Nebraska Gun Laws in Plain English
In Nebraska, you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit if you are at least 21 and not prohibited from owning guns. However, to BUY a handgun (even from a friend), you must first get a $5 Purchase Certificate from your local Sheriff or have a Concealed Handgun Permit. You can own standard magazines and AR-15s. Local cities like Omaha can no longer enforce their own gun restrictions.
Critical: Nebraska Gun Law Gotchas
These are the most important things to know that could get you arrested or charged with a crime:
- #1The 'Constitutional Carry' trap: You can CARRY without a permit, but you cannot BUY a handgun without a Purchase Certificate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2403).
- #2Private Sale Trap: Selling a handgun to a neighbor without seeing their Purchase Certificate or CHP is a crime (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2403).
- #3Duty to Inform: You MUST 'immediately' inform a police officer that you are carrying a concealed handgun upon contact (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1202.04).
- #4Federal School Zones: Constitutional Carry does NOT exempt you from the federal 1,000-foot Gun-Free School Zone. Only a state-issued CHP does (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)).
- #5Signage Force of Law: 'No Gun' signs on private property have the force of law. Violating them is a specific misdemeanor, not just trespassing (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2441).
- #6Campus Carry: Carrying on any college or university campus is prohibited by state statute, not just school policy (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2441).
- #7Tribal Lands: Nebraska has several reservations (Omaha, Winnebago, etc.) where state Constitutional Carry may not apply. Check tribal law.
- #8Alcohol: You cannot carry in any place that sells alcohol for consumption on the premises (bars/restaurants) unless you are not consuming AND the place is not posted (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2441).
- #9Snowmobiles: It is illegal to carry a firearm on a snowmobile unless it is unloaded and in a case (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,342).
- #10Emergency Management: The Governor has powers to restrict firearms during a declared emergency (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-829.40).
- #11Purchase Age vs Carry Age: You can possess a handgun at 18, but you cannot buy one from a dealer until 21. Constitutional carry applies to those 21+.
- #12Omaha Registration: While preempted now, ensure you don't rely on old advice telling you to register your handgun with Omaha PD. That office is closed for registrations.
Read these carefully - they cover common mistakes that lead to felony charges.