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Legal Information: Nebraska

Nebraska State Gun Laws

State Gun Laws

Basic Info and Definitions

What is the difference between federal and state gun laws? Why do I need to understand both?

In these gun laws pages, we refer to both “federal gun laws” and “state gun laws.” The major difference between the two has to do with who makes the law, who prosecutes someone who violates the law, and what the penalty is for breaking the law.

One reason why it is important for you to know that there are these two sets of gun laws is so that you can understand all of the possible ways that the abuser might be breaking the law, and you can better protect yourself. Throughout this section, we will be referring mostly to state laws. Be sure to also read our Federal Gun Laws pages to see if any federal laws apply to your situation as well. You will need to read both state and federal laws to see which ones, if any, the abuser might be violating.

If you are calling the police because you believe the abuser has violated a gun law, you do not necessarily need to be able to tell the police which law was violated (state versus federal) but local police cannot arrest someone for violating federal law, only for violating state/local laws. Only federal law enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (“ATF”), can arrest someone for violating federal laws. If the local police believe that a state law is being violated, they could arrest the abuser and hand the case over to the state prosecutor. If the local police believe a federal law is being violated, hopefully, the police department will notify the ATF or perhaps the U.S. Attorney’s office in your state, which is the federal prosecutor. For information on how you can contact ATF directly to report the violation of federal gun laws, go to Who do I notify if I think the abuser should not have a gun? If the abuser is breaking both state and federal laws, s/he might be prosecuted in both state and federal court.

What is the definition of a felony?

Throughout these gun law pages, we will refer to gun laws that make it illegal for someone convicted of a felony to have a gun. A felony is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor.

In most states, a felony is defined as a crime with a punishment of more than one year. However, Nebraska state law has various felony crimes, all with different sentences, some of which may be less than one year.1 To read the various classes of felonies in Nebraska, go to our Selected Nebraska Statutes page.

1 NE R.S. § 28-105

I am a victim of domestic violence and the abuser has a gun. Is that legal?

Nebraska state law says that it is illegal for anyone to possess a firearm who:

  • has been convicted of a felony;
  • is on probation pursuant to a deferred judgment for a felony;
  • is a fugitive from justice, which is any person fleeing to avoid prosecution;
  • has been convicted within the past seven years of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; or
  • is the subject of a current domestic violence protection order, harassment protection order, or sexual assault protection order and is knowingly violating such order.1

Also, in order to get a concealed weapons permit in Nebraska, the applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

  • be at least 21 years of age;
  • not be prohibited from purchasing or possessing a handgun according to federal law 18 USC § 922, which includes the prohibition against a respondent in a protection order case from possessing a firearm;
  • meet certain vision requirements;
  • not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of Nebraska or any other state;
  • within the past ten years, not have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of violence under the laws of Nebraska or any other state;
  • within the past ten years, not have been found to be a “mentally ill and dangerous person” under the Nebraska Mental Health Commitment Act or a similar law in another state;
  • not be currently declared “mentally incompetent” by a court;
  • be a resident of this state for at least the past 180 days;
  • within the past ten years, not have had a conviction of any Nebraska law or of any similar laws of another state relating to firearms, unlawful use of a weapon, or unlawful drugs;
  • not be on parole, probation, house arrest, or work release; and
  • provide proof of firearm training.2

If any of these situations apply to the abuser, it may be illegal for him/her to have a gun. Also, federal laws, which apply to all states, may restrict an abuser’s right to have a gun. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.

1 NE ST § 28-1206(1)(a), (1)(b)
2 NE ST § 69-2433

Guns and Protection Orders

I have a protection order against the abuser. Can s/he keep a gun or buy a new gun?

Nebraska law allows the judge to order that the abuser cannot buy or have a firearm in an ex parte protection order and in a final protection order.1 If this is something that you want in your order, you may want to specifically mention in your petition that the abuser has firearms in his/her possession and that you want the judge to order them to be removed.

1 NE R.S. §§ 42-924(1)(vii); 42-925(1)

Is there anything I can do to make it more likely that my abuser's gun is taken away when I get a protection order?

While it does not need to be written on your order that the abuser cannot own, buy, or have a gun in order for the federal law to be enforced, it may make it easier if it is written.

Here are a few things that you may be able to ask for to try to make the firearm prohibition clearer:

  1. If the abuser has a gun, tell the judge how many guns s/he has, and if s/he has ever threatened you with a gun(s).
  2. Ask the judge to write into the order for protection that the defendant cannot own, buy or have a gun while the order is in effect.
  3. Before leaving the courthouse, check to make sure that this is written on your order.
  4. It also may be helpful if the judge explains what will happen to the abuser’s guns, who will take them, and where they will be held once you leave the courthouse. If the judge agrees to add language that the abuser cannot keep his/her guns while the order is in effect, you may also want to ask that the judge:
    • require the abuser to give his/her guns to the police, or require the police to go to the abuser’s house and get them;
    • make it clear to both you and the abuser how long the guns will be kept away from the abuser; and
    • order that the police notify you when the guns are returned to the abuser.

Guns and Criminal Convictions

If the abuser has been convicted of a crime, can s/he keep or buy a gun?

Nebraska state law makes it illegal for a person to have or buy a gun if:

  • s/he has been convicted of a felony;
  • is on probation pursuant to a deferred judgment for a felony;
  • has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the past seven years; or
  • is a fugitive from justice (any person fleeing to avoid prosecution).1

Also, in order to get a concealed weapons permit in Nebraska, the applicant must:

  • not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of Nebraska or any other state;
  • within the past 10 years, not have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of violence under the laws of Nebraska or any other state;
  • within the past 10 years, not have had a conviction of any Nebraska law relating to firearms, unlawful use of a weapon, or controlled substances (drugs) or of any similar laws of another state; and
  • not be on parole, probation, house arrest, or work release.2

Also, federal laws, which apply to all states, may restrict an abuser’s right to have a gun. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.

