Open Carry Gun Laws - Do They Apply in Your State?

Although some gun laws are controlled by the federal- Cased
government, many are left to the discretion of the- Out of reach of the driver
states themselves. Wisconsin has some of the mostUnloaded means having no shell or cartridge in the
extensive gun laws of any state in the Nation. Infirearm, while encased means properly enclosed in a
Wisconsin, it is completely prohibited for privatecase created for the sole purpose of storing a
citizens to carry a concealed gun. However, it is legalfirearm. Because of this section of the law, gun
to openly carry a firearm except in places prohibitedcarriers must unload and case a gun before entering
by law. It is prohibited to open-carry a firearm in:a vehicle, and then must uncase and openly display
- Vehiclesthe firearm after exiting the vehicle.
- Government buildingsIf a person possesses a firearm, he or she can be
- Schoolscharged with a felony if certain other conditions exist,
- Establishments that sell liquor that may beincluding if the person:
consumed on-site- Has previously been convicted of a felony.
- Any area within 1,000 feet of school property,- Committed a felony as a juvenile.
unless on private property- Has been found not guilty of a felony because of a
Wisconsin's open carry law is meant to combat crimemental health condition.
by making the presence of a firearm well-known and- Has been ordered not to possess a firearm
thus well-regulated. However, for some time, certainbecause of a mental health condition.
jurisdictions attempted to prosecute those following- If involved in a domestic abuse restraining order or
the open carry law by handling it as an offense similara child abuse restraining order.
to disorderly conduct. Wisconsin state governor Jim- Has been ordered against possessing firearms
Doyle expressed his support for the open carry lawbecause of a harassment restraining order.
when he stated, "You want to carry a gun inIn addition, if a person knowingly provides a firearm
Wisconsin, wear it on your hip."to a another person who meets the above
If a firearm is to be carried inside a vehicle, it mustconditions, the person who provides the gun is
be:considered an assistant to a felony crime.
- Unloaded