WISCONSIN GUN LAWS
The Latest Guide
Wisconsin gun laws operate at the state level with concealed weapons licenses being issued by the Department of Justice. Licenses are only issued to residents of the state with no options for a non-resident to obtain a license. There are no firearm registration requirements or laws limiting the capacity of magazines or any requirement for background checks on private gun sales. In Wisconsin open carry is legal for any person that is 18 years or older and not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state and federal laws.
Wisconsin CCW Quick Facts
Wisconsin CCW Reciprocity
How Reciprocity Works in Wisconsin
Wisconsin will honor all non-resident permits from the states they honor provided the holder of the permit is at least 21 years old. More information on reciprocity can be found at the state website.
Wisconsin Reciprocity State's
- Virginia – Wisconsin will not honor the Virginia Resident Permit/License only their Non Resident Permit/License.
- Missouri – Only licenses issued/renewed on or after 8/28/13 are honored in Wisconsin.
- Ohio – Only Permits Issued/renewed on or after March 23, 2015 are honored in Wisconsin.
- Massachusetts – Only Honors the Class A Massachusetts Permit.
- South Dakota – Wisconsin Only Honors the Enhanced and Gold Licenses.
Wisconsin Pistol License
Wisconsin Issue Policy
License Issued To
- Wisconsin CWL Weapons License Requirements
- Wisconsin CWL Weapons License Application
- Wisconsin CWL Weapons License Renewal
- Wisconsin CWL Weapons License Fee's
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Applicant can provide adequate proof of training
- Applicant is not prohibited by a court order from possessing a firearm
- Applicant is a Wisconsin resident as indicated by a current and valid Wisconsin driver's license or identification card or is active military stationed in Wisconsin.
- You have not been convicted of a felony in Wisconsin
- You have not been convicted of a crime elsewhere that would be a felony if convicted in Wisconsin.
- You have not been adjudicated delinquent for an act committed on or after April 21, 1994, that if committed by an adult in this state would be a felony.
- You have not been committed to treatment and ordered not to possess a firearm.
- You have not found not guilty or not responsible for a crime elsewhere that would be a felony in this state by reason of insanity or mental illness, disease or defect.
- You have not been adjudicated delinquent for an act committed on or after April 21, 1994, that if committed by an adult in this state would be a felony.
- Federal Law Requirements
Wisconsin CWL Forms
Download Your Forms
Wisconsin: Places Off-Limits for CWL
Places Off-Limits in Wisconsin
- Building that is a police station, sheriff’s office, state patrol station.
- Prison, jail, house of correction, or secured correctional facility.
- Secure mental health facility for sexually violent Persons.
- Wisconsin Resource Center.
- Secured unit of a mental health institute, including a facility designated as the Maximum Security Facility at Mendota Mental Health Institute.
- County, state, or federal courthouse.
- Municipal courtroom if court is in session.
- Beyond a security checkpoint in an airport.
- School grounds or within 1000 feet of a school. This applies to elementary school, middle school, junior high school, senior high school, or high school- public or private. You can be within 1000ft of a school if you have a CCW license.
- Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.
Places Allowed in Wisconsin
- State parks
- State and national forests
- Road side rest areas
- Vehicle
- All areas of the state - except those listed as off limits
Pointers: Wisconsin Gun Laws
Wisconsin Concealed Carry Laws
Wisconsin Gun Laws To Know
Wisconsin Off-Limit Statutes
Other Wisconsin Statutes
Other Gun Laws in Wisconsin
Wisconsin CCW FAQ's
Wisconsin CWL Contact
Wisconsin Department of Justice
Hours
Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Contact
Address 17 W. Main St.
CityMadison, WI 53703
Phone (608) 266-1221
Comments
Regarding this website…The reciprocity map for WI shows MN as red, indicating WI does not honor a MN Permit to Carry. Below that, it lists 42 states that WI does in fact honor, and MN is in fact listed there. These two items contradict each other. Can anyone clarify whether WI honors a MN Permit to Carry? Thank you.
Replying to my own comment. I reread the page and I may have misinterpreted it. Looks like the map shows what OTHER states honor or don’t honor a WI permit, and MN is one that does not.
The red states don’t accept a WI license. WI accepts theirs though
we have heard that if you have a virus mask on you cannot have a concealed carry weapon on you even a cc permit?
WI resident & permit holder here. That is nonsense.
So you can open carry on a motorcycle?
It’s only been 37 days since I applied for my cwl. I cant wait until day 21 comes by! There is nothing on my end that would hold them back from approving me…
So I’m a felon I work at a car dealership and the tool truck guys do raffles all the time. I got entered into a gun raffle by paying my tool truck account every week and I won can my brother claim the gun? I don’t want the gun or anything , but would rather have it go to my brother or step father as they are legally allowed to own them can one of them claim the raffle win? Im just wondering if there’s any legal issues in Wisconsin that could get them or me in trouble if they claim it?
CAn i go to a nonfriendly state but unload my handgun and lock it in its case with a wi ccw?
