Gun Laws in Wisconsin

Subject/Law	Long Guns	Hand Guns	Relevant Statutes	Notes
State permit required to purchase?	No	No	Wis. Stat. § 175.35	A purchaser is prohibited from receiving a handgun from a FFL dealer until they’ve been approved through the state de-facto permitting scheme which is to pay a State background check fee to the state DOJ for it to conduct an additional background check (over and above the Federal 4473).
Firearm registration?	No	No
Assault weapon law?	No	No
Magazine capacity restriction?	No	No
Owner license required?	No	No
Permit required for concealed carry?	N/A	Yes	Wis. Stat. § 175.60 Wis. Stat. § 941.23	Wisconsin is a "shall issue" state for citizens and lawful permanent residents who are 21 years or older.
Permit required for open carry?	No	No	Wis. Stat. § 947.01	May carry openly without permit.
Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground law?	Yes	Yes	Wis. Stat. § 895.62 Wis. Stat. § 939.48
State preemption of local restrictions?	Yes	Yes	Wis. Stat. § 66.0409
NFA weapons restricted?	No	No	Wis. Stat. § 941.27	Machine guns may not shoot pistol cartridges and may not be possessed aggressively or offensively.
Peaceable Journey laws?	No	No	Wis. Stat. § 167.31
Background checks required for private sales?	No	No

Gun Laws by State: Wisconsin

Understanding Gun Laws in Wisconsin

In the state of Wisconsin, understanding the gun laws can be a bit complex. This article aims to break down these laws in a way that's easy to understand, even if you're not a legal expert. Let's dive in.

State Permit for Purchase

Firstly, it's important to note that Wisconsin does not require a state permit to purchase either long guns or handguns. However, according to Wis. Stat. § 175.35, a purchaser is prohibited from receiving a handgun from a Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer until they’ve been approved through the state de-facto permitting scheme. This involves paying a State background check fee to the state Department of Justice for it to conduct an additional background check, over and above the Federal 4473.

Firearm Registration

When it comes to firearm registration, Wisconsin has no requirements for either long guns or handguns. This means that once you've legally purchased a firearm, you are not required to register it with the state.

Assault Weapon Law and Magazine Capacity Restrictions

Wisconsin does not have an assault weapon law or magazine capacity restrictions. This means that there are no specific laws governing the possession, purchase, or use of assault weapons or high-capacity magazines.

Owner License

There is no requirement for a gun owner license in Wisconsin. This means that you do not need a specific license to own a firearm in the state.

Concealed Carry Permit

While there is no permit required for open carry in Wisconsin, a permit is required for concealed carry of handguns. According to Wis. Stat. § 175.60 and Wis. Stat. § 941.23, Wisconsin is a "shall issue" state for citizens and lawful permanent residents who are 21 years or older. This means that the state must issue a concealed carry permit to any individual who meets the legal requirements.

Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground Law

Wisconsin has a Castle Doctrine or Stand Your Ground law in place, as per Wis. Stat. § 895.62 and Wis. Stat. § 939.48. This law allows individuals to use force, including deadly force, to protect themselves against an intruder in their home, vehicle, or place of business.

State Preemption of Local Restrictions

Wisconsin has a state preemption of local restrictions, according to Wis. Stat. § 66.0409. This means that local governments cannot enact gun laws that are stricter than state law.

NFA Weapons Restrictions

There are no restrictions on National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons in Wisconsin. However, according to Wis. Stat. § 941.27, machine guns may not shoot pistol cartridges and may not be possessed aggressively or offensively.

Peaceable Journey Laws

Wisconsin does not have peaceable journey laws. This means that there are no specific protections for individuals transporting firearms through the state.

Background Checks for Private Sales

Finally, Wisconsin does not require background checks for private sales of firearms. This means that private sellers are not required to conduct a background check on the buyer.

In conclusion, while Wisconsin's gun laws may seem complex, they can be understood with a bit of study. Always remember to follow these laws to ensure that you are using and owning firearms responsibly and legally.