Wisconsin residents face few restrictions when it comes to the purchase, ownership, and carrying of firearms. No permit or license is needed for handguns, rifles, or shotguns.
There is, however, a waiting period for a permit to purchase a handgun.
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Weapons dealers are required to have a buyer present identification and to complete a notification form along with an $8 fee. That information is then transferred to the Department of Justice for the purpose of a background check. A mandatory 48 hours must elapse between the time the dealer receives a background check confirmation number and the dealer’s notification that the purchase would not violate the law.
California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C., all have varying waiting periods for purchasing firearms.
Wisconsin is also an open carry state, however, it is not allowed to openly carry a weapon in a vehicle.
There are 30 other states that support open carry without a permit. They are Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Alaska, Ohio, North Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maine and North Carolina.
"The people have the right to keep and bear arms for security, defense, hunting, recreation or any other lawful purpose," according to a Wisconsin state constitutional provision.
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.
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