2025 Legal Guide to Selling a Gun in Wisconsin (WI) for 2026

2026 Firearm Ownership Restrictions in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, the legal age to purchase long guns (rifles, shotguns, and ammunition) from a licensed dealer (FFL) is 18 years old. Buyers looking to purchase handguns from an FFL must be at least 21 years old due to federal law.

Wisconsin state law strictly prohibits individuals from possessing firearms (Wis. Stat. § 941.29) under various circumstances, including:

• Felony Convictions: Being convicted of a felony in Wisconsin or elsewhere.
• Juvenile Delinquency: Being adjudicated delinquent for acts that would be felonies if committed by an adult.
• Mental Health Verdicts: Being found not guilty of a felony by reason of mental disease or defect, or found not guilty or not responsible for a crime elsewhere due to insanity or mental issues.

Individuals prohibited under state law may have additional restrictions under federal law, which also prohibits individuals who are subject to certain domestic abuse injunctions, involuntarily committed, or convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

2026 Disqualifications Related to Mental Health or Addiction in Wisconsin

Persons subject to specific court orders related to mental health and addiction may be prohibited from possessing firearms in Wisconsin. This restriction applies to individuals who have been:

• Involuntarily Committed: Involuntarily committed for mental illness.
• Adjudicated Incapacitated: Adjudicated as incompetent in guardianship proceedings, or placed under protective placement, or receiving protective services for specific reasons related to their capacity.

Court orders following these cases can result in a firearm possession disqualification, and any firearms owned by the individual may be seized by law enforcement.

2026 Restraining Orders and Injunctions in Wisconsin

Individuals subject to certain restraining orders or injunctions related to abuse or harassment may be prohibited from possessing firearms. Wisconsin law recognizes different types of injunctions, including:

• Mandatory Prohibition: Individuals subject to a Domestic Abuse or Child Abuse injunctions are automatically barred from firearm possession under state law (Wis. Stat. § 941.29(1m)). A court issuing these injunctions must order the respondent to surrender any firearms they own or possess.
• Discretionary Prohibition: Individuals subject to a Harassment injunction or an Individual-at-Risk injunction may be prohibited from possessing firearms only if the judge or court commissioner explicitly orders firearm relinquishment, typically if the court determines the respondent may use a firearm to cause physical harm or endanger public safety (Wis. Stat. § 813.125(4m)).

In all cases where a firearm prohibition is ordered, courts can order the surrender of firearms owned or possessed by the individual subject to the injunction. Violation of these prohibitions is a Class G Felony in Wisconsin (Wis. Stat. § 941.29(1m)).

FEDERAL DISQUALIFICATION CATEGORIES

• Conviction (felony or misdemeanor) where the crime has a maximum imprisonment term exceeding 1 year (even if a buyer did not receive actual imprisonment exceeding 1 year).
• Warrant (felony or out-of-state misdemeanor).
• Felony pre-trial release.
• Misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence restraining/stalking/protection order mental health adjudication or commitment.
• Unlawful use or addicted to a controlled substance (including marijuana).
• Dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
• Renounced U.S. citizenship.
• Illegal alien.

Save the Hassle, Sell your Gun to Cash My Guns

The process of selling a firearm in Wisconsin carries significant legal risk, particularly since the state does not require a background check for private sales of long guns.

The seller carries the entire liability and can be charged with a Class G Felony (Wis. Stat. § 941.29(1m)) if they transfer a firearm to a prohibited person, such as a convicted felon or an individual under a domestic abuse injunction. Navigating this liability while verifying a buyer’s legal status can be stressful and overwhelming.

Cash My Guns offers a simplified, safe, and fully legal alternative for selling your handgun or long gun, ensuring 100% compliance with all Wisconsin and federal regulations.

We eliminate the hard part by utilizing our Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), who is government-licensed to manage the legal transfer process and fully assumes the compliance liability by running the mandatory background check on the receiving end.

The reality is you can sell your gun without leaving the house: simply tell us which firearm(s) you wish to sell, we’ll make you an offer, and once we agree on a price, you’ll mail us your gun(s) with all expenses paid by us.

When we receive your gun(s), we get you paid with a check in your hand within a few days, making the process safe, quick, and completely hassle-free.

When you use Cash My Guns, you get the following unbeatable benefits!

Free gun appraisal  –  Fair price for your gun –  Free shipping

Easy shipment tracking throughout the whole process. Speedy payment!

Begin our safe and discrete process here.