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Monday, Sep. 22, 2025

Did any Nevada gun laws change after the 2017 mass shooting on the Strip?

Kiara Adams, The Nevada Independent
yes

Since the 2017 mass shooting on Oct. 1 at the Route 91 festival, which claimed 60 lives and injured hundreds, there have been various changes to Nevada gun laws, the most notable coming from AB291 and SB143.

AB291 dubbed the “1 October Bill”  was passed in the first weeks of the 2019 session of the Legislature. The bill banned bump stocks — the device found in the shooter’s Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino room — and implemented a legal process that allows courts to take firearms from someone showing signs of high- risk behavior.

SB143 set stringent requirements on background checks for the sale or transfer of firearms. The requirement extends to private sales or transfers as well. The bill transferred responsibility of conducting background checks from the FBI to the state. Former Gov. Steve Sisolak signed this bill into law in early 2020.

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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