Question 1

Is Wisconsin a constitutional carry state?

Accepted Answer

No. Wisconsin does not have permitless concealed carry. Anyone who carries a concealed and dangerous weapon is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor unless an exception applies, such as holding a Wisconsin license or a recognized out-of-state license, being a peace officer or qualified current or former officer, or carrying in one's own home, place of business, or on land one owns, leases or legally occupies. Wisconsin residents must hold a Wisconsin license to carry concealed in Wisconsin, even if they hold another state's license.

Question 2

How do you get a concealed carry permit in Wisconsin?

Accepted Answer

License to carry a concealed weapon (CCW license), issued by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Shall-issue: DOJ 'shall issue' a license to any applicant who is not disqualified and who completes the application, and must issue or deny within 21 days of a complete application. Applicant must be 21 or older, a Wisconsin resident or military resident stationed in the state, not prohibited from possessing a firearm, and show proof of training (for example a hunter education program, a firearms safety course from a certified instructor or law-enforcement agency, or qualifying military training). The license covers handguns, electric weapons and billy clubs. Fee: DOJ lists $40 for a new license and $22 for a renewal. A new license is valid for 5 years from issuance; renewals do not need new training.

Question 3

Is open carry legal in Wisconsin?

Accepted Answer

Allowed without a license. The concealed-carry licensing law states that, unless expressly provided, it does not limit an individual's right to carry a firearm that is not concealed. Persons under 18 may not possess or go armed with a firearm (Class A misdemeanor), except during adult-supervised target practice or instruction, in the line of military duty, or with a rifle or shotgun when complying with hunting rules and not violating the short-barreled rifle/shotgun law. Open carry is still barred in gun-free school zones, at taverns (handguns) and other places listed under prohibited_places.

Question 4

How old do you have to be to buy a gun in Wisconsin?

Accepted Answer

Wisconsin's rule is age 18 for all firearms: a person under 18 may not possess or go armed with a firearm, and anyone who intentionally sells, loans or gives a firearm to a person under 18 commits a Class I felony (Class H felony if the minor's discharge of the firearm causes death). Exceptions cover adult-supervised target practice or instruction, military duty, and rifles or shotguns where the minor complies with hunting rules and the short-barreled firearm law. The same rule applies to private sales.

Question 5

Do private gun sales need a background check in Wisconsin?

Accepted Answer

Wisconsin has no state law that requires a background check for private (non-dealer) sales. When a licensed firearms dealer sells a handgun, the dealer may not transfer it until the buyer shows photo ID, completes a state notification form, and the dealer receives an approval number from the Department of Justice after a firearms restrictions record search. Per DOJ, handgun checks are done by DOJ and long-gun checks by the FBI's NICS. No permit-to-purchase or purchase license exists, and local governments may not regulate firearm sales, transfers, licensing or registration more strictly than state law.

Question 6

Is there a waiting period to buy a gun in Wisconsin?

Accepted Answer

Wisconsin has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying a firearm; a dealer may transfer a handgun once DOJ issues an approval number. If DOJ needs more time to determine eligibility, it must notify the dealer no later than 5 working days after the search was requested. Local governments may not regulate 'purchase delay' more strictly than state law.

Question 7

Does Wisconsin have a red flag law?

Accepted Answer

Wisconsin has no state law that provides for extreme risk protection orders; chapter 813 (injunctions) contains no such procedure. Firearm prohibitions do apply to people subject to domestic abuse, child abuse and certain harassment injunctions.

Question 8

Does Wisconsin ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines?

Accepted Answer

Wisconsin has no state law that bans assault weapons or limits magazine capacity. Local governments may not regulate firearms or ammunition more strictly than state law.

Question 9

Can you keep a gun in your car in Wisconsin without a permit?

Accepted Answer

A handgun may be possessed or transported in a vehicle loaded or unloaded, but a person without a concealed carry license who keeps a handgun hidden within reach commits the crime of carrying a concealed weapon; the Wisconsin Supreme Court has said an unlicensed person can comply by placing the loaded handgun out of reach (State v. Grandberry, 2018). Long guns (rifles and shotguns) must be unloaded in or on a vehicle, except when the vehicle is stationary; no one may load a non-handgun firearm in a vehicle. Violations of the vehicle rule carry a forfeiture of up to $100. Licensees may keep weapons in their own vehicles, and employers may not forbid licensees from storing a weapon in their own vehicle.

Question 10

Which states' carry permits does Wisconsin honor?

