The laws governing the legal use, storage and carrying of firearms are constantly changing. Below are the applicable laws in the State of Wisconsin as of 1/21/2013. The below information is designed to be a guide and not the final word. If you have specific questions, please refer to Wisconsin state legislation at wisconsin.gov Another great resource is the Department of Justice and can be found at doj.state.wi.us

Current law generally requires that  firearms being transported in a vehicle be encased and unloaded, not hidden or concealed and not within reach.  In regard to other weapons, they could not be carried concealed and within reach.

Under the new CCW law,  a person with a CCW license may carry a concealedweapon (handgun, knife, electric weapon or billy club) in a vehicle. However,  long guns are still subject to the requirement of being fully encased and unloaded, not hidden and not within reach.

The law now allows a person to do the following without a CCW permit:
A. Handguns
- place, possess, or transport a handgun in a vehicle without being unloaded or    encased. Wis. Stats. § 167.31(2)(b).
-load a handgun in a vehicle.  Wis. Stats. § 167.31(2)(c).
- operate an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with a handgun in the operator’s possession.  Wis. Stat. § 23.33(3)(a).
- place, possess, or transport a handgun in or on a motorboat with the motor running without being unloaded or encased.  Wis. Stats. § 167.31(2)(a), (b),(c).
- place, possess, or transport a handgun in or on a noncommercial aircraft.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Persons who do not have a CCW license may still not
carry weapons concealed.  In a vehicle this means that the firearm cannot be
hidden or concealed and within reach.

B. Long guns
The law has been changed regarding hand guns but the requirements for
transporting long guns still remains.  A long gun being transported in a vehicle,
boat, or non-commercial aircraft must be unloaded and enclosed in a case that is CCW FAQ 10/20/11
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completely zipped, snapped, buckled, tied or otherwise fastened with no part of
the firearm exposed.  Wis. Stat. § 167.31(2)(a), (b)

C. Other weapons
As a general rule, persons without a CCW permit may not carry concealed