Gun Laws in Wisconsin
Gun Friendliness Score
How We Calculate Gun Friendliness Scores
The Gun Friendliness Score ranges from 0 to 100 and represents how favorable a state's laws are toward gun ownership and use. We evaluate each state across 50 key gun policies, assigning points based on how these policies affect gun owners:
- Policies that support gun rights, reduce restrictions, or expand legal protections for gun owners receive positive points
- Policies that restrict firearm ownership, limit purchase options, or add regulatory burdens receive negative points
Wisconsin's strong score of 76 reflects the state's shall-issue concealed carry system, strong preemption laws, absence of assault weapon bans, and robust self-defense protections.
Wisconsin Gun Laws Summary
Wisconsin has established itself as a gun-friendly state with strong protections for Second Amendment rights. The state has reasonable restrictions on firearms while maintaining a balance that respects the rights of law-abiding gun owners, often avoiding excessive regulations beyond what federal law requires.
Wisconsin is a shall-issue state for concealed weapons permits. The Department of Justice handles permit issuance, and qualifying applicants will receive their permits without discretionary denial. A concealed carry permit is required to carry a concealed weapon in Wisconsin, providing holders with reciprocity in many other states.
Since November 1, 2011, Wisconsin has allowed concealed carry when Governor Scott Walker signed Act 35 into law. Wisconsin was the 49th state to enact concealed carry legislation, ending its status as one of the last states without any provision for concealed carry. While Wisconsin requires a permit for concealed carry, the state maintains strong protections for gun owners and has avoided many of the restrictive measures found in less gun-friendly states.
Permitting, Sales and Transfers
No permits are required to purchase firearms or ammunition in Wisconsin. Background checks are conducted for sales through federally licensed dealers (FFLs) as required by federal law, using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Private sales between individuals require no background check, permit, or registration. Wisconsin law prohibits any state or local governmental unit from maintaining a registry of firearm transfers or firearm ownership, ensuring privacy for gun owners.
Firearms in Public and in the Home
Wisconsin requires a permit for concealed carry. Residents aged 21 and older who meet training requirements and pass a background check may obtain a concealed carry license. Wisconsin honors concealed carry permits from states that have similar training requirements and conduct background checks.
Open carry is legal without a permit for anyone 18 years or older who can legally possess a firearm. Certain locations prohibit carry, including federal buildings, schools, police stations, jails, courthouses, secure mental health facilities, and establishments that derive more than 50% of income from alcohol sales. Wisconsin requires completion of a firearms safety training course approved by the Department of Justice or evidence of military or law enforcement training for concealed carry permits.
Firearm, Feature and Accessory Bans
Wisconsin has no bans on semi-automatic firearms, detachable magazines, or firearms with specific features. There are no magazine capacity restrictions. All NFA items (suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, machine guns, etc.) are legal to own provided federal requirements are met. Wisconsin law prevents local governments from enacting regulations on firearms that are more restrictive than state law.
Local Laws
Wisconsin has strong statewide preemption of firearms laws. State law prohibits cities, villages, towns, and counties from enacting any ordinance or adopting any resolution that regulates the sale, purchase, purchase delay, transfer, ownership, use, keeping, possession, bearing, transportation, licensing, permitting, registration, or taxation of any firearm or part of a firearm, including ammunition and reloader components. This ensures uniform gun laws throughout the state.
2025 Gun Law Checklist
Wisconsin Gun Policy Profile: 50 Key Legislative Points
Purchasing and Sales Regulations
Background Check for Any Firearm Sale
State requires any firearm sale to go through a licensed dealer (FFL) and be subject to a background check. (Federal law requires those "engaged in the business" of buying/selling firearms to perform a background check during a sale). A private sale or transfer of any firearm between individuals (non-family members) must be also conducted through an FFL.
Background Check for Any Handgun Sale (Including Private Sales)
All handgun sales and most transfers are subject to a background check. Private sales of handguns between individuals (non-family members) must be conducted through an FFL.
Background Check Extensions
State will halt the transfer of a firearm if a background check is delayed. Some states will halt the process indefinitely, some for a set amount of time.
Failed Background Check Reported to Law Enforcement
The firearm dealer (or state agency conducting the background check) has a responsibility to notify local law enforcement of a failed background check.
Must be 21 or Older to Purchase
Most firearms–including rifles, shotguns, and handguns–cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 21. (Federal laws permit long guns to be sold to those over the age of 18.)
