The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution states that all American citizens have the right to “keep and bear arms.” While many people interpret that as being an inherent right, it is treated more like a privilege throughout the country. Gun ownership laws differ from state to state, but most states have set criteria or restrictions on who can legally own a firearm and how they can be possessed. Wisconsin is an "open carry" state, meaning it is legal to carry a firearm if you are legally allowed to possess it, and it is readily visible while you are carrying it. If you conceal the firearm, you must also possess a license to carry a concealed weapon. Even if you simply want to own a gun, certain offenses may prevent you from being able to legally possess a firearm in Wisconsin, which can lead to criminal charges. Potential reasons that you may be barred from owning a gun include:

You Were Convicted of a Wisconsin Felony

It is both a federal and a state law that you cannot possess a firearm if you have been convicted of a felony. In Wisconsin, you are not permitted to own or purchase a firearm if you have been convicted of a crime such as murder, sexual assault, battery, burglary, or any other felony.

Compared to other states in the country, Wisconsin’s drunk driving or operating while intoxicated (OWI) laws are somewhat lenient. In Wisconsin, a first-time OWI offense is not subject to jail time; instead, it can result in a driver’s license suspension and a fine. Technically, a first-time OWI conviction is not a criminal offense; rather, it is a moving violation that carries a fine. Nevertheless, being charged with driving while you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious situation that can carry stiff penalties, especially if someone commits multiple offenses. Although Wisconsin OWI laws are less strict than many other states’ laws, you can still be charged with a felony OWI, depending on the circumstances.

Felony OWI Charges

In Wisconsin, an OWI charge does not become a felony until you commit your fourth offense. Prior to a fourth-offense OWI charge, you may still face jail time, including up to one year for a third OWI offense. Here are the ways you can be charged with a felony OWI in Wisconsin:

In recent years, the number of teenagers and underage young adults who drink and drive has decreased. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the total number of high school students who drink and drive has fallen by more than half since 1991. Though this number has gone down, in 2017, more than 16% of high school students reported that they had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol. Underage drinking and driving is a serious issue, because teens are already three times more likely to get into a fatal accident than adults--and alcohol only exacerbates that statistic. In many states, underage drinking and driving penalties have become more strict, including in the state of Wisconsin, where it is referred to as operating while intoxicated (OWI).

Absolute Sobriety Law

Most states have a law stating that those who are under the age of 21 are not permitted to drive if they have alcohol in their systems. In Wisconsin, drivers who are under 21 years old are not permitted to have a BAC of more than 0.00 if they are operating a motor vehicle. This is called Wisconsin’s Absolute Sobriety or “Not a Drop” law. A violation of this law will result in a $200 fine, four demerit points on an individual’s driver’s license, and a three-month driver’s license suspension.

The end of August signals the start of another school year. Any parent can become stressed or overwhelmed with the demands of the back-to-school season, but this time of year can be especially difficult for parents who are divorced. Arguments may arise over school supply shopping or emergency contact forms, and these disputes can get heated and out of hand if you let them. Co-parenting is not easy, and back-to-school time can make it even more stressful. The following tips can help you if you are recently divorced with a child who is starting school soon.

1. Figure Out Who is Paying For What

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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.