Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 948.605 (2026)
Gun-free school zones
✓ current as of July 2026
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948.605(1)(ac)(ac) “Firearm” does not include any beebee or pellet-firing gun that expels a projectile through the force of air pressure or any starter pistol.
948.605(1)(ar)(ar) “Qualified out-of-state law enforcement officer” has the meaning given in s. 941.23 (1) (g).
948.605(2)(a)(a) Any individual who knowingly possesses a firearm at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is in or on the grounds of a school is guilty of a Class I felony. Any individual who knowingly possesses a firearm at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a school is subject to a Class B forfeiture.
948.605(2)(b)(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to the possession of a firearm by any of the following:
948.605(2)(b)1m.1m. A person who possesses the firearm in accordance with 18 USC 922 (q) (2) (B) (i), (iv), (v), (vi), or (vii).
948.605(2)(b)1r.1r. Except if the person is in or on the grounds of a school, a licensee, as defined in s. 175.60 (1) (d), or an out-of-state licensee, as defined in s. 175.60 (1) (g).
948.605(2)(b)2d.2d. A person who is employed in this state by a public agency as a law enforcement officer and to whom s. 941.23 (1) (g) 2. to 5. and (2) (b) 1. to 3. applies.
948.605(2)(b)2e.2e. A person who is certified as a tactical emergency medical services professional under s. 165.85 (3) acting in his or her official capacity.
948.605(2)(b)2f.2f. A qualified out-of-state law enforcement officer to whom s. 941.23 (2) (b) 1. to 3. applies.
948.605(2)(b)3m.3m. A person who is legally hunting in a school forest if the school board has decided that hunting may be allowed in the school forest under s. 120.13 (38).
948.605(3)(a)(a) Any individual who knowingly, or with reckless disregard for the safety of another, discharges or attempts to discharge a firearm at a place the individual knows is a school zone is guilty of a Class G felony.
948.605(3)(b)(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to the discharge of, or the attempt to discharge, a firearm:
948.605(3)(b)2.2. As part of a program approved by a school in the school zone, by an individual who is participating in the program.
948.605(3)(b)3.3. By an individual in accordance with a contract entered into between a school in a school zone and the individual or an employer of the individual.
948.605(3)(b)4.4. By a law enforcement officer or state-certified commission warden acting in his or her official capacity.
948.605(3)(b)5.5. By a person who is employed in this state by a public agency as a law enforcement officer and to whom s. 941.23 (1) (g) 2. to 5. and (2) (b) 1. to 3. applies.
948.605(3)(b)5m.5m. By a person who is certified as a tactical emergency medical services professional under s. 165.85 (3) acting in his or her official capacity.
948.605(3)(b)6.6. By a qualified out-of-state law enforcement officer to whom s. 941.23 (2) (b) 1. to 3. applies.
948.605 HistoryHistory: 1991 a. 17; 1993 a. 336; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 290; 2007 a. 27; 2011 a. 35; 2013 a. 166; 2015 a. 23; 2023 a. 218.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1992–2025 · leading case: Wisconsin Carry, Inc. v. City of Madison, 2017 WI 19 (Wis. 2017).
Wisconsin Carry, Inc. v. City of Madison, 2017 WI 19 (Wis. 2017). “13 (1m)(c)); and School grounds ( Wis. Stat. § 948.605 (2)(b)1r). 42 No. 2015AP146 it adopts new legislation against that backdrop, leaving the present law undisturbed except so far as necessary to make room for the new.”
United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549 (1995). “1 (1988); Wis. Stat. § 948.605 (1991-1992). Other, more practicable means to rid the schools of guns may be thought by the citizens of some States to be preferable for the safety and welfare of the schools those States are *582 charged with maintaining.”
United States v. Robert Leo, Jr., 792 F.3d 742 (7th Cir. 2015). “See Wis. Stat. §§ 948.605 (2)(b)lr, 175.60(l)(d), 175.”
State v. Perez, 2000 WI App 115 (Wis. Ct. App. 2000). “§ 948.605(2)(a), which makes it a crime to possess a gun in a school zone; WIS.”
Dane Cnty. v. Jeramiah Bradley (Wis. Ct. App. 2025). “§ 948.605 because the case involved a school administration building, which is not included in the definition of “school” under WIS.”
Wisconsin Carry, Inc. v. City of Madison (Wis. 2017). “13 (1m)(c)); and School grounds ( Wis. Stat. § 948.605 (2)(b)1r). 42 No. 2015AP146 it adopts new legislation against that backdrop, leaving the present law undisturbed except so far as necessary to make room for the new.”
Wisconsin Carry, Inc. v. City of Madison (Wis. 2017). “13 (1m)(c)); and School grounds ( Wis. Stat. § 948.605 (2)(b)1r). 42 No. 2015AP146 it adopts new legislation against that backdrop, leaving the present law undisturbed except so far as necessary to make room for the new.”
Untitled California Attorney Gen. Opinion (1992). “, Wis. Stat. § 948.605 (1991) (gun-free school zones statute prohibiting the possession or discharge of firearms within 1,000 feet from school grounds); Mo.”
— Wis. Stat. § 948.605(1)(b) — 1 case
Dane Cnty. v. Jeramiah Bradley (Wis. Ct. App. 2025). “§ 948.605 because the case involved a school administration building, which is not included in the definition of “school” under WIS.”
— Wis. Stat. § 948.605(2)(a) — 2 cases
State v. Perez, 2000 WI App 115 (Wis. Ct. App. 2000). “§ 948.605(2)(a), which makes it a crime to possess a gun in a school zone; WIS.”
Dane Cnty. v. Jeramiah Bradley (Wis. Ct. App. 2025). “§ 948.605 because the case involved a school administration building, which is not included in the definition of “school” under WIS.”
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