Permit to Purchase
State requires a permit (single-use or renewable) for all firearms or specifically for handguns. States typically charge a fee for the permit and a background check is performed during the application.
Mandatory Waiting Periods
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must wait a specified period (typically between 3-14 days) between initiating the purchase and taking possession of the firearm.
State Licenses All Gun Dealers
State has a licensing system for firearms merchants above and beyond the federal (FFL) system.
Purchase Rejected for Public Safety Reasons
State officials able to block sales of firearms if the purchaser is deemed to be a threat to themselves or to public safety (according to the judgment of the official)
Approved Handgun Roster
State controls what make and model handguns are sold; according to their own criteria. Often, this involves a "roster" of approved handguns with the right "safety" features, such as a loaded chamber indicator, or even the amount of metal in the firearm (Maryland). Often, LE are exempt from these requirements.
Strict Unfinished Frames and Receivers Laws
State sets a lower threshold for unfinished frames and receivers (beyond ATF rule 2021R-05F). Includes ban on 3D-printing of these parts in some states.
Ownership and Registration Requirements
Permit to Possess
Several states require a permit just to possess: a handgun (New York); any firearms or ammunition (Illinois).
State Firearm or Handgun Registry
State keeps a record of every firearm or handgun sold. Includes states with a permit to purchase and states that keep records of purchases.
Mandatory Firearms Training
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must prove they completed the state ordered training. Often, this is part of the application process for a Permit to Purchase.
Secure Storage Requirement
Gun owners must lock up firearms in the home (or anywhere else a minor or prohibited person may have access).
Magazine Capacity Limits
State limits magazine capacity for some or all firearms.
"Assault Weapons" Ban
Magazine fed, semi-automatic, centerfire rifles cannot have other "features" (pistol grip, flash hider, etc.) or they are considered "assault weapons." New guns cannot be registered as "assault weapons." Possession is prohibited with limited exceptions.
Microstamping Law
State has a law banning the sale of a new pistol unless its firing can imprint its serial number somewhere on the cartridge case during firing. This technology is make-believe at present, but these laws will effectively ban the sale of new handguns in the state if/when they become effective
Penalties for Not Reporting a Lost or Stolen Firearm
Gun owners must report the loss or theft of firearms–usually within several days of the incident or first discovering the loss–or potentially face a criminal penalty.
Carry and Location Restrictions
Mandatory Permit for Concealed Carry
State requires a permit to carry a concealed pistol. This includes all states that "may issue" a permit (where officials may deny a permit for subjective reasons).
Officials Can Deny Carry Permit
State allows the carry permit officials to deny an application based on the state's own criteria.
Open Carry Limited or Banned
State restricts open carry to rifles and shotguns or bans open carry completely unless you are LE or special permit holder.
No Carry Mandate for College Campuses
State has not passed a blanket law permitting concealed carry on college campuses.
Gun Ban on Most Public Property
State limits or bans any type of carry in and around government facilities (state, county, municipal) and/or limits carry of firearms in parades and demonstrations
Guns Banned in Bars
State prohibits carry inside bars or consumption of alcohol while carrying.
No Guns in K-12 Schools
Only LE (and in some states, specially licensed school officials) may carry on school property.
Does Not Recognize Other States' Carry Permits
State doesn't consider concealed carry permits from other states valid
Prohibited Persons and Possession Restrictions
Felons are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting felons from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Fugitives are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting fugitives from justice from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Involuntarily Committed are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those who have been involuntarily committed (to a psychiatric hospital or mental institution), or those found to be a danger to themselves or others from owning guns and ammo. Federal law already prohibits anyone found to be mentally defective or committed to a mental institution at 16 years or older.
Violent Offenders Cannot Possess
State will take away firearms, deny future possession, or at minimum deny future purchase of firearms for certain misdemeanor crimes of violence (besides domestic violence violence).
Domestic Violence Offenders Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this
Stalkers are Prohibited Persons at the State Level
State has either made stalking a felony (instant prohibitor) or makes an individual convicted of misdemeanor stalking a prohibited person.
Intervention and Seizure Provisions
Red Flag Law
Law enforcement (and others, depending on the state) is allowed to request that firearms be taken away from others with limited due process.
Emergency Gun Seizure Before Restraining Orders
Similar to a red flag law, state will take away guns before an actual conviction. This is often during domestic disputes, before a restraining order takes effect, and in similar situations.