I had an involuntary stay at a behavioral clinic for alcoholism a few months ago, they never said anything to me about firearms but am I no longer allowed to purchase/own one? If so, can this be expunged? I’ve been perfectly fine for a while now
I am not a lawyer but the law seems to say that if your not currently addicted to drugs or alcohol you should be alright. I would give your sobriety a little longer and make sure you are completely sober… And you should be alright. Just take it seriously and don’t ever mix alcohol and carrying a gun. Hope that helps.
Your best bet might be to call the Wisconsin doj or local police just to ask if your ok to own a firearm. Quite a few people are in your position. It’s better to know for sure than break the law. There is nothing wrong with asking!
The only thing I’m unsure about is the involuntary commitment. If it was voluntetsry I think your alright… But I’m not sure about an involuntary.
Can you have a hand gun on your side in a parking lot or anywhere on the property of a dmv office if not inside the building?
Can my neighbor shoot his BB gun outside his condo unit at deer?
Can i openly carry a loaded handgun in my vehicle while the engine is running?
From what I read, you cannot open carry in your vehicle unless you have a CCW License. But also, you can open carry in a vehicle if your handgun is unloaded (The weapon is unloaded by not having a round in the chamber also the magazine is not in the handgun itself) hope this helps
Right it’s concealed at that point
Any loaded weapon in a vehicle is considered concealed. Whether it is in the glove box, on the seat, on the dash. In the vehicle loaded it is concealed. Fortunatley unlock some states it does not have to be on your person. I carry mine in a tac pack and then holster it when i get out of my truck
Wrong. Did you read the statute?
https://www.gunstocarry.com/gun-laws-state/wisconsin-gun-laws/#comment-6295
To the famelies of Abby Perlman, Brette Polin and Jonny Lichtenstein your children got involved in dangerous business with crazy CBS anchor Otis Livingston to steal money from some pr companies becareful if we will catch them they will go to jail !!!!!!!!!!
To the famelies of Abby Perlman, Brette Polin and Jonny Lichtenstein your children got involved in dangerous business with crazy CBS anchor Otis Livingston to steal money from some pr companies becareful if we will catch them they will go to jail !!!!!!!!!!
I was reading the new law passed in April of 2018 on hand guns in your vehicle and cant be within 1,000 feet of a school, how is that possible, if your in your car picking up your kid, u are within 1,000 feet.
Ok, back on April 9 2016. I had a temporary domestic abuse restraining order that was changed to harassment restraining order for 4 years. Am I able to get a concealed weapon carry in Wisconsin.
Can I carry my TAC 14 loaded and concealed in my truck? It’s not a shoutgun, and follows the same paper work as a handgun.
I have an Arizona conceal carry permit but live in wisconsin. Am I legally allowed to conceal carry in wisconsin?
yes i am very sure since Wisconsin honors an Arizona permit.
Yes because Wisconsin honors ur states permit but u should have a Wisconsin permit if ur a resident of the state
You can in fact do your training online. I took a hunter safety course online and that was used to apply for my CCW.
I was just gifted a glock 19 and own a outside belt holster for it, I am also in the army but not 21, am i able to open carry my handgun as long as it is visible, or do i have to be 21 to open carry a pistol?
“Open carry is legal without a permit/license if you are at least 18 years old and allowed to possess a firearm. However, if you want to openly carry a handgun in a vehicle you will need a CWL license.“
Legal or not with open carry thing. You really just don’t want to be that guy though. Highly recommend against it.
I have had my CCL for some time now. Shortly after I took the course I was informed of a different course that was available that stated”carry in any state”. I know that yes, the course I took didn’t make us actually fire the weapon, just load and unload the weapon. What am I missing here? How would my CCL look/be any different?
This is what it is .In wi u dont do a live fire exercise …..
So mn does not except your permit. u have to live fire in MN to get your permit.
So u go take a class in MN do a live fire course and pass it. than apply in any county of MN since your not a resident ….
Residents of Mn can only go to sheriff Dept in the county they live .
Bam they approve your application
U now have mn and all the states that have reciprocity with them. I would look up Chandler’s conceal and carry courses of Minnesota
Can a Wisconsin felon visit a home that has guns
That woman was walking out the door. She was not a threat to anyone.
I watch the video when you can use a firearm. That woman was walking out the door and she wasn’t a threat. That’s some bullsit.
When she dropped a crowbar he fired. Thought she was attacking.
So may i open carry a loaded handgun in my car?
Tldr: not without a concealed carry permit
(2) Prohibitions; motorboats and vehicles; highways and roadways.
(a) Except as provided in sub. (4), no person may place, possess, or transport a firearm, bow, or crossbow in or on a motorboat with the motor running, unless one of the following applies:
The firearm is unloaded or is a handgun.
The bow does not have an arrow nocked.
The crossbow is not cocked or is unloaded and enclosed in a carrying case.
(b) Except as provided in sub. (4), no person may place, possess, or transport a firearm, bow, or crossbow in or on a vehicle, unless one of the following applies:
The firearm is unloaded or is a handgun.
The bow does not have an arrow nocked.
The crossbow is not cocked or is unloaded and enclosed in a carrying case.
