotgun; or (2) firearm capable of being concealed upon the person. However, existing law provides that the rifle or shotgun must not be a fully automatic firearm. (NRS 202.300) Section 3 of this bill prohibits a child who is 14 years of age or older from handling, possessing or controlling a semiautomatic shotgun or semiautomatic centerfire rifle. Under certain circumstances, existing law authorizes a child who is 14 years of age or older to handle, possess or control a rifle or shotgun that is not a fully automatic firearm at his or her residence. (NRS 202.300) Section 3: (1) provides that the rifle or shotgun must not be a semiautomatic shotgun or semiautomatic centerfire rifle; and (2) requires that the rifle or shotgun, while not in use, must remain unloaded and stored in a securely locked container under the possession of certain persons. Section 2 of this bill makes a conforming change to indicate the proper placement of section 1 in the Nevada Revised Statutes.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 202.253, 202.300
Reprint 1: 202.253, 202.300
As Enrolled: 202.253, 202.300
BDR: 202.253, 202.300