CCW: What’s New

Public Hearing Information: posted 06/15/2012
The Department of Justice will be hosting three public hearings soliciting input from citizens regarding the concealed carry license emergency rules and proposed permanent rules. Notice of these hearings will be published in the July 2 edition of the Administrative Register in order to satisfy statutory notice requirements. In addition, the hearing dates and information, fiscal and economic impact analysis, as well as text of both the emergency and proposed permanent rules are posted under the legislative tab.

Addition to the recognized out of state licenses
*West Virginia passed a new law effective 06/09/12 that requires a background check similar to Wisconsin for all new concealed carry licenses issued. Therefore, a West Virginia license ISSUED OR RENEWED AFTER 06/08/12 is recognized in Wisconsin. Previously issued West Virginia licenses are not. A copy of the WV law is attached.

*Effective 1/14/2013 new policy for the state of Alaska requires a background check similar to Wisconsin for all new conceal handgun permits. Therefore, an Alaska permit ISSUED OR RENEWED ON OR AFTER 1/14/2013 is recognized in Wisconsin. Alaska permits issued prior to 1/14/2013 are not recognized in Wisconsin.

Concealed Carry

2011 Wisconsin Act 35 created a process for Wisconsin residents to obtain concealed carry licenses. The Department of Justice is working diligently to implement this legislation. Emergency rules implementing the process and listing recognized out-of-state licenses are now approved.

FAQ

This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document answers some of the most common questions regarding Wisconsin’s new law. Other questions may be answered by this Department of Natural Resources FAQ. Effective November 19, 2011, Wisconsin Act 51 takes effect and regulates long guns. The DNR has established FAQ for this new law as well.

If you have questions or wish to leave a message for the firearms unit staff please call (608) 266-7314 and choose option 7, or call (608) 261-8647.

UPDATE 11/09/2011

On 11/07/11, The Joint Committee For The Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) suspended portions of the emergency rules affecting the training requirements for concealed carry licenses. Proof of training is still required to apply for a license. The changes include:

1. Elimination of any time requirement for the firearms safety and training course
2. Elimination of the word test from the definition of firearms safety and training course
3. Elimination of any time requirement for firearms instructor training
4. Elimination of the instructor’s signature from the certificate affirming they taught the course to the student
5. Elimination of any instructor contact information on the certificate
6. Elimination of the location where the training was provided from the certificate

Any application submitted prior to these changes will be processed in accordance with these revisions. If your application has been returned as a result of any of the above training issues, or because you did not have an out-of-state affirmation form; please resubmit the application with all necessary forms and the fee to the CIB Firearms Unit, PO Box 2718, Madison, WI 53701-2718, for reprocessing.