Overview: Wisconsin permits open carry of firearms without a permit for individuals aged 18 and older who are not prohibited from possessing firearms. Concealed carry requires a state-issued license for residents and military personnel stationed in Wisconsin. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, complete approved firearms training, and pass a background check; the license is valid for five years. The state does not mandate background checks for private firearm sales, nor does it impose magazine capacity limits or require firearm registration. Wisconsin lacks a red flag law and does not have a waiting period for firearm purchases. However, it enforces child access prevention laws, penalizing adults who leave loaded firearms within reach of children. The state also upholds the Castle Doctrine, allowing individuals to use force, including deadly force, in self-defense within their homes without a duty to retreat. Notably, 20 counties and one city in Wisconsin have adopted “Second Amendment sanctuary” resolutions, expressing opposition to certain gun control measures.