Guns Seized for Hate Crimes
State will take away all firearms from an individual in response to a misdemeanor hate crime conviction.
Guns Seized After Becoming Prohibited
State will quickly respond when an individual's status changes to prohibited and take away all firearms belonging to that person.
Guns Seized After Domestic Violence Conviction
State will quickly respond to take away firearms from an individual if they are convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.
Guns Seized Amid Restraining Orders
State will take away all firearms from anyone who is subject to a restraining order, even though federal law already does this.
No Stand Your Ground Law
State imposes a "duty to retreat" before using force or requires "proportional force" when responding to an attack or dangerous situation with force.
Monitoring and Threat Assessment
Mental Health Database
State maintains records of anyone that has been committed or involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals. They send this information to the FBI for use by the NICS (or when conducting a state background check, if applicable).
School Officials Conduct Threat Assessments
Teams of mostly school officials are empowered by law to refer children for mental health assessments or take more drastic action if they believe the child poses a threat to themselves or others.
Mandatory Tracing of "Crime Guns"
Law enforcement must use either a state system or the federal firearm tracing system to research any firearm recovered from a crime scene or used in a crime.
Law Enforcement Oversight and Accountability
No LE Officers Bill of Rights
Some states never passed (or passed and later repealed) a set of basic protections for public safety officers. These protections vary by state. They often include the right to engage in political activity and run for public office, and the right to refuse a lie detector test, among other things.
Heavy Restrictions on LE Use of Deadly Force
State laws severely limit the discharge of firearms to apprehend criminals, including against individuals suspected of murder or fleeing a felony in many cases.
Reports for LE Deadly Force Incidents
Law enforcement agencies are required to report any officer-involved shootings that result in serious injury or death. Monthly or annual reports are compiled using this data and made available to the public.
No Qualified Immunity Defense Laws
In civil court, LE officials may not use a defense of qualified immunity if they are accused of certain civil rights violations. This includes situations in which a firearm was used.
Prevention and Support Programs
Dedicated Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Some states have passed legislation creating gun violence prevention offices that target "community gun violence." Taxpayer funds are used to support these programs, which may have little to no effect on violent crime.
Funding for Services of Victims of Gun Violence
Some states maximize the use of federal money intended for victims of violent crime by increasing pool of eligible claimants. Money is paid out to families of convicted felons in many cases.
Local Control
Counties / Cities / Towns Can Pass Stricter Gun Laws
Local governments are free to pass their own gun control laws in addition to any existing laws at the federal and state levels. Some states prohibit local governments from passing laws about specific things-including guns. This is known as preemption.
Conclusion
In this piece, we dive into the firearm and ammunition laws that apply in the state of Wisconsin. To do so, we begin with the ammo laws, describing the legal requirements for having ammunition shipped to a residential address in the state. From there, we unpack the firearms laws, first in terms of buying guns in the state, and then the laws concerning the carriage of firearms. To wrap up, the piece finishes with some resources that you will find useful if you’re interested in legally buying, owning, and carrying firearms in the state of Wisconsin.
We do not intend this piece as legal advice. Instead, our hope is that you find the information here a good starting point for your own research so that you can make better-informed decisions.
Like many states, Wisconsin has preemption. This means that the state has a law that prevents smaller political divisions, like counties, cities, and towns, from making and enforcing their own firearms laws that are stricter than those at the state level. Preemption is handy for lawful gun owners because it means that your understanding of state laws applies in the entire state.
Wisconsin is fairly permissive in terms of its ammunition and firearms laws. There are no major bans in the state, and the only reason the state is not among the most permissive is that it requires a permit for concealed carry. Aside from that slightly stricter stance on the carriage of firearms, this is a permissive state for gun owners.
Ammo Laws/Buying Ammo in Wisconsin
First, we will cover the ammo laws in Wisconsin.
Generally, Wisconsin is permissive in terms of its ammunition laws. There is one small exception to this, however: the state adds additional charges for those who commit crimes using armor-piercing handgun rounds. This will not affect most gun owners and thus does not make the state less permissive by much.
