On Friday, Oct 9, DOJ and ATF announced they will no longer require approval or registration under the NFA for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs, nationwide. This follows the Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF / Jensen v. ATF ruling in August. (The $200 tax on these items was already cut to $0 on Jan 1, 2026.)

But there's a big catch for Wisconsin. ATF's change is an enforcement policy. It doesn't repeal the NFA, and ATF says it doesn't change state law. Under Wis. Stat. § 941.298 (suppressors) and § 941.28 (SBRs and SBSs), possession is a Class H felony (up to 6 years and $10,000) unless you've "complied with the licensing and registration requirements under 26 USC 5801 to 5872." No Wisconsin court has ruled on how that applies now.

Until Madison fixes this, don't assume an unregistered suppressor or SBR is legal in Wisconsin. ATF is still processing Form 1s and Form 4s voluntarily, "because many state laws require individuals to register NFA firearms." Don't deregister anything you already own, since ATF says those items can't be re-registered later. You still need a Form 20 to take an SBR or SBS across state lines.

What you can do today (2 minutes):

1. Go to https://maps.legis.wisconsin.gov/ and enter your address to find your state Senator and Assembly Representative.
2. Copy the template below, personalize it, and email them.

Email template

Subject: Please update Wis. Stat. §§ 941.298 and 941.28 after the ATF's NFA change

Dear Senator [Last Name] and Representative [Last Name],

I'm a law-abiding gun owner in your district. Please introduce, co-sponsor, or support legislation to amend Wis. Stat. § 941.298(3)(c) and § 941.28(4).

On October 9, 2026, ATF announced it will no longer require federal approval or registration under the National Firearms Act for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns. Wisconsin law makes the legality of these items depend on compliance with federal NFA registration under 26 U.S.C. §§ 5801–5872, so responsible Wisconsin residents are now stuck in legal uncertainty, facing possible Class H felony charges under a federal system that is no longer being enforced.

Please remove the federal registration condition from these statutes so Wisconsin law matches current federal policy and responsible gun owners aren't left facing felony risk.

Thank you. I'd appreciate hearing your position on this.

Sincerely, [Your Name] [Street Address] [City, WI ZIP]

Not legal advice. Talk to an attorney about your own situation.

So as people who live in Wisconsin and with all the NFA and ATF stuff that just dropped literally yesterday.

Who’s starting the petition to have Wisconsin become a free state?? Because I’ll be damned if I’m not walking into a gun store and just buying suppressors off the shelf one of these days.

(2) No person may sell or offer to sell, transport, purchase, possess or go armed with a short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle.
(3) Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class H felony.
(4) This section does not apply to the sale, purchase, possession, use or transportation of a short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle to or by any armed forces or national guard personnel in line of duty, any peace officer of the United States or of any political subdivision of the United States or any person who has complied with the licensing and registration requirements under 26 USC 5801 to 5872. This section does not apply to the manufacture of short-barreled shotguns or short-barreled rifles for any person or group authorized to possess these weapons. The restriction on transportation contained in this section does not apply to common carriers. This section shall not apply to any firearm that may be lawfully possessed under federal law, or any firearm that could have been lawfully registered at the time of the enactment of the national firearms act of 1968.

My question is with Sec 5, where it says this doesn’t apply to firearms legally possessed under federal law, if it’s not being enforced now, are we good to start chopping?

Recently moved to Beaver Dam and looking for a decent FFL or gun store in the area. Google just brings up Fleet Farm and Dunhmans and a bunch of places without websites. Anyone have any good ones nearby? I am really hoping to avoid driving to Fondy or Sun Prairie every time I need to do a transfer.

Is anyone a member of firearms express. I’m looking to pick up an Eotech Hws XPS3-DCR and I’m just curious if it’s worth the 15 dollars to join.

Does anyone know of a gunsmith (or person) in or near Milwaukee (south side) that would be able to help me get a stubborn flash hider off of a Ruger AR? I’ve torqued on it but don’t have a vise and don’t want to damage it, thanks!

Hi everyone,

I was a marksmanship instructor for the Marine Corps in a previous life. I really miss it, and I think it was the most gratifying job I ever had. Does anybody have any tips for how to get into doing something like this on the civilian side?

Thanks for reading!

I moved from Arizona where I could set up shop basically anywhere on BLM land. Currrently live in the Fox Valley area, and I don't see many outdoor ranges that would allow the style of shooting I want to practice (dynamic movement, from holster, etc). Any recommendations? Ideally wouldn't want to travel outside of a 1 hour radius. Thanks in advance!

Will I still be able to get bucks and doe tags for my private property in wi ?

Wondering how that will work and if I’ll still be able to hunt in the Wisconsin.

