Cecily Zamora
The gun laws in the United States are constantly evolving, with states making significant legislative changes that impact the rights of individuals to bear arms. One question that frequently arises is whether Wisconsin has a constitutional carry law. As of 2025, Wisconsin does not have a constitutional carry law in place. However, the concept of constitutional carry, where citizens can carry a concealed firearm without a permit, has gained traction in various states. Wisconsin allows open carry without a permit for those over 18, but a permit is required for open carry of a loaded handgun in a vehicle. Wisconsin passed a law in 2011 allowing licensed individuals to carry a concealed firearm in public. The state also has provisions for reciprocity agreements with other states regarding licenses to carry concealed weapons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Constitutional carry law in place | No |
| Open carry | Allowed for those over 18 without a permit |
| Open carry in a vehicle | Allowed only with a permit |
| Concealed carry | Allowed with a CCW permit |
| Concealed carry for non-residents | Allowed with a license/permit from a state that Wisconsin honors |
| Concealed carry for military personnel | Allowed |
| Concealed carry for non-residents over 21 | Allowed with a CCW license or permit from a state that requires a background check comparable to Wisconsin's |
| Concealed carry reciprocity agreements | Allowed with states that require a background check comparable to Wisconsin's |
| Concealed carry in one's own dwelling, place of business, or leased/occupied land | Allowed without a license |
| Concealed carry license validity | 5 years |
| Concealed carry license renewal | Background check required, no further firearms safety training or testing required |
| Concealed carry license application qualifications | Firearms training course completion, other criteria |
| Concealed carry license issuance | Required by the Wisconsin Department of Justice if the applicant meets qualifications |
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What You'll Learn
Wisconsin does not have a constitutional carry law
In 2011, Wisconsin passed a law allowing licensed individuals to carry a concealed firearm in public. This law also allows individuals to carry a concealed firearm in their own dwelling, place of business, or on land they own, lease, or legally occupy without a license. To obtain a Wisconsin Concealed Weapons License (CWL), applicants must be 21 or older and have completed a firearms training course. Wisconsin honors permits from states with which it has reciprocity agreements, as well as states that require comparable background checks.
Open carry is legal for anyone over the age of 18, although a permit is required when carrying a loaded handgun in a vehicle. Wisconsin's gun laws are constantly evolving, and the state's historical roots in gun rights are deeply embedded in its culture. While there is a push for constitutional carry in Wisconsin, it is important to note that the concept of constitutional carry does not require states to issue concealed-carry licenses, and it remains to be seen whether Wisconsin will adopt such legislation.
The debate surrounding constitutional carry in Wisconsin touches on personal freedoms, public safety, and the interpretation of the Second Amendment. Some argue that the Second Amendment grants citizens the right to keep and bear arms without restriction. However, opponents of constitutional carry emphasize the importance of training and safety, stating that permitless carry could compromise public safety.
As of 2024, Wisconsin has not enacted constitutional carry, and individuals are still required to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm in public.
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Concealed carry is legal with a CCW permit
As of 2025, Wisconsin does not have a constitutional carry law in place. However, concealed carry is legal with a CCW permit. CCW stands for "carrying a concealed weapon", and a CCW permit allows the holder to carry a concealed firearm in public. Wisconsin gun laws operate at the state level, with CCW licenses issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
To obtain a CCW permit in Wisconsin, applicants must meet certain requirements. Firstly, applicants must be residents or military personnel stationed in Wisconsin, and they must be 21 years of age or older. Additionally, applicants must have completed a firearms training course and meet other criteria, such as not being prohibited from possessing a firearm under state and federal laws.
Wisconsin also has reciprocity agreements with other states, meaning it will honor CCW permits from these states. To carry a concealed weapon in Wisconsin, non-residents must have a license or permit from a state that Wisconsin honors. It's important to note that Wisconsin does not require a permit, background check, or firearms registration when buying a handgun from a private individual.
For former law enforcement officers, there are additional considerations. Wisconsin RLEOs (retired law enforcement officers) may request a certification card from their former law enforcement employer, allowing them to carry a concealed handgun. This process involves submitting an application to the Wisconsin Department of Justice (WisDOJ) or the Division of Law Enforcement Services (DLES), depending on the officer's former agency.
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Open carry is legal for those over 18
As of 2025, Wisconsin does not have a constitutional carry law in place. However, Wisconsin allows open carry without a permit for those over the age of 18, as long as they are not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state and federal laws. A permit is required while open carrying a loaded handgun in a vehicle, as carrying a loaded handgun "within reach" constitutes carrying as per the Concealed Carry Act.
