AL · checked October 18, 2026

Shotgun laws in Alabama

What Alabama adds on top of federal law: short-barreled shotguns, 14-inch "firearms," feature rules, magazine limits, permits and waiting periods.

Decorative editorial illustration for the state shotgun law referenceVerify the current state and federal rules with official sources
Federal update — Oct 9, 2026

ATF says it is no longer enforcing federal NFA approval or registration for short-barreled shotguns. That does not change state law: where a state only allows SBSs that are registered under the NFA, you still need that registration to be legal under state law. What changed.

Short-barreled shotgunsLegal with NFA registration

Alabama makes it a felony to possess a short-barreled shotgun only in violation of federal law, so an NFA-registered one is legal.[1]

Ala. Code § 13A-11-63; definitions § 13A-11-62
14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14)Legal

Alabama defines a 'shotgun' as shoulder-fired, and its short-barreled shotgun crime is tied to federal law, so non-NFA 14-inch 'firearms' are not covered by any state rule found.[2]

Semi-auto / feature rulesNo state feature ban

Alabama has no state 'assault weapon' or feature restrictions on shotguns.[1]

Magazine limitsNo limit for shotguns

Alabama has no state magazine capacity limit.[1]

Permit to buyNo state permit

No state permit or license is needed to buy a shotgun in Alabama.[1]

Waiting periodNo waiting period

No state waiting period; Alabama is not on Giffords' list of states with waiting periods.[3]

Where a state has no official guidance on a point, the summary says what the statute text appears to say, and marks it unclear when it can't be read either way.

Not legal advice

This is a plain-English summary. Cities and counties can add rules, and laws change. Confirm with Alabama's official sources or a licensed attorney before you buy, build or travel.

Federal rules that apply everywhere

  • Under the National Firearms Act, a 'shotgun' is a weapon designed and intended to be fired from the shoulder that uses a fixed shotgun shell to fire shot or a single projectile through a smooth bore with each pull of the trigger. source
  • The Gun Control Act uses nearly the same definition: a shotgun is designed and intended to be fired from the shoulder and fires shot or a single projectile through a smooth bore for each pull of the trigger. source
  • Federal law defines a short-barreled shotgun as a shotgun with a barrel under 18 inches, or any weapon made from a shotgun with an overall length under 26 inches. source
  • The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the law that cut the NFA tax, is Public Law 119-21 and was approved on July 4, 2025. source

Shotguns to consider

Use the 3-step quiz — it flags Alabama's rules on your matches — or compare every model.

Sources

  1. Alabama — Short-barreled shotguns (secondary source)
  2. Alabama — 14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14) (secondary source)
  3. Alabama — Waiting period (secondary source)

Last checked October 18, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Send a correction.

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