Wisconsin Concealed Carry

Wisconsin is a Shall Issue State and issues Concealed Weapon Licenses to residents of Wisconsin. Non-resident licenses are only issues to Military personnel stationed in Wisconsin.

Applicants can apply online at the Wisconsin Concealed Carry Website. You can also download the application form or request one be mailed to you by calling (608) 261-7998 or sending a letter to:

Wisconsin Department of Justice
ATTN: Firearms Unit
P.O. Box 7130
Madison, WI 53707-7130

Wisconsin was the 49th state to instate concealed carry law which went into effect on November 1, 2011, making them a Shall Issue state.

Wisconsin CCW Licenses are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. You can visit the Wisconsin CCW licensing website here.

To be eligible for a Wisconsin CCW License license the applicant must:

• Be 21 years of age or older.
• Not be prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law.
• Not have been ordered as a condition of bail or release in a criminal case from possessing a dangerous weapon.
• Be a Wisconsin resident (as evidenced by a valid Wisconsin driver’s license or ID card), or be active military stationed in Wisconsin.
• Have provided proof of the firearms training required for a license.

The proof of training requirement may be met by any of the following:

1. A copy of a document, or an affidavit from an instructor or organization that conducted the
   course or program, that indicates that the individual completed any of the following:
   1. The hunter education program established by the Department of Natural
      Resources (DNR) or a substantially similar program that is established by another
      state, country, or province and that is recognized by DNR.
   2. A firearms safety or training course that is conducted by a national or state
      organization that certifies firearms instructors. A model certificate is available here.
   3. A firearms safety or training course that is available to the public and is
      offered by a law enforcement agency.
   4. A firearms safety or training course that is taught by an instructor who is
      certified by a national or state organization that certifies firearms instructors or by
      an instructor certified by DOJ, and that is available to the public and offered by
      any of the following: a technical college, a college or university, a private or public
      institution or organization, or a firearms training school.
   5. A firearms safety or training course that is offered to law enforcement officers or to
      owners and employees of licensed private detective and security agencies.
   6. A firearms safety or training course that is conducted by a firearms instructor who
      is certified by a national or state organization that certifies firearms instructors or
      who is certified by DOJ.
2. Documentation that the individual completed military, law enforcement, or security training
   that gave the individual experience with firearms that is substantially equivalent to a course
   or program described above.
3. A current or expired license, or a photocopy of a current or expired license, that the
   individual holds or has held that indicates that the individual is licensed or has been
   licensed to carry a firearm in this state or in another state or in a county or municipality of
   this state or of another state unless the license has been revoked for cause. You must
   complete form DJ-LE-289 from the DOJ website and include it with a copy of the license.
4. Documentation of completion of small arms training while serving in the U.S. armed
   forces as demonstrated by an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable
   conditions or a certificate of completion of basic training with a service record of
   successful completion of small arms training and certification. Wis. Stat. § 175.60(4)(a).

The cost for a Wisconsin CCW License is $40. If you are mailing in your application, include a check for $40 made out to Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Wisconsin CCW Licenses are valid for five years from the date it was issued unless suspended or revoked.

The following places or off-limits when carrying concealed in Wisconsin:

1. Any portion of a building that is a police station, sheriff’s office, state patrol station, or the office of a division of criminal investigation special agent of the department.
2. Any portion of a building that is a prison, jail, house of correction, or secured correctional facility.
3. The facility established under s. 46.055. (Secure mental health facility for sexually violent Persons)
4. The center established under s. 46.056. (Wisconsin Resource Center)
5. Any secured unit or secured portion of a mental health institute under s. 51.05, including a facility

designated as the Maximum Security Facility at Mendota Mental Health Institute.

6. Any portion of a building that is a county, state, or federal courthouse.
7. Any portion of a building that is a municipal courtroom if court is in session.
8. A place beyond a security checkpoint in an airport.