The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution grants citizens the right to keep and bear arms, a principle that resonates strongly in Wisconsin. In 2011, Wisconsin enacted a law allowing individuals with a valid concealed carry license to carry concealed firearms in public. This law also allows individuals to carry concealed firearms in their own dwellings, places of business, or on land they own, lease, or legally occupy, even without a license.
Wisconsin law requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to maintain a computerized record listing the names and other information about licensees. The DOJ must also issue a license to carry a concealed weapon if the applicant meets certain qualifications. Wisconsin will honor permits from states with reciprocity agreements and states that require comparable background checks. Non-residents with a license/permit from a state that Wisconsin honors can also carry concealed weapons.
While Wisconsin does not have a constitutional carry law, some states do. For example, Vermont has never had any provision for issuing concealed-carry licenses, and residents must acquire a license from another state to carry handguns in other states. In 2022, Alabama eliminated the requirement to obtain a permit to carry a concealed or loaded pistol in a vehicle. Montana also allows the permitless carry of firearms for anyone 18 or older.
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Wisconsin's firearm regulations for residents and visitors
Wisconsin is a shall-issue state, meaning that concealed carry weapons (CCW) licenses are issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The state allows both resident and non-resident licenses. Wisconsin has not enacted or repealed any major gun safety policies in recent years.
Open carry is legal for any person aged 18 or older, provided they are not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state and federal laws. For concealed carry, a Wisconsin Concealed Weapons License (CWL) is required for residents, while non-residents must have a license/permit from a state that Wisconsin honors. CWLs are only issued to Wisconsin residents and military personnel stationed in the state. Applicants must be aged 21 or older and have completed a firearms training course, among other criteria. Wisconsin honors permits from states with which it has reciprocity agreements, as well as states that require comparable background checks.
For non-residents, a current or expired concealed carry license from another state that has not been revoked is accepted. Alternatively, small arms training in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard, or a certification letter from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board, are also acceptable.
Wisconsin does not have a "Shoot First" law in place. It requires firearms to be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition in certain circumstances. The state prohibits devices that alter the trigger mechanisms of semi-automatic pistols and rifles, as well as replacement shoulder stocks for semi-automatic rifles. New handgun models must have childproofing features, and all gun dealers must obtain a state license. Ghost gun parts cannot be sold without serial numbers and a background check.
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The Second Amendment and its application in Wisconsin
The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution grants citizens the right to keep and bear arms. While this principle is deeply rooted in Wisconsin's history, the application of this right has evolved over time, particularly with the passage of laws regulating how firearms can be carried and used.
Wisconsin does not currently have a constitutional carry law in place. This means that, unlike some other states, Wisconsin does require a permit for individuals to carry a concealed firearm. To obtain a Wisconsin Concealed Weapons License (CWL), applicants must be 21 or older, have completed a firearms training course, and meet other criteria. Open carry, on the other hand, is legal for anyone 18 or older who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state and federal laws.
The lack of a constitutional carry law in Wisconsin has been a subject of debate, with proponents arguing for the right to bear arms without restrictions and opponents raising concerns about public safety. The state's gun laws continue to evolve, with legislative changes impacting the rights of individuals to carry firearms.
In 2024, Wisconsin Republicans proposed a bill to make the state a "'Second Amendment Sanctuary," seeking to exempt it from certain federal gun laws. The bill included instructions for its defence in court, citing the Second, Ninth, and Tenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Wisconsin Constitution. This bill, if signed into law, would have significant implications for gun regulation in the state, including the inability to enforce certain federal gun laws and a requirement for guns made in Wisconsin to be stamped as such.
While the bill represented a push for expanded gun rights in Wisconsin, it's important to note that there are also legal processes in place to restore Second Amendment rights for individuals who have been denied the ability to purchase firearms or obtain concealed carry permits. These processes can involve correcting errors in application processes or addressing prior convictions, with varying levels of complexity.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Wisconsin does not have a constitutional carry law in place.
Wisconsin requires a license to carry a concealed weapon. The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) must issue a license to carry a concealed weapon if the applicant meets certain qualifications. A Wisconsin license to carry a concealed weapon is valid for 5 years.
Applicants must be 21 or older and have completed a firearms training course. The Wisconsin law also allows an individual to carry a concealed firearm in their own dwelling, place of business, or on land that they own, lease, or legally occupy, even without a license.
Yes, there have been proposals to introduce a constitutional carry law in Wisconsin. In 2024, Republicans proposed a bill to allow concealed carry without a permit, which was met with opposition from Democrats citing concerns about public safety and the importance of training and safety regulations.
