Wisconsin Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No | No |
Registration of Firearms | No | No |
Licensing of Owners | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | Yes |
The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | Enacted |
No-Net Loss | No Legislation |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | Provisions Enacted |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Partial Ban |
Right To Carry Laws | Shall Issue |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | Conditional Recognition |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | With Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Purchase
A firearm dealer transferring possession of a handgun must have the transferee present identification and detailed information, complete a notification form, and pay a $13.00 fee. The information from the form is conveyed to the Department of Justice using a toll free telephone number for a background check for criminal history, involuntary commitment, domestic violence and tribal restraining orders. MORE |
Possession
No state permit is required to possess a rifle, shotgun, or handgun. MORE |
Carrying
The following presents discussion of the recently passed “Personal Protection Act” (PPA) effective November 1, 2011. Recently passed legislation focused on legalizing the carrying of concealed weapons, however, it should be noted that the legislation significantly strengthens the rights of those who choose to carry handguns openly without a license. The PPA prohibits the use of disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace statutes as a means of effectively prohibiting the open-carrying of lawfully-possessed firearms. Wisconsin only honors Alaska permits issued/renewed after 1/13/2013. Wisconsin only honors Missouri permits issued after 8/27/2013. Wisconsin only honors Nevada permits issued after 7/1/2011. Wisconsin only honors Ohio permits issued after 3/22/2015. Wisconsin only honors Virginia Non-Resident permits. Wisconsin only honors West Virginia permits issued after 6/8/2012. MORE |
Preemption
no political subdivision may enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution that regulates the sale, purchase, purchase delay, transfer, ownership, use, keeping, possession, bearing, transportation, licensing, permitting, registration or taxation of any firearm... MORE |
Machine Guns and other Illegal Weapons
At this time the law addressing possession, transfer and transport of machine guns, destructive devices, suppressors, short barreled rifle and shotguns are in a state of flux and clarification and reform are being sought. MORE |
Antiques and Replicas
Beginning November 1, 1992 it shall be a crime for a person to sell or distribute any look-alike firearm. Look-alike firearm means any imitation of any original firearm that was manufactured, designed and produced after December 31, 1897, including and limited to toy guns, water guns, replica non-guns and air-soft guns firing nonmetallic projectiles. The crime does not apply to the restoration of any weapon by a person having a license to collect firearms as curios or relics issued by the U.S. Dept. Of Treasury or to an imitation, non-firing, collector replica of an antique firearm developed prior to 1898, or any traditional bb, paint ball or pellet firing air guns that expels a projectile through the force of air pressure. |
Range Protection
Any domestic corporation formed for the purpose of sharpshooting or improving in the use of firearms may acquire suitable grounds therefor, and may establish, use and maintain a rifle range for its exercises. MORE |
Miscellaneous
It is unlawful to possess any firearm in a wildlife refuge unless you are a licensee carrying concealed with a license. MORE |
Thursday, August 31, 2017
An armed robber targeted a man who had just made a withdrawal from a cash machine, but the ...
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
The Wisconsin Assembly Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage Committee will be voting on Assembly Bill 455 during the ...
Thursday, August 24, 2017
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced that government officials of Wisconsin and West Virginia have worked out ...
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Please make plans now to join NRA-ILA at the NRA Carry Guard Expo in Milwaukee, this weekend! Among the many great weekend seminars, NRA-ILA ...
Monday, August 14, 2017
A resident confronted an armed home invader early Friday morning, leading to numerous shots fired, according to a ...
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Tomorrow, Senate Bill 362 will be consideredby the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining and Forestry, and Assembly ...
Monday, July 24, 2017
On Sunday, July 23rd, 2017, at approximately 3:30 pm, Manitowoc Police Department Officers were dispatched to the 5300 ...
Friday, June 2, 2017
A group of Republican legislators are circulating a bill that would create gun safety classes for high school ...
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Gun advocates urged a state Senate committee Wednesday to approve a Republican bill allowing people to carry concealed ...