Malcolm Rivera
Wisconsin is a shall-issue state, meaning that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) is required to issue a concealed carry weapon (CCW) license to applicants who meet certain qualifications. Wisconsin gun laws operate at the state level, and there is no permit, background check, or firearms registration required when buying a handgun from a private individual. Open carry is legal for anyone over the age of 18 who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state and federal laws. The Wisconsin Constitution specifically provides its citizens with the right to keep and bear arms for security, defense, hunting, recreation, or any other lawful purpose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Constitutional carry | Wisconsin is a shall-issue state. |
| Wisconsin is an open carry state with the right to bear arms. | |
| Open carry is legal without a permit for anyone over 18. | |
| Concealed carry is legal with a CCW permit. | |
| Wisconsin offers resident and non-resident licenses. | |
| A license is required to have a concealed loaded handgun within reach in a vehicle. | |
| A Wisconsin license to carry a concealed weapon is valid for 5 years. | |
| A license is not required to carry a concealed firearm in one's own dwelling or place of business or on land that they own, lease, or legally occupy. | |
| Wisconsin has state preemption laws that forbid cities from passing firearms or knife ordinances stricter than state law. |
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What You'll Learn
Wisconsin gun laws
Wisconsin is a "shall-issue" state, meaning that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is required to issue a concealed carry weapon (CCW) license to applicants who meet certain qualifications. The DOJ must issue a license to carry a concealed weapon to any individual who submits an application unless the applicant is prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law. Wisconsin residents and non-residents can apply for a CCW license, but non-residents must have a license or permit from their home state that Wisconsin honours. Wisconsin will honour permits from states with which it has reciprocity agreements and states that require a background check comparable to Wisconsin's.
Wisconsin is an open carry state, meaning that anyone who is not otherwise barred from carrying a firearm may do so in public locations, buildings they own, private establishments that are not licensed to sell alcohol, and public buildings. However, the owner or occupant of a private location may restrict access to anyone carrying a firearm. Open carry is legal for anyone over the age of 18, or 21 if the individual is carrying a concealed weapon.
Wisconsin law does not require a license to carry a firearm in one's own dwelling, place of business, or on land that the individual owns, leases, or legally occupies. A license is required to carry a concealed loaded handgun within reach in a vehicle, but it is legal to transport a loaded handgun in a vehicle, cased or uncased, without a license. However, long guns must be unloaded and may now be uncased. It is also legal to carry or store loaded handguns on ground and water vehicles. All weapons, including crossbows, must be unloaded before being carried on an aircraft.
Wisconsin law breaks down punishments for firearms offences into felonies rated from A to H and misdemeanours rated from A to C, with A being the most severe. Minor possession violations, such as carrying a concealed weapon or carrying a weapon into a bar, are punished by class A misdemeanours, which carry fines of up to $10,000 and up to six months of jail time.
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Concealed carry permits
In 2011, Wisconsin passed a law allowing licensed individuals to carry a concealed firearm in public. The law also permits individuals to carry a concealed firearm in their own dwelling, place of business, or on land they own, lease, or legally occupy, even without a license.
Wisconsin is a shall-issue state, meaning the Department of Justice (DOJ) will issue a Concealed Weapons License (CWL) to residents and military personnel stationed in Wisconsin who meet certain qualifications. Applicants must be 21 or older and have completed a firearms training course, as well as meeting other criteria. A Wisconsin CWL is valid for 5 years, after which a background check is required for renewal, but no further firearms safety training or testing is necessary.
Wisconsin offers both resident and non-resident licenses. Non-residents with a valid license/permit from another state that Wisconsin honors can also carry concealed weapons. The DOJ maintains a list of states with comparable background check requirements to Wisconsin, and individuals with a CCW license from one of these states may carry a concealed weapon in Wisconsin.
The process for obtaining a CCW license involves submitting an application and a check or money order for $22 to the Wisconsin DOJ. Applicants must ensure that their current residential address is the same as the one registered with the Department of Transportation (DOT). If an application is denied, there is an appeals process available at no additional charge.
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Open carry laws
Wisconsin is an open-carry state, meaning that anyone who is not barred from carrying a firearm may do so in public locations, their own buildings, private establishments that aren't licensed to sell alcohol, or public buildings. The right to bear arms is guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, and Wisconsin's state constitution also affirms this right for the defence of oneself and the state. Wisconsin's gun laws are relatively permissive compared to other states, and the state allows open carry without a permit, as long as the individual is 18 or older and is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law.
