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Airgun law · United States
Are Airguns Legal in Wisconsin?
Yes, with conditions.
Generally legal, but with real rules to follow, usually age verification and, in some places, a low-power threshold.
Tier 3: Moderate
Mainly age verification (typically 18+), with some local variance.
WI
The picture at a glance
Each measure below scores how restrictive Wisconsin is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).
ClassificationSpecial category
Age rule18+ for sales
PossessionFree for adults
Transfer / saleAge verification
TransportVariable
PreemptionState preempts
The rules in detail
Classification
Special category
Treated as a 'dangerous weapon' under WI Stat. § 939.22(10), but not a firearm.
Age rule
18+ for sales
Industry standard 18+.
Possession
Free for adults
Lawful for adults.
Transfer / sale
Age verification
Standard sale.
Transport
Variable
No airgun-specific case or unload rule, but § 167.31 (as amended by 2023 Act 115) bars discharging an airgun in or from a vehicle, from or across a highway, or within 50 feet of a roadway's center.
Preemption
State preempts
Full state preemption now covers airguns: 2023 Wisconsin Act 115 added airguns to the 'firearm' definition in § 66.0409(1)(a) (eff. March 16, 2024). Cities, villages and towns may still restrict discharge (§ 66.0409(3)(b)).
Hunting with an airgun
2023 Wisconsin Act 115 (eff. March 16, 2024) opened all firearms hunting seasons to airguns
Deer
Explicitly allowed
Allowed
Turkey
Explicitly allowed
Allowed (seasons open to firearms are open to airguns, § 29.014(1u))
Small game
Explicitly allowed
Allowed (seasons open to firearms are open to airguns, § 29.014(1u))
Predators
Explicitly allowed
Allowed (seasons open to firearms are open to airguns, § 29.014(1u))
Other big game
Allowed with conditions
Bear/elk: Allowed with conditions: both are gun seasons, so airguns are legal (§ 29.014(1u)); ammunition must be a single projectile of expanding design (NR 10.09(2)(c))
Keep exploring
Open the interactive mapSee how this compares across the map and switch between legal and hunting views.Find a place to shootAirgun-friendly ranges, flagged where confirmed.Ballistics toolkitCheck energy, velocity, and range for any airgun and load.Ammo databaseBrowse 600+ pellets and slugs by caliber and weight.
This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.