Wisconsin Gun & Ammo Laws: A 2nd Amendment Overview for Wisconsin Gun Owners

PLEASE NOTE: The laws which impact Wisconsin gun owners are subject to frequent change at the local, state, and federal level so it's wise to consult an attorney or your local law enforcement agency before making any final firearms-related decisions. Our official policy on shipping ammo to Wisconsin can be found here, whereas the information below is meant as a reference point only.

Wisconsin State Constitution

The people have the right to keep and bear arms for security, defense, hunting, recreation or any other lawful purpose.

Wisconsin Constitutional Provision Article I, Section 25: Right to keep and bear arms.

Other provisions relating to the power of the people over government:

All people are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights; among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; to secure these rights, governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Wisconsin Constitutional Provision Article I, Section 1: Equality; inherent rights.

The right of the people peaceably to assemble, to consult for the common good, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, shall never be abridged.

Wisconsin Constitutional Provision Article I, Section 4: Right to assemble and petition.

Wisconsin Gun Laws

Wisconsin Gun Laws Overview (Source: NRA-ILA)
Wisconsin Concealed Carry (CCW) Overview (Source: HandgunLaw.us)
Wisconsin Concealed Carry Weapons Application (Source: Wisconsin Department of Justice)
Wisconsin FAQ Concealed Carry (Source: Wisconsin Department of Justice)

Wisconsin Hunting Rules & Regulations

Hunting In Wisconsin (Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
Wisconsin Hunting Regulations and Hours (Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
Wisconsin "Go Wild" Online Licenses (Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
Wisconsin Safety Education Courses (Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)

Wisconsin Shooting Ranges

Wisconsin Public Shooting Range Locations (Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
NSSF-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NSSF's WhereToShoot.org)
NRA-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NRA.org)

Wisconsin Competitive Shooting Clubs & Matches

IDPA Clubs (Source: IDPA.com)
IDPA Matches (Source: IDPA.com)
USPSA Clubs (Source: USPSA.org)
USPSA Matches (Source: USPSA.org)
USA Shooting Clubs (Source: USAShooting.org)
USA Shooting Matches (Source: USAShooting.org)
4-H Shooting Sports State Contacts (Source: 4-HShootingSports.org)

Wisconsin NRA Training Courses & Fundraising Events

Wisconsin NRA-Affiliated Training Courses (Source: NRA.org)
Wisconsin "Friends of NRA" Events & News (Source: FriendsofNRA.org)

Wisconsin State Firearm & Hunting Associations

Wisconsin FORCE (NRA-Affiliated)
Safari Club International Wisconsin Chapter (SCI-Affiliated)
Safari Club International Northeast Wisconsin Chapter (SCI-Affiliated)
Wisconsin Students for Concealed Carry (Source: ConcealedCampus.org)
Wisconsin Civilian Marksmanship Program (Source: TheCMP.org)
Wisconsin NRA-Affiliated State Association (Source: NRA.org)
Wisconsin Safari Club Affiliated State Association (Source: SafariClub.org)

Wisconsin Gun Shows and FFLs

Wisconsin Gun & Knife Shows (Source: GunShows-USA.com)
Wisconsin FFL Holders (Source: FFLGunDealers.net)
NICS Firearm Checks by State (Source: FBI.gov)

Wisconsin's Yearly Ranking for Gun-Friendly States

Wisconsin Elected Public Officials

Congressional (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Gubernatorial (Source: VoteSmart.org)
State Legislature (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Statewide Officials (Source: VoteSmart.org)
NRA's Ranking of Wisconsin Public Officials (Source: NRA-PVF.org)

Wisconsin Public Finances and Personal & Economic Freedom Rankings

Wisconsin State Checkbook (Source: Open The Books)
Wisconsin State Employees (Source: Open The Books)
Wisconsin Personal & Economic Freedom Ranking (Source: CATO Institute)
Wisconsin Civil Asset Forfeiture (aka "Policing For Profit") Ranking (Source: Institute for Justice)

Wisconsin State Business Tax Climate Rankings

Wisconsin State Business Tax Climate Rank (Source: Tax Foundation)
Taxes in Wisconsin (Source: Tax Foundation)

Firearm Background Check Data

Background check types

The transaction types Permit, Permit Recheck, Handgun, Long Gun, Other, Multiple and Admin on the chart are for background checks initiated by an officially-licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or criminal justice/law enforcement agency prior to the issuance of a firearm-related permit or transfer.

Multiple indicates a background check where more than one type of firearm is associated to a single background check.

Admin indicates the administrative checks that are for other authorized uses of the NICS.

Pre-Pawn background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees seeking to pledge or pawn a firearm.

Redemption background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to regain possession of a firearm after pledging or pawning a firearm as security at a pawn shop.

Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Return to Seller-Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Best Gun-Friendly States Ranking

Overall Freedom Ranking

Business Tax Climate Rankings

Gun and Ammo Laws by State

Popular Ammo Calibers and Brands

223 Ammo 7.62x39 Ammo 9mm Ammo 45 ACP Ammo 22 LR Ammo 12 Gauge Ammo 5.56x45 Ammo 308 Win Ammo 40 S&W Ammo 380 ACP Ammo 38 Spl Ammo 357 Mag Ammo