Heres some food for though. This is in no way giving an excuse for HPD's slowness.
Got my NV CCW at the NV Metro police station. Pre-covid. There were about 40 people in their waiting room. Did my app, prints, photo, and paid all with in 12 minutes. I thought for sure I would be there all day. They had 12 windows and any window can help you process your app and pay. 5 finger printing stations and 5 camera stations.
Renewed it post Covid. Same process and station. Took 5 hours. But at least the Metro there is indoors with AC and chairs. You also are given a number so you can monitor how many more before you. They also have easy access to a clean restroom.
It's hard to gauage how many are there for CCW because that same area is also the spot where people on parole check in. But sometimes you can tell who's there for CCW due to the "tacticool" clothing. Seems like post Covid, NV Metro really slowed down.
Nevada doesn't have registration or a permit to acquire, so the above is only for CCW.
NV had a few new anti-gun laws enacted, which probably impacts the processing of all firearm-related business.
The most egregious is the Universal background Check -- mirroring HI's system.
In 2016, the new law was voted on by the public and narrowly passed on the promise public funds and resources would not be used -- they expected NICS to run the checks for private sales, too. The FBI said, "Ain't nobody here got time fo' dat!" There are insufficient federal funds and resources to add private sales on top of all FFL sales needing NICS checks.
The NV legislature had to do some updating on the bill, and it was effective in 2020.
The STATE now has to perform the same background checks for FFL sales they used to rely on NICS for. The state check will always be more encompassing (and invasive) than a records search at NICS. That requires more time and more paperwork.
I have a feeling all that plus other new laws are bogging down the whole process.
But, you feel safer in Vegas now, right? Must be worth it...