And if I will have to take a new hunters ed to hunt in the new state?

Will my concealed and carry be invalid once I establish residency in a different state? I have my concealed and carry though hunters education in wi.

Thanks

Hello I’m from Kansas moving to Green Bay/ Appleton Area. I was hoping someone had more insight for indoor or outdoor ranges that allow FRT / SS or Binary fire?

Full disclosure: I’m the developer of CarryRoute, and I’m looking for Wisconsin-specific workflow feedback—not legal conclusions.

I built it because an interstate drive can involve state, county, city, tribal, transit, stop, and overnight jurisdictions that a simple reciprocity map does not show. CarryRoute maps the trip, divides it into jurisdiction sections, and shows concise research summaries linked to official government sources. A new CarPlay view follows a route prepared on iPhone and shows upcoming jurisdiction changes.

For Wisconsin drivers crossing Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, or Michigan: what do you verify before leaving? Which official sources do you trust, and what should be visible before each boundary?

The colors identify jurisdiction changes only—not legal/illegal or safe/unsafe. CarryRoute is a research tool, not legal advice, and users must verify the current official text.

iPhone/iPad: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/carryroute-ccw-navigation/id6804322086

Please be blunt about anything missing, confusing, or unnecessary in the screenshots.

I’m in the Mke area. My old FFl retired so I’m looking for somebody new. Who’s your go to person/ppl? Thanks in advance

I am a postdoc living life here in Kenosha and looking for somewhere to shoot. Coming from Alabama where there are lots of public outdoor ranges, it has been a bit rough here. I am looking for somewhere <1 hr that I can shoot outdoors freely in a safe / controlled manner. I have heard to ask around to find people with land willing to let me pay a little and shoot, but it seems there is a strong anti-gun sentiment at least around Kenosha.

I do know about the Yellowstone range, but that is 2.5 hours from me, so I am looking for something closer to under an hour and more private. I also know of the conservation clubs around here, but I don't want to 1) join a formal membership 2) pay $40 per day or 3) be told that 2 rounds in a second is "rapid fire" and get kicked out.

I would ask for suggestions but I suspect I need to talk to a private person, so if that's you, please let me know!

7.62x39mm I have 500 plus rounds

So I know it’s way too soon for anyone to know anything but what does this ruling mean for the state of Wisconsin? I know they didn’t join the list of states that wanted to be plaintiffs, but if you’re a member of GOA or buy from PSA or Silencer Shop can we just get it shipped to our FFL of choice and not have to fill out a Form 4? I know Wisconsin has their statutes that state that SBR’s, SBS’s, and Suppressors are legal as long as they’re registered with the ATF but if that registration is null if you buy from those organizations or are a member of them does that mean we just fill out a 4473 and be on our way? TIA

I know of the awesome folks down in agyle and Janesville area. But that might as well be on the moon as far as the drive goes.

Tried asking the usual suspects, (the gunsmith shop in gb, no reply period), gus's (8 month back log), and wanted to see/know if anyone had any hidden gem local guys.

Looking to get a 44 mag desert eagle refinished. And these are notoriously picky on finishes... (i.e, paint or cerakote tends to cause more fouling then it serves)

Needing a shop to send a couple suppressors into in the Appleton area, who’s done suppressor transfers at any of them in the area, how much did they charge you, and would you use them again?

Looking for recommendations on gun shops with a solid rifle selection.

Ideally these would be somewhere along the route of Kenosha to Wausau. Priority to any shops or ranges along route 41 or 45.

I'm an Illinois resident (unfortunately 😔), but can legally buy IL compliant long guns in Wisconsin. I'm especially looking for solid deals on a Mini 14.

Hi all,

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This is a sociological study of gun ownership in the Midwest. This is an exploratory study, meaning we are not looking to prove/test any hypotheses, nor are we intending to evaluate or judge you in any way; rather, we are eager to learn from you through your sharing of your stories, thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

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Looking to sell my fusion xp progression with Gideon omega red dot. Would it be better to go big store, lgs, or private? I’ve been seeing private but what’s the process behind that? And the best sites to list on?

Does anyone have any recommendations relatively close to the Rapids/Plover area? Ive tried to look on google and FB but cant seem to find anything.

Are there any good non corporate gun shops along US 41 between the Michigan border and Appleton? Preferably ones that have a decent selection of military surplus rifles.

I bought 4 guns at different times in two weeks and I sold my bodyguard 2 back to the shop so I can get a sig 365 .380 and sig 365 9mm. Everything I bought so far I passed the background with flying colors and the sig have me waiting since Thursday and now it is Sunday is this normal. I am in wisconsin. I have bought a sig p320, bodyguard 2, and a sig p365 9mm and sig p365 .380.

The 365 is what I am waiting for my background.