Is a Alabama Non-Resident Permit Valid in Wisconsin?

Why

• Alabama does not issue carry permits to non-residents (alea: alabama issues concealed carry permits only to alabama residents, via the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence).

Holder must be 21+ AND must NOT be a Wisconsin resident (a WI resident needs a WI license even if holding another state's permit). Recognition is based on the WI DOJ list of states whose permits require a background check comparable to Wisconsin's. Permit-class limits on the DOJ list: Virginia NON-RESIDENT licenses only; Florida NON-RESIDENT licenses only; Idaho regular or enhanced only (not emergency); West Virginia regular resident or non-resident CHLs only (not provisional); Missouri regular only (not provisional). NOT honored: Maine, New Jersey, Oregon (and Guam, Virgin Islands; Puerto Rico regular licenses only). Vermont issues no permits.

Carry rules in Wisconsin

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter Wisconsin, these rules replace the ones you know from Alabama.

• No proactive duty to inform; a licensee or out-of-state licensee must display the license and photo ID only upon an officer's request while the officer is acting in an official capacity ($25 forfeiture; Wis. Stat. § 175.60(2g)(c), (17)(a)).
• Wisconsin sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Wisconsin is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Wisconsin recognizes.
• License holders may carry a loaded, concealed handgun in a vehicle. Without a license, a loaded handgun may be placed or transported in a vehicle (Wis. Stat. § 167.31(2)) but may NOT be concealed within reach — case law treats a hidden firearm within reach as unlawfully concealed.

Off-limits places in Wisconsin

• Police stations, sheriff's offices and state patrol stations (Wis. Stat. § 175.60(16))
• Prisons, jails, houses of correction and secured correctional facilities
• Secured units of mental health institutions and secure treatment facilities
• County, state and federal courthouses (and municipal courtrooms while court is in session)
• Areas beyond airport security checkpoints
• School grounds and premises (firearms; Wis. Stat. § 948.605 — applies to licensees too)

Frequently asked questions

Is a Alabama non-resident permit valid in Wisconsin?

This permit doesn't exist. Alabama does not issue carry permits to non-residents (aLEA: Alabama issues concealed carry permits only to Alabama residents, via the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence), so there is no "Alabama non-resident permit" to carry in Wisconsin or anywhere else.

Do I have to tell police in Wisconsin that I am carrying?

No proactive duty to inform; a licensee or out-of-state licensee must display the license and photo ID only upon an officer's request while the officer is acting in an official capacity ($25 forfeiture; Wis. Stat. § 175.60(2g)(c), (17)(a)).

Does Wisconsin limit magazine capacity?

Wisconsin sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Does Alabama issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Alabama issues carry permits to residents only (aLEA: Alabama issues concealed carry permits only to Alabama residents, via the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.