Wisconsin Reciprocity

Statutory Basis - Wis. Stat. § 175.60(2g)

Wisconsin's reciprocity framework is at Wis. Stat. § 175.60(2g). Under the statute, Wisconsin recognizes the concealed-carry license of any other state that meets enumerated criteria. The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains the current recognition list, which is published on the DOJ Concealed Carry Unit web page.

How Recognition Works

A person carrying concealed in Wisconsin under another state's license must satisfy each of these conditions:

• The other state's license is on the DOJ-published recognized list under Wis. Stat. § 175.60(2g).
• The licensee is not a Wisconsin resident (Wisconsin residents must hold a Wisconsin CCL).
• The license is valid and current under the issuing state's law.
• The licensee carries in compliance with Wisconsin law - all Wisconsin prohibited-place rules, age limits, restrictions, and use-of-force standards apply.

The recognized out-of-state licensee carries in Wisconsin under the same rules and limits a Wisconsin CCL holder would face. The Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 175.60(15m), § 941.235, § 941.237, federal aviation rules, § 948.605 prohibited-location catalog applies.

Wisconsin Residents Cannot Use Out-of-State License Reciprocity

A Wisconsin resident must hold a Wisconsin CCL. The Wis. Stat. § 175.60(2g) reciprocity is for non-residents of Wisconsin only. A Wisconsin resident who holds, say, a Utah or Florida out-of-state license cannot use that license to carry concealed in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin CCL is the only path for Wisconsin residents.

States Currently Recognized (DOJ List)

The DOJ-recognized list as of recent publication includes approximately 30 states. Common categories of recognition:

• Alabama - resident and non-resident licenses.
• Arkansas - resident concealed handgun licenses.
• Colorado - resident concealed handgun licenses.
• Florida - resident and non-resident licenses.
• Idaho - resident enhanced concealed weapons licenses.
• Indiana - resident handgun licenses.
• Iowa - resident permits to carry weapons.
• Kentucky - resident concealed deadly weapons licenses.
• Louisiana - resident concealed handgun permits.
• Michigan - resident concealed pistol licenses.
• Mississippi - resident enhanced licenses.
• Missouri - resident concealed carry endorsements / permits.
• Montana - resident concealed weapons permits.
• North Carolina - resident concealed handgun permits.
• North Dakota - Class 1 licenses.
• Ohio - resident concealed handgun licenses.
• Oklahoma - resident self-defense act licenses.
• South Dakota - resident enhanced permits.
• Tennessee - resident enhanced handgun carry permits.
• Texas - resident license to carry.
• Utah - resident and non-resident concealed firearm permits.
• Virginia - resident concealed handgun permits.
• West Virginia - resident concealed handgun licenses.
• Wyoming - resident concealed firearm permits.

This list is illustrative; the actual DOJ list may add or remove states based on the criteria in Wis. Stat. § 175.60(2g). Always check the current DOJ list before traveling.

States Generally NOT Recognized

Several states are typically NOT on the Wisconsin recognized list:

• Illinois - issues a different license framework that historically has not met Wisconsin's recognition criteria.
• Iowa permit-to-acquire (separate from the carry permit) - not recognized.
• States with no concealed carry license (constitutional-carry only states like Vermont) - cannot be recognized because there is no license to recognize.
• States whose license does NOT require fingerprint background check may not meet Wisconsin's criteria.
• States that license persons under 21 may not meet Wisconsin's criteria.
• States that license persons whose record would disqualify under Wisconsin law may not meet Wisconsin's criteria.

Permitless Carry States and Wisconsin

A traveler from a permitless-carry state (e.g., Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee) who holds NO license cannot carry concealed in Wisconsin under reciprocity - there is no license for Wisconsin to recognize. The traveler must either:

• Refrain from carrying concealed in Wisconsin.
• Hold a license from another state that IS on the Wisconsin recognized list.

A traveler from a permitless-carry state who ALSO holds a recognized license (Indiana resident with a Florida non-resident license, for example) may carry under the Florida license if Florida is on the Wisconsin recognized list.

What "Carry in Compliance with Wisconsin Law" Means

A non-resident licensee carrying in Wisconsin must comply with:

• Wis. Stat. § 175.60(15m) prohibited-location list.
• Wis. Stat. § 941.235 public building rule.
• Wis. Stat. § 941.237 alcohol-serving premises rule.
• federal aviation rules airport rule.
• Wis. Stat. § 948.605 school zone rule.
• Wis. Stat. § 941.20 carry-while-intoxicated rule.
• Wis. Stat. § 943.13 posted-property rule.
• Use-of-force standards under Wis. Stat. § 939.48, including the castle doctrine at § 939.48(1m).
• Vehicle carry rules under the CCL framework and Wis. Stat. § 167.31.

The non-resident's home-state license does not waive any Wisconsin substantive rule.

Demanding Documentation

A Wisconsin peace officer encountering a non-resident armed individual may demand:

• The recognized out-of-state license.
• Photo identification.
• Evidence of non-resident status (e.g., out-of-state driver's license, vehicle registration).

The licensee must produce these documents on demand under Wis. Stat. § 175.60(2g)(c).

Wisconsin Licensees Traveling Out of State

Reciprocity is bilateral but not symmetric. A state that Wisconsin recognizes does NOT necessarily recognize Wisconsin's CCL. A Wisconsin CCL holder traveling out of state must:

• Research each destination state's reciprocity framework.
• Comply with each state's substantive carry rules in addition to the reciprocity test.
• Verify that the destination state honors the Wisconsin CCL.

States that commonly honor the Wisconsin CCL include most of the recognized states above. Notable exceptions: Illinois (does not honor any out-of-state license), New York (very limited), New Jersey (very limited), Massachusetts (very limited), California (does not honor).

Federal Reciprocity Bills

Federal "national concealed carry reciprocity" legislation has been introduced in multiple Congresses. None has been enacted into law. The current reciprocity framework remains entirely state-by-state.

Practical Travel Checklist

For a Wisconsin CCL holder traveling out of state:

1. Confirm the destination state honors the Wisconsin CCL (check that state's published recognized list).
2. Note any substantive differences in the destination state's carry rules (prohibited places, vehicle carry, age limits, etc.).
3. Verify whether passing through other states triggers federal 18 U.S.C. § 926A in-transit safe harbor.
4. If any destination state does NOT honor the Wisconsin CCL, secure the firearm per that state's transport rules during the time in that state.

Practical Visitor Checklist

For a non-Wisconsin licensee visiting Wisconsin:

1. Confirm the home-state license is on the Wisconsin DOJ recognized list.
2. Confirm the home-state license is current and not expired.
3. Review the Wisconsin prohibited-location catalog and substantive rules above.
4. Comply with all Wisconsin posting and posted-property requirements.
5. Avoid alcohol if armed.

Disclaimer

The reciprocity landscape changes regularly. The Wisconsin DOJ updates its recognized list as other states amend their licensing frameworks. Always verify the current list at the DOJ Concealed Carry Unit page before traveling.