Buying a handgun
While the process for purchasing a handgun is not as simple as walking in to your local gun store and picking one off the shelves, no permit is required to buy one, and there are only a few steps to follow in order to take a shiny new pistol home with you. In order to buy a handgun, you must:- Be 21 or older;
- Provide state ID; and
- Have a background check performed by a licensed firearms dealer.
- Have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for over a year;
- Are a fugitive from justice;
- Illegally abuse controlled substances;
- Have been adjudicated as mentally defective or incompetent, or have been committed to a mental institution;
- Are an illegal alien;
- Are a former US citizen who has renounced his citizenship;
- Were dishonorably discharged from the US Armed Forces;
- Are subject to a restraining order; or
- Were convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Go big or go home
When you’re deciding to buy a gun, don’t chicken out and get a replica. Not only is it pretty lame, but you might be taking part in a crime! It’s actually illegal to sell or distribute “look-alike” firearms, which means any imitation of a firearm manufactured and produced after 1897, and includes toy guns, water guns, non-functioning replicas, or air-soft guns firing non-metallic projectiles. Like any law, there are exceptions, of course. Traditional bb, paintball, or pellet-firing air guns expelling projectiles through air pressure do not fall under this law. For those of you into antique firearms, not to worry! Non-firing imitation replicas of antique firearms developed before 1898 do not fall under this law, and restoration of any look-alike firearms is legal as long as you have a license to collect firearms as curios and relics.Don’t forget about long guns!
While you’re out buying a handgun, you might as well pick up a rifle to go along with it! Like with handguns, no purchase permit is required. The process for buying a long gun is almost identical to the steps for a handgun. In fact, the requirements are even less restrictive. To buy a long gun, you must:- Be 18 or older;
- Provide ID; and
- Have a background check performed by a licensed firearms dealer.
What about the children??
While you can’t legally purchase firearms if you are under 18, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun. Just make sure you follow the rules, and you can pew pew just like everyone else! A person under 18 can possess a firearm if he is:- Accompanied by a parent or guardian; and
- Target shooting or taking a firearms training course.
- They are under the supervision of a parent or guardian; and
- Are out hunting, or taking a hunter safety course.
Locked and loaded
Once you’ve got your firearms in hand, you’re ready to show them off! Wisconsin allows for open carry of firearms without any type of permit, so make sure you’ve got a holster ready the minute to pick up your new pistol! Concealed carry is handled differently in the state, however, and does require a permit, so you’ll have to go through additional steps for that. Those of you interested in getting a permit can check out our Wisconsin CCW Laws section after you finish up here to find out what you need to do to get a CCW permit, and also learn about the additional laws to be aware of when carrying concealed. No matter how you’re carrying, though, always remember it is illegal to have a firearm within 1000 feet of school grounds. Some other places, like courthouses, and jails, also prohibit firearms, regardless of open or concealed carry. Basically, if there are metal detectors at the entrance, it’s not a place for your pocket rocket.On the road again
Having your guns with you in a vehicle isn’t too different from carrying them while you’re walking around town, but you’ll need to make sure that any handguns you have must be clearly in the open. A CCW permit is required if you decide to conceal a handgun while in the vehicle if the handgun is within reach. If you want to keep your handgun in a case in the back while you’re driving to the range, or just to keep it from sliding around the front passenger’s seat, that would not require a CCW permit. Without a CCW permit, your best bet is to have your pistol clearly visible or locked away in a case. Anything else in between is just asking for trouble!
Putting your skills to use
Aside from being pretty useful at the whole hunting thing, guns are also pretty handy in self-defense situations. As a gun-friendly state, Wisconsin has both a “Castle Doctrine”, and a “Stand Your Ground” law.Defending the castle
While a man’s home is his castle, Wisconsin thinks your castle is also your motor vehicle, or place of business. This means that you are allowed to use deadly force if you reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to yourself, while at home, in your vehicle, or at your place of business. It is also important to note that as long as someone is unlawfully and forcibly entering, or already has unlawfully and forcibly entered any of these places, and you reasonably believe deadly force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm, your use of deadly force is considered justified. Any other situations would require the judge or jury to decide at trial whether it was actually reasonable.Standing your ground
Of course, bad guys don’t always wait until you’re at home, in your car, or at work to try and harm you. Luckily, Wisconsin recognizes this as well, and has a “Stand Your Ground” law. Like all “stand your ground” laws, you are essentially allowed to defend yourself, without being required to flee or retreat. Specifically, as long as you reasonably believe deadly force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily injury, it does not matter if you had an opportunity to flee or retreat before using the deadly force. However, since you aren’t at home, in your vehicle, or at your place of business in a “stand your ground” situation, you and your lawyer will have to work a little harder to show that it was reasonable for you to use deadly force in that situation. But then again, it’s better to be judged by twelve than carried by six. It’s helpful to remember that just because you do not have a duty to retreat does not mean you must engage the threat and use deadly force. Sometimes the situation may call for a retreat for the safety of yourself and others around you. Always use your best judgment when deciding to use deadly force.You made it!
That’s all you need to know about Wisconsin gun laws! Well, almost! Don’t forget to check out our Wisconsin CCW laws section too!
