Corey Graff executive director | Wisconsin Gun Owners, Inc.
Corey Graff executive director | Wisconsin Gun Owners, Inc.
According to recent directives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Wisconsin has been added to a list of 13 states where gun buyers can opt out of background checks if they are state residents with valid concealed carry permits. This change was communicated in a letter dated May 23, 2025, sent to firearms dealers.
The exemption allows permit holders to bypass the National Instant Check System (NICS) background checks that are typically required for gun purchases. In addition to these 13 states, there are 16 other states with different types of "gun permits" that similarly exempt purchasers from repeated NICS checks.
However, not everyone views this development positively. Wisconsin Gun Owners (WGO) criticized the move as merely reinforcing what they see as unconstitutional "permits." The organization argues that such measures infringe on the right to keep and bear arms by treating gun owners like criminals who must prove their innocence.
WGO is advocating for Congress to defund and dismantle the NICS system altogether. They believe that exemption schemes highlight how the system infringes on gun owners' rights.
Alerts Sign-up