The Stakes
Nevada's gun debate is defined by a tragic paradox: the state experienced the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history—the October 1, 2017 Route 91 Harvest festival attack that killed 60 people—yet executive action has blocked reforms that polling shows 75-83% of voters support.
Since 2017, Nevada moved from an "F" to a "B-" grade on gun law rankings under Democratic leadership. But since Governor Lombardo took office in 2023, he has vetoed every gun safety bill passed by the legislature—six vetoes across two sessions. The 2026 election will determine whether Nevada continues its post-1 October trajectory toward stronger regulations or reverses course.
Nevada's Gun Law Landscape
What Nevada Requires
- Universal Background Checks (2020): All firearm transfers including private sales[GUN1]NRS 202.2544-202.2549
- Red Flag Law (2019): ERPOs allow temporary firearm removal from at-risk individuals[GUN2]NRS 33.500-33.670 (AB 291)
- Ghost Gun Ban (2021): Prohibits unserialized firearms (upheld by NV Supreme Court April 2024)[GUN3]NRS 202.350 (AB 286)
- CCW Permits: Must be 21+, complete training, pass background check
- Child Access Prevention: Criminal liability for negligent firearm storage
- Bump Stock Ban (2019): Post-1 October prohibition
What Nevada Permits
- Open carry without permit (anyone 18+ not prohibited)
- No permit required to purchase firearms
- No firearm registration requirement
- No magazine capacity limits
- No assault weapons ban
- Suppressors legal if federally registered
- Castle doctrine protections for home defense
The Democratic Will vs. Executive Power Tension
Nevada voters approved universal background checks by ballot initiative in 2016. The Democratic-controlled legislature has passed gun safety measures with clear majority support. Yet gubernatorial vetoes have blocked additional reforms. Democrats lack the supermajority needed to override—making the 2026 governor's race decisive for gun policy direction.
Where They Stand
Aaron Ford
Democrat · Attorney General
Attorney General Record (2019-Present)
- • Red flag law training: Promoted ERPO implementation statewide[GUN4]AG Office training programs
- • Ghost gun defense: Successfully defended AB 286 in Sisolak v. Polymer80 (NV Supreme Court, April 2024)
- • Multi-state coalitions: Joined litigation efforts supporting gun safety measures
- • Background check enforcement: Oversaw implementation of universal checks
Legislative Record (2017-2019)
- • As Senate Majority Leader, oversaw passage of 2019 gun reforms
- • Supported universal background check implementation
- • Aligned with gun safety advocacy organizations
Implied Gubernatorial Position
While Ford has not released a detailed gun policy platform, his AG record strongly suggests he would sign the measures Lombardo has vetoed, including raising the semi-automatic purchase age to 21, prohibiting firearms at polling places, and barring hate crime convicts from possessing firearms.
Historical Context
Ford's predecessor, AG Adam Laxalt (R), issued a 2016 opinion declaring the voter-approved universal background check initiative (Question 1) "unenforceable"—delaying implementation until 2020. Ford's office reversed this posture and actively enforces the law.
Alexis Hill
Democrat · Washoe County Commission Chair
Position: Unknown
Research across campaign materials, news coverage, county commission records, and candidate surveys found no documented positions on universal background checks, red flag laws, age restrictions, polling place firearm rules, or magazine capacity limits.
Platform Focus
- • Campaign emphasizes healthcare (Washoe Behavioral Health Center)
- • Housing affordability and corporate tax reform
- • Local government experience
- • Gun policy absent from issue pages
Why No County Record
- • Nevada has complete state preemption over local gun laws
- • Counties cannot enact stricter regulations than state
- • No opportunity for county-level gun policy votes
What This Means for Voters
Democratic primary voters comparing Ford and Hill cannot evaluate their differences on gun policy based on available evidence. Hill's silence may reflect strategic ambiguity in a swing-county campaign or simply that she hasn't been pressed on the issue.
Irina Hansen
Republican · Challenger
Presumed Opposition to Gun Regulations
Hansen's gubernatorial website lists "Second Amendment" as a policy area, signaling it as a campaign priority. However, research found no documented specifics on any vetoed measures, background checks, red flag laws, or age restrictions.
General Philosophy
- • Anti-regulation platform suggests gun rights alignment
- • Criticism of government overreach consistent with 2A advocacy
- • 2024 mayoral campaign (1.2%) did not articulate gun specifics
What Voters Don't Know
- • Would she govern differently than Lombardo on guns?
- • Position on specific vetoed measures?
- • Would she sign or veto age restrictions?
Matthew Winterhawk
Republican · Challenger
Position: Unknown
Gun policy is entirely absent from Winterhawk's campaign website, Ballotpedia candidate survey responses, news coverage, and social media presence.
Platform Focus
- • Government efficiency ("state D.O.G.E.")
- • Education reform
- • Land sovereignty (NLSARA proposal)
- • Gun policy not mentioned
Campaign Context
- • Self-funded, "zero-dollar" campaign
- • Minimal media coverage
- • Not been pressed on gun positions
What This Means for Voters
Republican primary voters have no basis to compare Winterhawk's approach to Lombardo's on gun policy.
Public Opinion vs. Policy
Polling consistently shows strong bipartisan support for gun safety measures—yet gubernatorial vetoes have blocked implementation.
| Policy | All Voters | Republicans | Gun Owners | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Background Checks | 83% | — | — | Law |
| Raise Semi-Auto Age to 21 | 77% | 69% | 68% | Vetoed |
| Prohibit Guns at Polling Places | 70% | — | — | Vetoed |
| Red Flag Laws | 69% | — | — | Law |
| Ban High-Capacity Magazines | 60% | — | — | Pending |
| Ban Assault-Style Weapons | 54% | — | — | Pending |
Sources: Nevada Independent/OHPI Poll (2022), Everytown polling (2025)[GUN5]Everytown 2025 polling
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Issue | Lombardo | Ford | Hill | Hansen | Winterhawk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence Strength | Strong | Strong | None | Weak | None |
| Overall Position | Opposes new restrictions | Supports gun safety | Unknown | Presumed opposition | Unknown |
| Key Indicator | 6 vetoes (2023-2025) | AG enforcement record | No documented positions | 2A listed, no specifics | Absent from platform |
| Age Restrictions (21) | Vetoed twice | Would sign | — | — | — |
| Guns at Polls Ban | Vetoed twice | Would sign | — | — | — |
| Hate Crime Gun Ban | Vetoed | Would sign | — | — | — |
Sources: Systems Analysis | Candidate Positions
Critical Gaps in Candidate Positions
What We Don't Know
- • Lombardo: Would he sign any gun safety bill? What would he accept?
- • Ford: Specific priorities beyond what Lombardo vetoed?
- • Hill: Any documented gun policy statements?
- • All candidates: Positions on magazine capacity limits, assault weapons restrictions
Questions for Candidates
- • Would you sign a bill raising the semi-automatic purchase age to 21?
- • Do you support prohibiting firearms at polling places?
- • What gun safety measures, if any, would you advance?
- • How would you balance gun rights with the Route 91 legacy?
What's at Stake in 2026
Democratic Governor
A Ford or Hill victory would likely mean signing the measures Lombardo vetoed: age restrictions, polling place bans, hate crime prohibitions. Continues post-2017 reform trajectory.
Second Lombardo Term
Continued vetoes absent a legislative supermajority. Status quo maintained. No rollback of existing laws expected, but no expansion either.
Key Dates
- • Primary: June 9, 2026
- • General: November 3, 2026
- • Early voting: October 17, 2026