Guns can be dangerous and downright deadly weapons in the hands of some people. Even if you do not mean any harm, firearms are capable of serious injuries. Just recently, two separate firearm-related incidents resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to two Wisconsin residents. One woman accidentally shot herself in the leg after illegally carrying her firearm inside of a waterpark and attempting to store it in the trunk of her car. Police state she may be facing charges for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. The other incident occurred when a man tried to shoot a woodchuck that was on his property, but missed and ended up hitting a nearby 80-year-old golfer. That is why it is imperative that Wisconsin gun owners understand the laws pertaining to the possession and carry of firearms in order to avoid serious criminal charges. 

Wisconsin Gun Laws

There are reasons why laws are created and enacted -- there was a need for them. Laws concerning firearms are always highly debated for their constitutionality and Wisconsin is rather liberal when it comes to firearm ownership, compared to other states. However, Wisconsin does have some laws that specifically prohibit certain kinds of behavior from firearm owners:

One of the things that makes the United States different from many other countries is that there are provisions guaranteeing citizens the right to own firearms written in the country’s Constitution. Even so, each state is allowed the freedom to create its own laws pertaining to firearms and other weapons. This has led to a disparity across states regarding what is and is not legal when it comes to firearm ownership and possession. Not only do you have to follow state laws, but you must also follow federal laws. Violating any state or federal firearms laws can result in serious charges that can carry stiff penalties. If you are a Wisconsin gun owner, the following are a few things you should know.

Requirements for Firearm Possession in Wisconsin

If you are a resident of Wisconsin, there are certain requirements you must meet before you can legally own and possess a firearm. Wisconsin law states that firearm owners:

Gun laws have been a hot topic for lawmakers and other government officials for the past couple of years. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 261 mass shootings (defined as incidents in which four or more people are shot or killed) in the United States so far in 2019. In the wake of the latest mass shootings in Texas and Ohio, which killed 22 and 10 people respectively, Wisconsin lawmakers have been discussing the possibility of new gun laws. The proposed legislation includes bills to make universal background checks a requirement, along with the implementation of red-flag laws.

Current Background Check Requirements

Federal law currently dictates that all people purchasing guns from licensed dealers must complete a background check. This does not include guns that are sold from person to person or guns that are purchased at gun shows. The new law proposing expanded background checks would require a background check to be completed for almost all gun sales or transfers, except for sales or transfers to a firearms dealer, law enforcement, or armed service agencies.

The state of Wisconsin has had a long relationship with firearms. Since Wisconsin was admitted to the United States and the Constitution of Wisconsin was adopted in 1848, citizens have been given the right to “keep and bear arms for security, defense, hunting, recreation or any other lawful purpose.” In Wisconsin, both open carry and concealed carry are legal, although they both have different requirements. Concealed carry requires a person to have a permit, while open carry does not. Not knowing open carry laws can result in weapons charges, which is why it is important to know the laws before you carry.

Wisconsin Gun Laws

The state of Wisconsin is an open carry state, meaning you are legally permitted to carry a loaded weapon in public. Open carry does not require a permit or license to legally do so. A person is considered to be openly carrying a gun if the gun is in plain view while you are in public. If the gun is hidden from ordinary view, then it is considered to be concealed and you must have a permit to legally carry the firearm. You must also be at least 18 years old to openly carry a gun in Wisconsin.

The United States Constitution gives American citizens the right to own and bear arms. While this right is granted to all citizens, states have enacted restrictions that can prohibit you from owning or carrying a firearm. Although the Constitution states it is a right to own a gun, most states look at it as a privilege that can be revoked. 

Many people who own firearms have concealed carry weapon (CCW) licenses so they can protect their family, friends, and communities if needed, but in Wisconsin, some offenses can cause you to lose the privilege of carrying a concealed weapon.