While Wisconsin has enacted several basic gun safety laws, the state still lacks a number of key policies that would go a long way toward reducing gun violence.
The state processes background checks through state databases for handguns but doesn’t require background checks for private sales. In 2020, Wisconsin had the 15th-lowest gun death rate in the country and exported crime guns to other states at the 16th-highest rate. To save lives from gun violence, Wisconsin legislators could fund community violence programs and require background checks for all gun sales.
What Wisconsin Does Well
- Certain domestic violence gun laws
- Certain child access prevention laws
- State database background checks for handguns
- Certain disarming procedures
- Partial handgun dealer regulation
What Wisconsin Is Missing
- Universal background checks
- Gun owner licensing
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Waiting periods
- Strong concealed carry law
- Open carry regulations
SPOTLIGHT
GUN LAW SCORECARD
The data is clear: states with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. See how your state compares in our annual ranking.
Read MoreEXPLORE WISCONSIN’S GUN LAWS
WHO CAN HAVE A GUN
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
GUNS IN PUBLIC
HARDWARE & AMMUNITION
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
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We’re in this together. To build a safer America—one where children and parents in every neighborhood can learn, play, work, and worship without fear of gun violence—we need you standing beside us in this fight.
