How to Buy a Gun in Wisconsin

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 18, 2023 References Approved

Buying a gun is a straightforward process in Wisconsin. Although the purchaser of a handgun must submit to a federally required background check, there are no additional requirements to purchase a gun. Wisconsin does allow open carry, but also allows concealed carry with a permit. With a good knowledge of the purchasing and permitting process, a Wisconsin resident should be able to buy a gun with no trouble at all.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Purchasing a Handgun in Wisconsin

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Select the handgun you wish to purchase. Ask for assistance from a dealer if necessary. When purchasing a handgun, you should take several factors into account, including:
- Decide on the intended use for the handgun. A range gun—or a gun primarily used for recreation at the gun range—is different than a concealed carry gun, or personal protection gun, which in turn might be different than a home defense gun.
- Virtually any handgun can be a range gun, no matter how large or impractical.
- Concealed carry guns should be smaller and lighter. Polymer frame guns and small steel frame guns are ideal. But keep in mind that the smaller and lighter the gun, the greater the recoil.^{[1]
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- Handguns for home defense can be larger than carry guns, because the user doesn’t have to worry about being weighed down throughout the day.^{[2]
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  Research source} Just don’t get anything so large you have to worry about overshooting—passing through wall—and hurting an innocent bystander.
2
Try before you buy. For most people, guns are expensive purchases. You’ll want to make sure that you like the way your gun feels and shoots before you commit to it.
- Some sporting goods stores and gun dealers have shooting ranges where you can “test drive” a gun you’re looking at.
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3
Make sure you can pass a background check. Save yourself some potential embarrassment and familiarize yourself with the reasons you wouldn't pass a background check. You will be required to submit to one before you can complete your purchase.
- Felons, illegal aliens, persons who admit to being addicted to drugs, servicemen who have received a dishonorable discharge, persons who have renounced their citizenship, persons under restraining orders, persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, those adjudicated mentally ill, and fugitives are all prohibited from purchasing a handgun.^{[3]
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Submit to a background check. Before you can buy a handgun, you’ll have to submit to a background check. The only thing that you’ll need for the background check is a Wisconsin driver’s license or ID.^{[4]
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Research source} Out of state licenses are not acceptable.
- The background check is conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), acting as a middleman for the FBI. Typically, a background check will only take minutes, but it can take as long as five business days. An extra $13 charge is added to the purchase of the firearm for conducting the background check.
- Wisconsin limits gun sales to those who are 18 years of age or older. While there was at one time a 48 hour waiting period, this was repealed in 2015.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Buying a Rifle or Shotgun in Wisconsin

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Decide on the intended use for the rifle or shotgun (long gun). You will require different features from a hunting rifle compared to a range gun, hunting shotgun, or a shotgun for home defense. When you purchase a long gun, take the following factors into account:
- Semi-automatic, high-capacity assault rifles are best used at the range. They are too powerful for home defense and they tend to make poorer hunting rifles than a traditional larger caliber hunting rifle.^{[5]
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- Hunting rifles tend to have smaller capacity, and larger calibers. While there are some semi-automatic and lever action hunting rifles, the majority are bolt-action.^{[6]
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- Hunting shotguns are typically geared toward fowl hunting, although some people hunt larger game with them. They have a low to medium capacity, and come in double barrel, pump action, and semi-automatic.^{[7]
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- Home defense shotguns have shorter barrels, and usually come in pump action or semiautomatic.^{[8]
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Confer with the dealer about your selection. Ask them whether they think your selection is consistent with what you plan on using the weapon for.
- As always, remember that they have an incentive to upsell you. Make sure a more expensive recommendation is worth it.
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Try your intended purchase out before you buy it. Although many dealers have ranges on sight, some of the smaller dealers might not allow rifles on their range. If that’s the case, call a few other ranges and see if they have the same gun for rent.
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Purchase your gun. You will still need to pass a federal background check to purchase a long gun, so the same rules apply as stated above for pistols. Once you’ve made your decision, fill out the proper paperwork, bring and show a valid form of ID, and make your purchase.^{[9]
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- You must be of sound mind and not committing any crimes at the time of your purchase.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Obtaining a Concealed Carry Permit in Wisconsin

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See if you meet the basic requirements. In order to get a concealed carry permit, an individual must be over 21, a Wisconsin resident, and not prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal or state law.
- The disqualifiers are basically the same disqualifiers that would bar someone from buying a handgun, along with their equivalents under Wisconsin law. There is one important addition—if you were adjudicated delinquent in another state for an offense where you would have been tried as an adult and convicted of a felony in Wisconsin, you are also disqualified.^{[10]
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Take a firearms safety and training course. Wisconsin requires concealed carry applicants to take a course in firearms training and safety. A number of courses are acceptable, including:
- The Wisconsin DNR Hunter education program or a similar course in another state.
- A firearms safety course conducted by an organization that certifies firearms instructors, or an instructor certified by said agency.
- A firearms safety course taught by a law enforcement agency.
- A firearms safety course taught by an organization certified by the Wisconsin DOJ, or an instructor certified by the Wisconsin DOJ.
- In addition, those trained in the military, law enforcement, and concealed carry holders from other states are eligible
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Fill out the application. You’ll need to fill out the application for a concealed carry permit, make sure you sign each page, write a check or money order for $40, and make a copy of your training certification.
- When all that is completed, enclose it all in an envelope and mail it to: Wisconsin Department of Justice Attn: Firearms Unit, PO Box 7130 Madison, WI, 53707-7130
- You can find a copy of the application at https://www.doj.state.wi.us/sites/default/files/dles/ccw/concealed-carry-application%281%29.pdf.

Community Q&A

Question

What felony convictions will prevent me from firearm ownership?

Community Answer

All of them.
Question

In Wisconsin, can a store legally hold your firearm if your background check takes longer than 3 business days?

Community Answer

Yes.
Question

Are silencers also called suppressors, and are they legal in WI?

Community Answer

Yes, silencers are suppressors and suppressors are mufflers. And any other name that refers to diminishing the report of a firearm. They are legal in Wisconsin, but must be registered and taxed.