IL · checked October 18, 2026

Shotgun laws in Illinois

What Illinois 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 shotgunsProhibited

Illinois makes it unlawful to possess a shotgun with a barrel under 18 inches or a weapon made from a rifle or shotgun under 26 inches overall; the statutory exemptions cover police, military, licensed manufacturers and similar groups, and the curio/relic exemption covers only short rifles, so federal NFA registration alone does not make an SBS legal for a resident.[1]

720 ILCS 5/24-1(a)(7)(ii); 720 ILCS 5/24-2(c)
14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14)Unclear — see notes

The pump-action design is not covered by the PICA semiautomatic rules, but the sources reviewed do not say whether Illinois's short-shotgun ban (barrel under 18 inches, or a weapon made from a shotgun under 26 inches overall) reaches a factory 14-inch non-NFA 'firearm'. A FOID card would be required in any case.[1]

Semi-auto / feature rulesFeature rules apply

Under the Protect Illinois Communities Act, a semiautomatic shotgun is an 'assault weapon' if it has any one of these: a pistol grip or thumbhole stock, a protruding grip for the non-trigger hand, a folding or thumbhole stock, a grenade launcher, a fixed magazine holding more than 5 rounds, or the ability to accept a detachable magazine. Every revolving-cylinder shotgun is covered, as are listed models (e.g. SPAS-12, LAW-12, Saiga-12 types, Streetsweeper, Striker-12). Guns owned before the law are allowed only with an endorsement affidavit filed with ISP.[2]

720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(a)(1)(E),(F),(L); 24-1.9(b)-(d)
Magazine limitsLimit: 10 rounds (long guns, including shotguns)

Feeding devices holding more than 10 rounds for long guns, shotguns included, are restricted. Devices owned before Jan. 11, 2023 may be kept subject to location limits, and new purchases are generally not allowed.[3]

Permit to buyPermit / ID required

A Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card is generally required to acquire or possess any firearm or ammunition in Illinois, shotguns included.[4]

Waiting period3-day wait

A 72-hour waiting period applies to firearm deliveries generally, long guns included. There is a narrow exception for long-gun sales by dealers to competitors at certain World Shooting Complex events.[5]

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.

Also know

The Seventh Circuit upheld the PICA assault-weapon and magazine ban on July 9, 2026 (Barnett v. Raoul, 2-1), reversing a 2024 district-court ruling. Separately, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed in July 2026 to hear Viramontes v. Cook County, a challenge to Cook County, Illinois's assault-weapon ordinance, which could affect bans like this one.

Not legal advice

This is a plain-English summary. Cities and counties can add rules, and laws change. Confirm with Illinois'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 Illinois's rules on your matches — or compare every model.

Sources

  1. Illinois — Short-barreled shotguns (secondary source)
  2. Illinois — Semi-auto / feature rules
  3. Illinois — Magazine limits
  4. Illinois — Permit to buy (secondary source)
  5. Illinois — Waiting period (secondary source)

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

Other states