Accepted Answer

Wisconsin honors concealed carry licenses held by non-residents 21 or older from the states on the DOJ list: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Honored with conditions: Virginia and Florida non-resident licenses only; Idaho regular or enhanced licenses only; Puerto Rico regular licenses only; West Virginia regular resident or non-resident licenses (not provisional); Missouri regular licenses only. Not honored: Guam, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon and the Virgin Islands.

Question 11

Where can't you carry a gun in Wisconsin?

Accepted Answer

Licensees may not carry in police stations, sheriff's offices, state patrol stations and DOJ special-agent offices; prisons, jails and secured correctional facilities; secured mental health units; county, state or federal courthouses (unless a judge permits); municipal courtrooms in session; and beyond airport security checkpoints. Anyone (licensee or not) commits a Class I felony by possessing a firearm on school grounds; within 1,000 feet of a school only licensees, and unloaded encased firearms, are exempt from a forfeiture. Handguns are banned on premises licensed to sell alcohol for on-site drinking (Class B license) unless the person is a licensee not drinking, or another exception applies. Private property and businesses, special events, government buildings and university buildings may ban firearms by notice; for buildings this means a sign at least 5 by 7 inches posted near all entrances, and violations are a Class B forfeiture. No state ban at polling places was found.

Question 12

Are ghost guns legal in Wisconsin?

Accepted Answer

Wisconsin has no state law that regulates unserialized or homemade firearms, unfinished frames or receivers, or kits. Local governments may not regulate firearms or firearm parts more strictly than state law.

Permitless (constitutional) carry	No. Wisconsin does not have permitless concealed carry. Anyone who carries a concealed and dangerous weapon is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor unless an exception applies, such as holding a Wisconsin license or a recognized out-of-state license, being a peace officer or qualified current or former officer, or carrying in one's own home, place of business, or on land one owns, leases or legally occupies. Wisconsin residents must hold a Wisconsin license to carry concealed in Wisconsin, even if they hold another state's license. Residents rule from DOJ reciprocity page: https://www.wisdoj.gov/Pages/PublicSafety/concealed-carry-weapon-reciprocity.aspx Source: Wis. Stat. § 941.23(2)
Concealed carry permit	License to carry a concealed weapon (CCW license), issued by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Shall-issue: DOJ 'shall issue' a license to any applicant who is not disqualified and who completes the application, and must issue or deny within 21 days of a complete application. Applicant must be 21 or older, a Wisconsin resident or military resident stationed in the state, not prohibited from possessing a firearm, and show proof of training (for example a hunter education program, a firearms safety course from a certified instructor or law-enforcement agency, or qualifying military training). The license covers handguns, electric weapons and billy clubs. Fee: DOJ lists $40 for a new license and $22 for a renewal. A new license is valid for 5 years from issuance; renewals do not need new training. Fees and renewal training from DOJ: https://www.wisdoj.gov/Pages/PublicSafety/concealed-carry-weapon-license-information.aspx. The statute sets the license fee by DOJ rule at no more than $37 plus a background-check fee equal to the § 175.35(2i) fee. Source: Wis. Stat. § 175.60(1)(j), (2)(a), (3), (4)(a), (7), (9)(b), (15)(a)
Open carry	Allowed without a license. The concealed-carry licensing law states that, unless expressly provided, it does not limit an individual's right to carry a firearm that is not concealed. Persons under 18 may not possess or go armed with a firearm (Class A misdemeanor), except during adult-supervised target practice or instruction, in the line of military duty, or with a rifle or shotgun when complying with hunting rules and not violating the short-barreled rifle/shotgun law. Open carry is still barred in gun-free school zones, at taverns (handguns) and other places listed under prohibited_places. Minors: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/948.60 Source: Wis. Stat. §§ 175.60(2)(c), 948.60(2)(a), (3)
Guns in your car	A handgun may be possessed or transported in a vehicle loaded or unloaded, but a person without a concealed carry license who keeps a handgun hidden within reach commits the crime of carrying a concealed weapon; the Wisconsin Supreme Court has said an unlicensed person can comply by placing the loaded handgun out of reach (State v. Grandberry, 2018). Long guns (rifles and shotguns) must be unloaded in or on a vehicle, except when the vehicle is stationary; no one may load a non-handgun firearm in a vehicle. Violations of the vehicle rule carry a forfeiture of up to $100. Licensees may keep weapons in their own vehicles, and employers may not forbid licensees from storing a weapon in their own vehicle. Grandberry annotation printed under § 941.23: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/941.23 Source: Wis. Stat. §§ 167.31(2)(b), (c), (e), (4)(ag); 941.23(2); 175.60(15m)(b)
Other states' permits (reciprocity)	Wisconsin honors concealed carry licenses held by non-residents 21 or older from the states on the DOJ list: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Honored with conditions: Virginia and Florida non-resident licenses only; Idaho regular or enhanced licenses only; Puerto Rico regular licenses only; West Virginia regular resident or non-resident licenses (not provisional); Missouri regular licenses only. Not honored: Guam, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon and the Virgin Islands. List as shown on the DOJ CCW Reciprocity page read 2026-10-27; the statute limits recognition to states listed by DOJ rule whose licenses involve a comparable background check. Source: Wis. Stat. § 175.60(1)(f), (g), (2g)(a)
Where guns are banned	Licensees may not carry in police stations, sheriff's offices, state patrol stations and DOJ special-agent offices; prisons, jails and secured correctional facilities; secured mental health units; county, state or federal courthouses (unless a judge permits); municipal courtrooms in session; and beyond airport security checkpoints. Anyone (licensee or not) commits a Class I felony by possessing a firearm on school grounds; within 1,000 feet of a school only licensees, and unloaded encased firearms, are exempt from a forfeiture. Handguns are banned on premises licensed to sell alcohol for on-site drinking (Class B license) unless the person is a licensee not drinking, or another exception applies. Private property and businesses, special events, government buildings and university buildings may ban firearms by notice; for buildings this means a sign at least 5 by 7 inches posted near all entrances, and violations are a Class B forfeiture. No state ban at polling places was found. School zones: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/948.605; taverns: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/941.237; posting: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/943.13 Source: Wis. Stat. §§ 175.60(16), 948.605(2), 941.237(2), (3)(cx), 943.13(1m)(c), (2)(bm)