The prohibitions under par. (a) do not apply to any of the following:

1. A weapon in a vehicle driven or parked in a parking facility located in a building that is used as, or
   any portion of which is used as, a location under par. (a).
2. A weapon in a courthouse or courtroom if a judge who is a licensee is carrying the weapon or if
   another licensee or out−of−state licensee, whom a judge has permitted in writing to carry a weapon,
   is carrying the weapon.
3. A weapon in a courthouse or courtroom if a district attorney, or an assistant district attorney, who is a licensee is carrying the weapon.

Yes. For Wisconsin residents, the Wisconsin Department of Justice will conduct a background check when applying for a Wisconsin CCW License.

No. Having a Wisconsin CCW License does not exempt you from a National Instant Criminal System (NICS) check when purchasing a firearm according to the ATF Permanent Brady Permit Chart.

The cost to renew your Wisconsin Concealed Carry License is $22.

You can renew your Wisconsin Concealed Carry License from 120 days before the expiration date to 90 days after the expiration date. Valid license holsters will receive a notice in the mail with a unique identifier to renew using the online system>.

You have 30 days to notify the Wisconsin Department of Justice of name and address changes. Use their online form to request and pay for the changes.

• Name Change: $22
• Name and Address change: $22
• Address Change: $12 (w/ New Card)
• Address Change: $0 (w/o New Card)

If your Wisconsin Concealed Carry License is lost or stolen, you can apply for a new license using their online form. It will cost $22 and require a new background check.

If your license is damaged and you need a new one with the same license number, download the replacement form and mail it to the address below along with the $12 fee.

As far as we can tell, you are not required to notify the Department of Justice of an arrest or conviction. But the DOJ will revoke a license if the license holder is no longer legally eligible to possess a concealed weapon. They will also suspend a license if a court has prohibited a license holder from possessing a dangerous weapon as a condition of bail.

If your license is suspended or revoked, you will receive a notice in the mail within one day of the revocation or suspension and takes effect when you receive it.

Within seven days, you must deliver the license to the DOJ, mail the license via certified mail, or mail a signed statement stating you no longer have possession of it and the reason why. Failing to do so can result in a fine of up to $500 and 30 days in jail.

From what we can tell, your license will no longer be valid after you move to another state. You have 30 days to notify the Wisconsin Department of Justice of address changes.

Wisconsin does not allow you to transfer another state’s concealed carry permit or license to Wisconsin. You must apply for a new Wisconsin CCW License.

Wisconsin accepts 47 other state and territory permits or licenses. Wisconsin has a specific list of states they have reciprocity with and will honor non-resident permits/licenses from those states. To see the most up-to-date reciprocity information visit our concealed carry reciprocity maps.

It seems that yes, Resident Aliens can apply for a Wisconsin Concealed Carry License. In the application form, question 14 asks to enter a Alien Registration or INS # and Country of citizenship if not a citizen.

If you do not have a Wisconsin Concealed Carry License or a permit or license from a state or territory Wisconsin honors, the firearm should be stowed in the truck out of reach.

Wisconsin is a state with castle law. Assembly Bill 69 relates to the privilege of self-defense.

Carrying a firearm while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance is a class A misdemeanor (9 months jail and/or $10,000 fine).

Under the influence has been defined as materially impairing the ability to handle a firearm which
is further explained as consuming ―any amount of alcohol to cause the person to be less able to
exercise clear judgment and steady hand necessary to handle a firearm.

If you have a concealed handgun license, you may carry concealed in a place of business that serves alcohol as long as the license holder is not consuming alcohol.

USA Carry always recommends never to carry a firearm while drinking alcohol.

Yes, No Gun signs have the force of law. See Wisconsin Statute 943.13 (2).

Yes, you may be exempt from the training requirements for a Wisconsin Concealed Carry License. Documentation that the individual completed military, law enforcement, or security training
that gave the individual experience with firearms that is substantially equivalent to a course
or program described above.

State Parks: Yes
State Forests: Yes
National Forests: Yes
WMA’s: Yes
Road Side Rest Areas: Yes

• Wisconsin Concealed Carry Website
• Wisconsin Concealed Carry License Online Application
• Wisconsin Concealed Carry License Downloadable Forms
• Wisconsin Firearms Forums