Nevada AB 357 Fact Sheet

What it Does

Allows former-offenders who meet specified eligibility requirements and waiting periods (listed below) to petition a court to have all of their civil and firearm rights restored if they can prove with clear and convincing evidence that they are rehabilitated.

– 1 day from the successful completion of their sentence for first time offenders who committed a non-violent Class D or E felony.
– 2 years from the successful completion of their sentence for first time offenders who committed a non-violent Class C felony.
– 6 years from the completion of their sentence for those who have not been convicted of a felony that involved the intentional use of a deadly weapon with the intent to cause substantial bodily harm or more than one misdemeanor for domestic violence or a single Class A felony.

Puts a lifetime prohibition on owning a firearm on those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. First time offenders can use restoration process 6 years after the date of completion of their sentence. Does not allow firearm rights to be restored if a person has more than one conviction for domestic violence.

Main Problems it Solves

Nevada is the only state in the western United States that does not allow some former felony offenders to eventually have all of their rights restored. Yes, even liberal states like California and Minnesota allow some former offenders to have their firearm rights restored.

Under current law, anyone who is dishonorably discharged from felony probation or parole loses all of their civil rights for life— even first time offenders, while repeat offenders can continue to have their rights automatically restored as long as they are honorably discharged from parole and probation. e.g. A first­time offender who is dishonorably discharged from probation for not completing court ordered classes or paying fines on time will lose their civil rights for life, while a person who commits a constant string of felonies will continue to automatically have their civil rights restored if they always successfully complete probation and parole.

Bipartisan & Strong Support

The bill received unanimous support in the Assembly Judiciary Committee and was approved in the Assembly by a vote of 39 to 1. Groups ranging from the NRA to the ACLU have endorsed it.

Current Status

Waiting for Republican Senator Greg Brower to allow a vote in the Senate Judiciary. Primary sponsors in the Assembly were Assemblywoman Fiore and Assemblyman Ellison.

More information can be found at: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/78th2015/Bill/1935/Text