Age to buy a gun	Wisconsin's rule is age 18 for all firearms: a person under 18 may not possess or go armed with a firearm, and anyone who intentionally sells, loans or gives a firearm to a person under 18 commits a Class I felony (Class H felony if the minor's discharge of the firearm causes death). Exceptions cover adult-supervised target practice or instruction, military duty, and rifles or shotguns where the minor complies with hunting rules and the short-barreled firearm law. The same rule applies to private sales. Federal dealer age limits are not covered here. Source: Wis. Stat. § 948.60(2), (3)
Background checks and private sales	Wisconsin has no state law that requires a background check for private (non-dealer) sales. When a licensed firearms dealer sells a handgun, the dealer may not transfer it until the buyer shows photo ID, completes a state notification form, and the dealer receives an approval number from the Department of Justice after a firearms restrictions record search. Per DOJ, handgun checks are done by DOJ and long-gun checks by the FBI's NICS. No permit-to-purchase or purchase license exists, and local governments may not regulate firearm sales, transfers, licensing or registration more strictly than state law. Reviewed Wis. Stat. ch. 941 subch. III (Weapons) and ch. 175 (incl. § 175.35 handgun purchases and § 175.60 licenses), 2023-24 Wis. Stats. published Oct. 1, 2026 on 2026-10-27; no private-sale check provision found. DOJ background check page: https://www.wisdoj.gov/Pages/PublicSafety/firearms-background-check.aspx Source: Wis. Stat. §§ 175.35(2), 66.0409(2); Wis. Stat. chs. 941, 175 (reviewed)
Waiting period	Wisconsin has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying a firearm; a dealer may transfer a handgun once DOJ issues an approval number. If DOJ needs more time to determine eligibility, it must notify the dealer no later than 5 working days after the search was requested. Local governments may not regulate 'purchase delay' more strictly than state law. Reviewed Wis. Stat. ch. 941 subch. III (Weapons) and ch. 175 (incl. § 175.35 handgun purchases and § 175.60 licenses), 2023-24 Wis. Stats. published Oct. 1, 2026 on 2026-10-27; no waiting-period provision found. Source: Wis. Stat. §§ 175.35(2), (2g)(c)4.c., 66.0409(2); Wis. Stat. chs. 941, 175 (reviewed)
Ghost guns and homemade firearms	Wisconsin has no state law that regulates unserialized or homemade firearms, unfinished frames or receivers, or kits. Local governments may not regulate firearms or firearm parts more strictly than state law. Reviewed Wis. Stat. ch. 941 subch. III (Weapons) and ch. 175 (incl. § 175.35 handgun purchases and § 175.60 licenses), 2023-24 Wis. Stats. published Oct. 1, 2026 on 2026-10-27; no provision found. Federal rules are not covered. Source: Wis. Stat. § 66.0409(2); Wis. Stat. chs. 941, 175 (reviewed)

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