1 NE R.S. § 28-1206(1)
2 NE R.S. § 69-2433(4), (5), (8), (9)

How can I find out if the abuser has been convicted of a crime?

Criminal records are open to the public but they are not always easy to access. If you know the exact courthouse where your abuser may have been convicted, you can go to the courthouse and ask the clerk of court for access to those records.

Domestic violence misdemeanor and felony records are also kept in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). However, no one other than law enforcement officials and licensed firearm sellers are allowed to search the NICS. Your local police department may be willing to search NICS for you if you ask, but they are not required to do so.

To read more about the NICS, please see the question, What will happen if the abuser tries to purchase a gun?

The Abuser Isn't Supposed to Have a Gun...Now what?

Who do I notify if I think the abuser should not have a gun?

If you think the abuser is violating state firearm laws, you can call your local police or sheriff department or the state police. If you think the abuser is violating federal firearm laws, you can call the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

You can find contact information for sheriff departments in your area on our NE Sheriff Departments page.

You can find ATF field offices in Nebraska on the ATF website. For reporting illegal firearm activity, a person can also call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867). Many ATF offices have victim advocates on staff, called “victim/witness coordinators,” and so perhaps you may ask to speak one of these advocates if you are having a hard time connecting with, or receiving a call back from, an ATF officer.

A local domestic violence organization in your area may also be able to answer your questions and assist you in talking to the necessary law enforcement officials. You will find contact information for organizations in your area on our NE Advocates and Shelters page.

Note: Generally, the abuser does not have to have knowledge of the law in order to be arrested for breaking the law. If the abuser has or buys a gun in violation of the law, the abuser can be arrested, whether or not s/he knows that s/he was in violation of the law.1

1United States v. Lippman, 369 F. 3d 1039 (8th Cir. 2004); United States v. Henson, 55 F. Supp. 2d 528 (S.D. W.V. 1999)

What is the penalty for violating the state firearm law?

Under Nebraska law, if someone who is prohibited from possessing a firearm has one, it is a Class ID felony for a first offense and a Class IB felony for a second or subsequent offense.1 A class ID felony is punishable by a minimum of three years in prison and a maximum of 50 years in prison, while a class IB felony is punishable by a minimum of twenty years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.2

1 NE ST § 28-1206(3)(b)
2 NE ST § 28-105(1)

What will happen if the abuser tries to purchase a gun?

Before purchasing a gun from a licensed firearm dealer, all buyers must undergo a criminal background check that is processed through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The National Instant Criminal Background Check System is used by federal firearms licensees (FFLs), such as firearms dealers or pawnbrokers, to instantly determine whether someone is eligible to receive (own, possess, transport) firearms or explosives.1 If the abuser has a qualifying protection order against him/her, or has been convicted of a felony or domestic violence misdemeanor in any state, those records should be in the NICS, which should prevent the abuser from legally buying a gun. Not all states have automated record keeping systems, making it more difficult to process the criminal background check, and some criminals and abusers do slip through the system. Also, it is important to know that background checks are not required for private and online gun sales and so in those situations, the seller is not looking in the NICS.

If the abuser is able to purchase a gun and you believe that s/he should not be able to have one under the law, you can alert the police, and ask that his/her gun be taken away and perhaps the police will investigate. Generally, it is not a good idea to assume that because the abuser was able to buy a gun, it is legal for him/her to have one.

1National Criminal Justice Reference Service website

More Information and Where to Get Help

I do not have a protection order against the abuser, and s/he has not been convicted of a crime. Can s/he have a gun?

Even if you do not have a protection order and the abuser was not convicted of a crime, there are other conditions under which the abuser cannot get a concealed weapons permit and so it may still be illegal for the abuser to have a firearm. In order to get a concealed weapons permit in Nebraska, the applicant must meet all of these requirements:

  • be at least 21 years of age;
  • not be prohibited from purchasing or possessing a handgun according to federal law 18 USC § 922;
  • meet certain vision requirements;
  • not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of Nebraska or any other state;
  • within the past ten years, not have been found to be a “mentally ill and dangerous person” under the Nebraska Mental Health Commitment Act or a similar law in another state;
  • not be currently declared “mentally incompetent” by a court;
  • be a resident of this state for at least the past 180 days;
  • within the past ten years, not have had a conviction of any Nebraska law or of any similar laws of another state relating to firearms, unlawful use of a weapon, or unlawful drugs,;
  • not be on parole, probation, house arrest, or work release; and
  • provide proof of firearm training.1

Even if none of these apply to your situation, you can still make a plan for your safety. See our Safety Tips page for more information. You can also contact your local domestic violence organization for additional help. You may want to talk to them about whether leaving the area - either long term or for a little while - might help improve your safety. To find a shelter or an advocate at a local program, please visit the NE Advocates and Shelters page under the Places that Help tab at the top of this page.

For additional information on gun laws in Nebraska, you can go to the Giffords Law Center website.

Also, federal laws, which apply to all states, restrict an abuser’s right to have a gun under other circumstances. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.

1 NE R.S. § 69-2433

I've read through all of this information and I am still confused. What can I do?

Trying to understand both federal and state law can be confusing, but there are people out there who can help you better understand the law and your rights under the law.

  • You can also contact the National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit to get more information about the federal firearm law and how it applies to you: 1-800-903-0111 x 2
  • You can contact a local domestic violence organization in your area - see NE Advocates and Shelters page.

You can write to our Email Hotline.