Buying a Gun in Wisconsin
The age to buy a gun in Wisconsin, background checks for dealer and private sales, any waiting period, and rules on ghost guns.
Short 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). Wis. Stat. § 948.60(2), (3)
| 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) |
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| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
More Wisconsin gun laws
- Concealed Carry in Wisconsin
- Open Carry in Wisconsin
- Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in Wisconsin
- All Wisconsin gun laws rules
FAQ
How old do you have to be to buy a gun in Wisconsin?
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.
Do private gun sales need a background check in Wisconsin?
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.
Is there a waiting period to buy a gun in Wisconsin?
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.
Are ghost guns legal in Wisconsin?
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.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.