Aside from the possibility of additional charges, Wisconsin does not place additional regulations on ammo sales, and thus buying ammo in the state follows the federal guidelines enforced by the ATF. The ATF has two sets of requirements for ammo buyers. The first is an age requirement: ammo buyers have to be eighteen years of age or older to buy ammo for long guns (rifles and shotguns) and at least twenty-one years old to buy handgun ammo. Additionally, buyers cannot be prohibited persons, which the ATF defines as those convicted of felonies or domestic violence, people who have been found mentally deficient in a court of law, and people who have been involuntarily committed to inpatient mental health treatment.
If the buyer meets both sets of requirements, Wisconsin does not prohibit ammunition from being shipped to a residential address in the state, and, thus, buyers are free to shop online. Carriers might ask for someone with an ID to be present to sign for a package containing ammunition.
Since the threat of additional charges for the use of armor-piercing rounds while in the commission of a crime only, by definition, applies to those already committing crimes, it’s a small restriction that does not make Wisconsin less permissive in a meaningful way.
Gun Laws/Buying Guns in Wisconsin
Next, we will do the same for gun laws.
Wisconsin is fairly permissive when it comes to firearms laws, with a few small exceptions. The state does not have an assault weapons ban that would ban guns by either a list of features or by name nor is there a magazine ban. Wisconsin is also fine with its citizens owning most NFA items including suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns. There is an exception to this: the state does not allow for machine guns that fire pistol calibers and adds additional charges for their use in crimes. The sheer price of NFA items will keep this from affecting most people, but it is still a restriction on constitutional rights.
The process for buying guns in the state follows federal guidelines. Thus, the buyer should bring both a form of ID with their current address, and a form of payment to their local gun store. There, the FFL will have the buyer fill out ATF Form 4473, which functions as both a background check and a legal record of the purchase. Once the background check clears and the payment has been accepted, the buyer can leave with their new gun the same day: Wisconsin does not impose additional waiting periods.
The state of Wisconsin does not mandate that private parties who sell firearms do a background check on buyers. With that said, it is always advisable to have a signed bill of sale once the seller is sure that the buyer meets age requirements and is not a prohibited person.
Wisconsin is fairly permissive when it comes to the carriage of firearms. The state allows for the open carriage of both long guns and pistols without a permit.
The state does, however, require a permit to carry a concealed handgun. These permits are issued on a shall-issue basis. Wisconsin’s permit is also fairly widely recognized by other states.
Most states have a list of places where it is illegal to carry a firearm, and Wisconsin is no exception. The state forbids the possession or carriage of firearms in the following locations:
-
Correctional Facilities
-
Law Enforcement Facilities
-
Mental Health Institutions
-
The Wisconsin Resource Center
-
Airport Terminals
-
Courtrooms
-
Federal Property (Including Post Offices)
Lists such as this can be found in even the most permissive states. Wisconsin does its residents a solid by allowing people to legally lock their firearms in their vehicles in the parking lots of all of the above locations: this makes complying with state laws easier.
Overall, Wisconsin is somewhat permissive. There are some restrictions on NFA items, and the state does require a permit to carry a firearm concealed. With that said, the state otherwise follows federal processes for buying firearms. The restrictions that are in place will affect relatively few people, but might well signal a willingness to restrict firearm rights further. Thus, Wisconsin can be considered fairly permissive, but it isn’t one of the most permissive states when it comes to gun ownership or carriage in public places. The politics of the state can swing either way, so things might change in the future as well.
Sales Tax on Guns/Ammo in Wisconsin
The overall sales tax rate in Wisconsin is 5%, and some localities tack on an extra half-percent in additional taxes, making the effective tax rate 5.5%. This small difference makes it unlikely that shopping around for an FFL in a lower-taxed area will make much difference in terms of the overall price of a firearm or accessories in the state.
Wisconsin, like most states, does not add any additional, special taxes to the purchase of firearms, ammunition, or accessories.
More Resources:
Here are some resources that we think you’ll find useful in Wisconsin
-
The ATF maintains a listing of all FFLs within a given state, and this list is updated somewhat regularly. It can be used to find local gun stores, which are usually Type One or Type Two FFLs.
-
Wheretoshoot.org is an excellent tool for finding ranges that are convenient to you. Use the zip code, city, and mileage filters to find spots to shoot. Users can add more ranges, and the information is regularly checked for accuracy.
-
There are a number of well-rated gun stores in Wisconsin to serve the local community’s firearm needs.
-
The Wisconsin guns subreddit is fairly active and is a good place both for local information about relevant events and deals, but also for the changing political landscape in the state as well.