Wisconsin Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Yes. “Weapon" means a handgun, an electric weapon, or a billy club.

“Electric weapon" means any device which is designed, redesigned, used or intended to be used, offensively or defensively, to immobilize or incapacitate persons by the use of electric current.

A handgun does not include a machine gun, a short barreled rifle or a short barreled shotgun. Wis. Stat. 175.60(1)(bm).

Long guns (rifles, shotguns) may not be carried concealed.

[Wis. Stat. § 175.60(1)(j)]

Yes. Wisconsin prohibits the possession or use of an armor-piercing bullet during the commission of a crime.

[Wis. Stat. § 941.296(2)]

Yes, without a license.  Any person who is at least 18 years old and legally entitled to carry a firearm can open carry. However a concealed carry license is required to conceal a loaded handgun within reach in a vehicle.

[Wis. Stat. § 947.01][Wis. Stat. § 66.0409]

Wisconsin grants concealed carry licenses on a shall-issue basis.

[Wis. Stat. § 175.60(2)(a)]

No. Wisconsin does not limit the maximum size of handgun magazines.

Any business may prohibit individuals from entering the premises with a firearm, if the property is posted or verbal notice is given, though weapons can be stored in vehicles in parking areas. The individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy.  Handguns are prohibited from hotel taverns for anyone without a concealed carry  license, provided the licensee does not consume alcohol. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

[Wis. Stat. §§ 943.13 (1m)(c), 943.237(2), (3)(cx) and (3)(i)]

An employer may not prohibit a licensee, as a condition of employment, from carrying or storing a concealed weapon, a particular type of concealed weapon, or ammunition in the licensee’s own motor vehicle, regardless of whether the motor vehicle is used in the course of employment or whether the motor vehicle is driven or parked on property used by the employer.

[Wis. Stat. 175.60(15m)(b)]

Yes, with a Wisconsin Concealed Weapons License or a license/permit from a state that Wisconsin honors, but not in or on the grounds of a school. The Wisconsin Supreme Court on 4/10/18 ruled that a person must have a license that is valid in Wisconsin to carry a concealed loaded handgun within reach in a vehicle.

Without a license, a loaded handgun must not be concealed in any manner, including on a car seat. Based on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruling in State v. Walls (1994), in order to be considered openly carried in a vehicle, the handgun must be discernible from the ordinary observation of a person located outside and within the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. Some interpret this to mean above the window line of the vehicle.

[Wis. Stat. § 167.31][Wis. Stat. § 948.605]

Yes, but only issued to military personnel stationed in Wisconsin.

No definition of brandishing was found in Wisconsin law. However, anyone who endangers another's safety by the negligent operation or handling of a dangerous weapon, or intentionally points a firearm at or toward another shall be charged.

[Wis. Stat. § 941.20]

Whoever, in a public or private place, engages in violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly conduct under circumstances in which the conduct tends to cause or provoke a disturbance shall be charged.

[Wis. Stat. § 947.01]

No. Your Wisconsin driver’s license is not linked to your Wisconsin concealed weapons license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer (LEO) will not be notified that you are a concealed carry license holder immediately when they run your driver’s license. However, LEOs may have access to other databases where they can obtain this information.

No. Wisconsin concealed carry data is not public record.

Not while consuming or under the influence or while the person has a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood. Under the influence of an intoxicant means that the actor's ability to operate a vehicle or handle a firearm or airgun is materially impaired because of his or her consumption of an alcohol beverage, hazardous inhalant, a controlled substance, controlled substance analog, or any combination of those things.

[Wis. Stat. §§ 941.20, 941.237 and 939.22(42)]

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

No.

No. Private firearms transfers are not subject to a background check requirement, although federal and state purchaser prohibitions, including age restrictions, still apply. It is recommended that you retain any sales receipts to prove ownership of the gun.

No. Handguns do not need to be registered in Wisconsin.

No. A special permit is not required when purchasing a handgun in Wisconsin.

Moving to Wisconsin and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?Wisconsin issues license to residents and military personnel stationed in Wisconsin only. You can apply for your license to the sheriff of your county once you have a current and valid Wisconsin driver’s license or identification card.

Moving from Wisconsin and have a Wisconsin resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Wisconsin license remains valid?If a person with a Wisconsin concealed weapons license establishes residency in another state, the license expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.

To apply for a replacement license due to a name and/or address change, you can use the online system to Request a Replacement License and pay the fee. There is no charge for address changes if no new card is requested.

5 years

21 days

An applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years old;
• Provide a current and valid Wisconsin driver’s license or identification card or be active military stationed in Wisconsin;
• Provide proof that you have completed a firearms safety training course;
• Not be prohibited by a court order from possessing a firearm;
• Not have been convicted of a felony in Wisconsin or convicted of a crime elsewhere that would be a felony if convicted in Wisconsin;
• Not have been adjudicated delinquent for an act committed on or after April 21, 1994, that if committed by an adult in Wisconsin would be a felony;
• Not have been committed to treatment and ordered not to possess a firearm;
• Not have been 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; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Wisconsin.

• On school grounds of elementary schools, middle schools, junior high schools and senior high schools (except a gun that is not loaded and is encased or in a locked firearms rack that is on a motor vehicle) [Wis. Stat. § 948.605(2)];
• All universities in the University of Wisconsin system, except with the written approval of the chief administrative officer [Wis. Adm. Code UWS § 18.10(3)];

• Building that is a police station, sheriff’s office or state patrol station;
• Prison, jail, house of correction or secured correctional facility;
• Mental health facility for sexually violent persons;
• The 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;

[Wis. Stat. § 175.60(16)]

• Offices of the Wisconsin State Capitol Police or in the Supreme Court (Legislative offices throughout the Capitol can choose whether to post a sign on their door to signify that firearms are not allowed in their offices) [Weapon Policy];
• Anywhere while under the influence of an intoxicant [Wis. Stat. § 941.20(1)(b)];
• Any business, residential or non-residential property, state or local government office, college or university that is posted or where verbal notice has been given, though weapons can be stored in vehicles in parking areas [Wis. Stat. § 943.13 (1m)(c)]; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law.

One statute was identified Wisconsin, which refers to individuals concealing their identity with the intention to commit illegal acts or to specifically hide their identity. It does not address wearing a mask while legally carrying a concealed firearm. In addition, Deputy City Attorney Marci Paulson stated she doesn’t know of any statutory or regulatory prohibition that would affect a concealed carry license while complying with the order to wear a mask.

[Wis. Stat. § 939.41]

Knives are not listed as dangerous weapons in Wisconsin, so knives may be carried openly or concealed. Anyone who is prohibited from possessing a firearm is prohibited from carrying a concealed knife. Knives are prohibited at K -12 schools, which includes buildings and grounds, athletic fields, recreation areas and any other property used or operated for school administration. Local governments may also restrict the possession of knives at government facilities.

[Wis. Stat. §§ 939.22(10), 941.231 and 948.61]

Yes. No person may interfere or attempt to interfere with lawful hunting, fishing, or trapping with the intent to prevent the taking of a wild animal, or intentionally interfere with or intentionally attempt to interfere with an activity associated with lawful hunting, fishing, or trapping.

[Wis. Stat. § 29.083]