Wisconsin's primary firearm-transport statute is Wis. Stat. § 167.31. It distinguishes between licensee transport (a CCL holder, who may transport...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Wisconsin's primary firearm-transport statute is Wis. Stat. § 167.31. It distinguishes between licensee transport (a CCL holder, who may transport loaded under the CCL) and non-licensee transport (which generally requires the firearm to be unloaded and either encased or stored in a manner not accessible to the vehicle's occupants).
This section covers the full transport framework including motor vehicles, boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, and air travel.
Under Wis. Stat. § 167.31(2), a non-licensee may not place, possess, or transport a loaded firearm in a vehicle on any highway. The principal carve-outs:
"Loaded" means a round in the chamber OR a round in a magazine that is inserted in the firearm. Unloaded magazines kept separately from the firearm are permissible.
A CCL holder may carry a loaded handgun on the person or in the vehicle while driving in Wisconsin. The CCL authorizes loaded vehicle carry of a handgun. See Vehicle Carry for details.
Long guns (rifles, shotguns) are NOT covered by the CCL. A long gun in a vehicle must be transported per Wis. Stat. § 167.31:
This rule applies even to CCL holders - the CCL is specific to concealed handgun carry, not long-gun transport.
Wis. Stat. § 167.31(2) extends to motorboats. The same general framework applies: a loaded firearm in a motorboat by a non-licensee is restricted, with carve-outs for the unloaded-and-cased configuration and for licensees.
A CCL holder may carry a loaded handgun on a boat the same way they may carry on land - subject to the general Wis. Stat. § 175.60 framework and the carve-outs in Wis. Stat. § 175.60(15m).
Wis. Stat. § 167.31 applies to ATVs and snowmobiles. A non-licensee operator must comply with the unloaded-and-cased rule. A CCL holder may carry loaded under the CCL.
Wisconsin DNR rules layer additional requirements for hunting from a motorized vehicle - generally prohibited except for hunters with specific disability permits under the DNR framework.
Federal regulations (TSA) govern air-travel firearm transport:
A CCL is irrelevant for federal air-travel rules. Wisconsin's federal aviation rules prohibits firearms in the sterile area of any airport, separately reinforcing the federal restriction.
Amtrak permits checked-baggage firearm transport with advance reservation. The firearm must be unloaded, in a locked hard-sided case, and declared at booking. Carry of any firearm on an Amtrak train (in the passenger cabin) is prohibited under Amtrak rules. Wisconsin law does not separately address train transport.
Federal regulations govern shipping firearms between states. Generally:
Wisconsin imposes no additional state-level shipping restrictions beyond the federal framework.
A traveler passing through Wisconsin with a firearm that is lawful at origin and destination is protected by the federal Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) transport safe harbor at 18 U.S.C. § 926A. The federal safe harbor requires:
The federal FOPA safe harbor preempts state law to the extent state law would prohibit the in-transit possession. Wisconsin generally honors the federal preemption.
A CCL holder approaching a Wis. Stat. § 175.60(15m) facility (e.g., a police station) or a Wis. Stat. § 941.235 public building must secure the firearm. Best practice: lock the firearm in a vehicle-mounted secure container before entering the facility. Leaving the firearm loose in the vehicle while running an errand at a prohibited facility carries theft risk and potential Wis. Stat. § 948.55 (loaded-firearm-accessible-to-child) liability if the vehicle is accessible to a child.
When the traveler reaches a destination where carry is not authorized (e.g., a workplace that posts under Wis. Stat. § 943.13), the firearm should be secured. Most workplaces that post prohibit carry on the premises but do not prohibit storage in a locked vehicle in the parking area; check the specific policy.
A licensee or non-licensee transporting a firearm to a gunsmith, FFL, or repair facility should comply with Wis. Stat. § 167.31. The CCL does not impose additional restrictions, but the transport should be in a configuration consistent with the trip's purpose.
| Scenario | Issue |
|---|---|
| Non-licensee transporting a loaded handgun under the seat | Violates Wis. Stat. § 167.31 |
| Non-licensee transporting a loaded long gun in the truck bed | Violates Wis. Stat. § 167.31 |
| Forgetting to declare a firearm at airline check-in | Federal violation; firearm may be confiscated |
| Leaving a loaded firearm in an unlocked vehicle accessible to a child | Wis. Stat. § 948.55 |
| Carrying a handgun on Amtrak in the passenger cabin | Amtrak rule violation; federal regulation may apply |
| Through-traveler with handgun in unlocked passenger compartment | Loses 18 U.S.C. § 926A FOPA safe harbor |
This page covers one part of our Wisconsin concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Wisconsin guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.