Legal Age of Owning a Rifle in Wisconsin

KENOSHA – The Kyle-Rittenhouse trial has reignited the debate over the legal age to buy and possess a gun. A commentary in the Kenosha News Wednesday advocated raising that threshold from 18 to 21. Leaving a firearm within reach of a child under the age of 14 is generally an offence if that child points it at someone, injures someone or shows it to someone in a public place. Defensive measures include locking the weapon in a safe or firearm container, attaching it to the person, applying a trigger lock to the weapon, removing a key piece, illegally entering a person to obtain the firearm, or reasonably believing that a minor would not be able to access the firearm. Status WI 948.55[37] Anthony Cotton, a defense attorney for Waukesha, said whether or not Rittenhouse legally owned the rifle is insignificant compared to the murder charges. Short-barreled rifles and shotguns are legal if registered with the ATF, state law 941.28 Under Wisconsin laws, which state that anyone under the age of 18 „armed” with a deadly weapon is guilty of a Class A offense, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was not old enough to legally carry the assault rifle he had. Several states have introduced stricter laws on the legal age of firearms, such as Illinois and Florida, where you must be 21 to buy any type of firearm. „You can go to war and die for your country, but then you can`t go back to your own country and own a gun or a shotgun? And again, depending on what the actual details of a law would be. And that`s why I think it`s unrealistic,” he said. Unless a person is prohibited from possessing a firearm, it is legal to openly carry any legal firearm in Wisconsin. Before Wisconsin passed a secret carry law in 2011, gun rights advocates organized open group outings and secured acquittals or dismissals for several people arrested during the events. More recently, gun owners carried assault rifles during protests in state capitals against stay-at-home orders during the early months of the pandemic this spring. Machine guns (fully automatic firearms) are legal if the firearm is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (BATFE) and the owner has obtained permission from the local sheriff or chief of police (941.26) and the firearm is not suitable for using pistol cartridges for purposes that are clearly not aggressive or offensive (941.26(5)) or exempted under Law 941.27.

Loading or carrying a loaded and unpacked handgun in a vehicle was legalized on November 1, 2011. [14] The firearm must not be „hidden from ordinary observation” in the vehicle unless the citizen has a driver`s licence. [15] However, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that a permit is required to have a loaded handgun concealed within range of a vehicle, whether or not the Safe Transport Statute lifts restrictions on transporting loaded handguns. [16] Proponents of stricter gun laws believe that raising the legal age to purchase and possess firearms makes sense nationally, as young people`s brains are still developing and this affects their judgment. Meanwhile, gun rights advocates say 18-year-olds should be allowed to protect themselves. For hunting purposes, the following exemptions from the age limit set out in Bill 29.304[43] apply to shotguns with a barrel of 12 inches or more and rifles with a barrel of 16 inches or more. The legal drinking age rose from 18 to 21 more than 35 years ago, and Dickman believes it`s time to meet minimum age restrictions for firearms. Here are some basics about relevant Wisconsin laws and what legal experts have to say about the situation. Private sales are legal. No background checks or government authorization/registration are required. Proof of purchase is recommended in case the buyer needs to prove ownership (for example, when picking up firearms seized by the police).

But John Monroe, a lawyer who specializes in gun law cases, believes an exemption for rifles and shotguns designed to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to hunt could apply. Open transportation is legal without permission wherever concealed wearing is legal. It is legal for all adults unless they are prohibited from possessing firearms. Wisconsin Law 948.60(2)(a) states that „every person under the age of 18 who possesses a dangerous weapon or is armed is guilty of a Class A offense.” However, the exceptions are: „if a person under 18 years of age possesses a rifle or shotgun” and „if the dangerous weapon is used in shooting under the supervision of an adult or in a course on the traditional and appropriate use of the dangerous weapon under the supervision of an adult.” [8] Wisconsin section 948.60(3)(c) states: „This section applies only to a person under 18 years of age who possesses or is armed with a rifle or shotgun if he or she violates or does not violate the SS. 29,304 and 29,593. [9] Paragraph 29.304(3)(b) of the Act states: „No person 14 years of age or older but under 16 years of age shall possess or control a firearm,” with other exceptions. [10] Children over the age of 12 and under the age of 16 may use rifles and shotguns in very limited and supervised situations. [11] An adult licence is not required unless it is located in a taxpayer-owned building or within 1000 feet of school property rather than private property. [12] Currently, federal law requires licensed firearms dealers to sell handguns only to purchasers 21 years of age or older. Federal law allows people to buy long guns such as rifles and shotguns when they turn 18. It is legal to transport in a private plane. With a license, a user can wear openly or secretly.

Without a license, only Open Carry is legal. [ref. needed] As of January 2013, anyone who legally possesses a firearm is allowed to openly carry a firearm in a state park without a permit. (The law said you had to be licensed to own in a state park. This law has been abolished.) The restriction still applies to hatcheries and long guns, and to enter a taxpayer-owned building anywhere (including a park), you must be licensed. Exceptions are a license, and that the owner or manager can give someone (without a license) permission to wear openly. If worn (open or concealed) on a driver`s license, no alcohol may be consumed on the premises. When worn openly with the permission of the owner or manager, it is legal to consume alcohol as long as you are not „physically impaired.” It is legal to carry a handgun in a store that sells alcohol for consumption elsewhere (a liquor or grocery store). Last accessed from: giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/minimum-age-to-purchase-possess-in-wisconsin/ As of November 1, 2011, it is legal to load a handgun or transport a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a licence. NOTE: This does NOT apply to long guns; They still need to be unloaded, but now they can be undisguised. There is still some confusion as to whether a gun is sheathed or not, so if it is disguised, it is best to keep the long gun out of reach. Long guns must be „recognizable to ordinary sightings” because a concealed licence does not apply.

Previously, all firearms had to be unloaded and wrapped (in accordance with the Transport Act) and out of reach (derived from the Concealed Carrying Act). People with a concealed driver`s license are allowed to hide a firearm in a vehicle. Pistols can be worn openly without a permit or hidden with a permit. Long guns must be unloaded while the engine is running; They do not need to be packaged, but must be in sight. Carrying a handgun without a concealed licence when alcohol is sold AND consumed (the Class B establishment – a „tavern”, a place where alcohol is sold for consumption on the premises) is generally a Class A offence, unless permission is obtained from the owner, manager or representative of the establishment.