(c) Except as provided in sub. (4), no person may load a firearm, other than a handgun, in a vehicle or discharge a firearm or shoot a bolt or an arrow from a bow or crossbow in or from a vehicle.
(g) “Unloaded” means any of the following:
Having no shell or cartridge in the chamber of a firearm or in the magazine attached to a firearm.
In the case of a cap lock muzzle−loading firearm, having the cap removed.
In the case of a flint lock muzzle−loading firearm, having the flashpan cleaned of powder.
Does WI recognize a MN carry permit?
Yes
Can correctional officers conceal carry in Wisconsin without a ccw permit?
Not unless they’re in the line of duty.
Could anybody tell me if I can transport my unloaded long gun in the front seat with the loaded magazine next to it? I went down to my city hall to get information but they told me that my long gun MUST be in a locked case, which is simply not true. . Seems dangerous for police officers to go around enforcing the law when they don’t even know the law themselves. Especially gun laws..
Of course some officers do not know/understand the law, I do not pretend to understand it all. Having said that, my understanding is the legal definition of unloaded states: “Unloaded” means any of the following:
Having no shell or cartridge in the chamber of a firearm or in the magazine attached to a firearm.
In the case of a cap lock muzzle−loading firearm, having the cap removed.
In the case of a flint lock muzzle−loading firearm, having the flashpan cleaned of powder.
therefore my understanding of the law would be that if the detachable magazine is not attached, it is unloaded and therefore legal in the configuration described
Ok, there are some things that need to be updated.
1. Handgun Training
You are required to provide proof that you have completed a firearms safety training course. The following documents will be accepted; – This is only true, if you are planning on getting your CCL. You can open carry a handgun without a permit. Also, you don’t have “training” as in shooting. You sit through a 4-6 hour class, get a certificate, then submit the application online.
2. School grounds or within 1000 feet of a school. – This applies to places you REASONABLY believe are schools. Public or private. Also, you can be within 1000 feet of a school if you have your CCW permit. Likewise, if you are 1000ft from a school on private property, you don’t need any permit.
3. The Wisconsin Supreme Court on 4/10/18 ruled that a person must have a permit that is valid in Wisconsin to carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle. – This isn’t true. They ruled to have one in your GLOVE box, you have to have a CCL. The handgun must be visible as in open carry visibly, if you don’t.
4. Open carry is legal without a permit/license if you are at least 18 years old and allowed to possess a firearm. However, if you want to openly carry a handgun in a vehicle you will need a CWL license. – This is incorrect. See point 3.
5. Wisconsin gun laws give the force of law to “No Weapons” signs – This only applies to signs that are at least 5″x7″. It has to clearly identify the type of gun/carry that isn’t allowed. Example: There are a lot of “No Beretta” signs that just so a gun icon with a “no” symbol through it. Regardless of sizes, all that legally enforces is that you cannot carry that particular gun. It has to be clear.
6. In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol – Anyone can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol. Even if it has a bar. HOWEVER, if you want to go into a bar/tavern establishment (specifically a place that makes more than 51% of its revenue from alcohol sales), you have to have a CCL. Also, if you have a CCL, you cannot be drinking.
7. There is no constitutional carry in Wisconsin although attempts to make it legal have been made. – Yes, you can constitutionally carry guns open.
Thanks for pointing that out Mathew, we appreciate readers letting us know if there is an error. We will go through your points and correct everything.
Have made corrections, let us know if you spot any other errors, thanks.
I have a CCW in Indiana which has reciprocity with WI. Can I still carry a loaded gun in the vehicle? On my person or in the glove box?
I think it states clearly above that if you have a valid CCW recognized in Wisconsin, then yes, you can carry loaded in the vehicle.
should be “What if I lose my license?” not “loose”
Thanks, have changed that.
I live in WI. TX will honor our permits. I travel to Dallas on business regularly. I called both State PD as well as county n local…all referred me to DA office…DA stated they would not prosecute those charges if permit is in good standing. I got pulled over just outside of Dallas I was carrying in shoulder holster under suit coat. I made officer aware n he laughed n said long as u don’t pull it on me idc if u got permit or not. TX DOJ stated it’s too much papers to file recip so it’s more of non prosecution agreement
This is not true. TX does not have reciprocity with WI.
I have driven to TX, so I looked up their lows. WI recognizes TX permits, but TX does not recognize WI permits.
It doesn’t matter what cop you spoke to, cops are notoriously misinformed with CCW laws.
Texas recognizes any license to carry from any state and you can legally carry a loaded hand gun and or rifle in your vehicle, no permit needed. You do need a permit to legally carry a hand gun in public either concealed or open in Texas, but your car is considered an extension of your “home” as it should be anywhere. Not sure where you got your information but it is completely wrong. I was a Texas resident for 12 years and worked with both the Military and Law Enforcement.
My name is Scott Bailey,I am a legal CCW holder in Florida.I need to transport a handgun across the state of Wisconsin in my motor vehicle.What do I do?
Thank you,
Scott Bailey
Please go to our reciprocity page (under resources) and look at the firearm owners protection Act and section on travel tips, you are covered if you follow the guidelines