However, there are some restrictions to open carry in Wisconsin. For example, it is illegal to openly carry a firearm in certain places such as police stations, schools, and government buildings. Private property owners also have the right to prohibit open carry on their property, and local governments can restrict open carry in certain areas.
While Wisconsin is an open-carry state, there are laws in place regarding the use of firearms. For example, setting a trap with a firearm is illegal, and discharging a weapon from a vehicle on a road or in a parking lot is also illegal. Carrying a concealed weapon is also illegal in Wisconsin unless the individual has a permit, with some exceptions, such as being on your own property or in your own vehicle. Wisconsin is a "shall-issue" state, meaning that as long as an individual meets certain qualifications, they must be issued a permit upon application.
Wisconsin law breaks down punishments for gun crimes into felonies rated from A to H and misdemeanors rated from A to C, with A being reserved for the most severe crimes. Punishments for minor possession violations, such as carrying a concealed weapon without a permit or carrying a weapon into a bar, are punished by class A misdemeanors, which carry fines of up to $10,000 and up to six months of jail time.
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Constitutional carry
Wisconsin is a shall-issue state, meaning that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) is required to issue a concealed carry weapon (CCW) license to an applicant if they meet certain qualifications. The DOJ must issue a license to carry a concealed weapon to any individual who submits an application unless they are prohibited from possessing a firearm under state and federal laws. Wisconsin residents may apply for a CCW license, and non-residents with a valid license from another state that Wisconsin honours are also permitted to carry concealed weapons.
Wisconsin's constitution specifically provides its citizens with the right to keep and bear arms for security, defence, hunting, recreation, or any other lawful purpose. The state's preemption laws forbid cities from passing firearms or knife ordinances that are stricter than state laws. Localities may impose a sales or use tax and may restrict the discharge of firearms except in self-defence.
Open carry is legal in Wisconsin for any person over the age of 18, or 21 if the person does not have a license, and who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm. A license is not required to carry a firearm in one's own dwelling, place of business, or on land that they own, lease, or legally occupy. However, a license is required to carry a concealed loaded handgun within reach in a vehicle.
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Firearm training
Wisconsin's gun laws are considered relatively permissive compared to other states in the US. The Second Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees the right of individuals to keep and bear arms, and Wisconsin's state constitution affirms the right to bear arms for self-defence and the defence of the state. Wisconsin residents have the right to own firearms for lawful purposes such as self-defence, hunting, and sport shooting.
To carry a firearm in Wisconsin, individuals must meet certain requirements. The state is a "shall-issue" jurisdiction, meaning that as long as an individual meets the qualifications, they must be issued a permit upon application. These qualifications include being 21 or older, completing a firearms training course, and passing a background check. Wisconsin also recognises concealed carry permits from other states with reciprocity agreements or comparable background check requirements.
The DOJ requires individuals to demonstrate proficiency in the safe handling and use of firearms. This includes knowledge of firearm mechanics, shooting fundamentals, and safety protocols. The training courses typically cover topics such as firearm safety rules, proper storage and transportation of firearms, and conflict resolution strategies to avoid the need for deadly force.
Additionally, the training curriculum may include live-fire exercises to develop shooting skills and familiarisation with different firearm types. Individuals who have previously received military, law enforcement, or security training that provided substantial experience with firearms may be exempt from some training requirements. It is important for gun owners and permit applicants in Wisconsin to refer to the DOJ's guidelines and seek instruction from certified firearm safety trainers to ensure they meet the necessary standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Wisconsin is a constitutional carry state. The Constitution of Wisconsin protects the right to bear arms in Article 1, Section 25.
Constitutional carry means that the state's law does not prohibit citizens who can legally possess a firearm from carrying handguns, either openly or in a concealed manner, thus no state permit is required.
Yes, open carry is legal in Wisconsin without a permit. However, electrical weapons such as tasers are not authorized for open carry and must be transported in a secure carrying case.
Yes, concealed carry is legal in Wisconsin with a CCW permit. A Wisconsin Concealed Weapons License (CWL) is required for residents, while non-residents need a license/permit from a state that Wisconsin honors.
Applicants for a CWL must be 21 or older, have completed a firearms training course, and meet other criteria. CWLs are only issued to residents and military personnel stationed in Wisconsin.
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