Wisconsin Gun Control Laws

Arguably, the state of Wisconsin has the most stringent gun carry and possession laws in the United States.  For certain, however, is the state law that prohibits concealed carry of firearms by any private individual.  Furthermore, open carry is allowed technically, but in reality, a litany of municipal and state laws prevent open carry in most public situations and areas.  Transport of weapons even warrants careful measures.  If a weapon is not encased and unloaded inside a vehicle, driver and occupants, if applicable, may be subject to concealed weapons charges.

Furthermore, the state of Wisconsin strictly regulates minor access to firearms and other weapons.  For example, gun owners leaving a weapon within access to any individual under the age of fourteen are guilty of a misdemeanor, and any person under the age of eighteen possessing a weapon faces Class A misdemeanor charges.  Exemptions do exist, however, most notably for hunting purposes, where any individual over the age of 12 is allowed, under parental supervision, to participate in hunting or recreational activities involving only long guns, not handguns.

Carrying Guns and Possession Laws: Penalties & Regulations

Criminal code in Wisconsin is expansive on penalties and regulations for unlawful possession of a firearm.  Criminal law in Wisconsin classifies felony offenses under categories of Class A through Class I, with Class A offenses being the most severe.  As a general overview of some of the most relevant penalties and crimes, Wisconsin gun laws state:

• Convicted felon in possession of a firearm is subject to a Class G felony charge, which carries fines no more than $25,000 and incarceration for no more than 10 years.  Previous convictions for stalking, harassment, and domestic violence also prohibit firearm possession.  Moreover, given the previous felony conviction, offenders are subject to 6 additional years of incarceration.  This includes hunting weapons and pellet guns. 
• Possession and carry of concealed weapons, including any firearm, is punishable by a Class A misdemeanor, which carries penalties of up to 9 months incarceration and fines of no more than $10,000 for first time offenders.
• Possession of firearm during the commission of any other crime increases penalties in the state of Wisconsin.
• Possession of automatic weapons, silencers, suppressors, and short-barreled long guns is permitted according to the laws set forth by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.  Violations of any of these laws make defendant subject to federal weapons charges applicable to their specific violation(s).

Requirements: For Firearms Possession and Carry in the state of Wisconsin

Wisconsin Gun Purchasing Laws

Provisions for weapons purchase adhere to possession age limits and laws with other regulatory features.  Typically, a mandatory forty-eight hour waiting period exists for new weapons purchase by individuals, other than law enforcement and a few other exempted entities.  Gun purchases are also subject to federal review and approval from Department of Justice regarding criminal history and background of potential purchaser.

Penalties & Regulations for Illegal Purchases

• Private sales of weapons are not subject to the 48-hour waiting period regulations.
• Sale, loan, or lend of a firearm to individuals under the age of eighteen is punishable by a Class I felony, which carries maximum sentence of 42 months incarceration and fines of no more than $10,000.
• Sale or transfer of machine guns and short-barreled rifles is prohibited, but possession is allowed per federal regulations or other weapons grandfathered in before laws were in place.

Requirements: For Purchase of Firearms in state of Wisconsin

Firing Handguns and Self Defense in Wisconsin

Discharging a firearm within 100 yards of any dwelling without permission is illegal in Wisconsin, as well as pointing any firearm at any individual any manner.  Notable exceptions will include instances of self-defense, which according to laws in Wisconsin, only entail situations where an eminent and lethal threat exists to one’s own life, or the life of another.   

Legal Help

Individuals facing firearms offenses in Wisconsin should consult with an attorney immediately.  Typically, firearms offenses are felonies in Wisconsin, which if convicted, will result in serious restrictions on your rights, as well informal discrimination by potential future employers, which may be prohibited by affirmative action.  In many cases, incarceration is inevitable for any firearms conviction in Wisconsin, unless an experience attorney is used to represent your case.