Shotgun laws by state
Short-barreled shotguns, 14-inch "firearms," feature bans, magazine limits, permits and waiting periods — in plain English, with the statute or official source linked.
Use official statutes and current agency guidanceFederal 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.
Not legal advice
Laws change and local rules (cities, counties) can add more. Use this as a starting point, then confirm with your state's official sources or an attorney. Federal rules apply everywhere — see the SBS & NFA guide.
All states at a glance
| State | Short-barreled shotguns | 14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14) | Semi-auto / feature rules | Magazine limits | Permit to buy | Waiting period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Alaska | Legal with NFA registration | Unclear — see notes | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Arizona | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Arkansas | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| California | Prohibited | Prohibited | Feature rules apply | Limit: 10 rounds | Permit / ID required | 10-day wait |
| Colorado | Unclear — see notes | Unclear — see notes | Feature rules apply | Limit: 15 rounds; shotgun: tube over 28 inches of shells, or detachable over 8 shells | No state permit | 3-day wait |
| Connecticut | Legal with NFA registration | Unclear — see notes | Feature rules apply | Limit: 10 rounds | Permit / ID required | No waiting period |
| Delaware | Prohibited | Unclear — see notes | Feature rules apply | Limit: 17 rounds | No state permit | No waiting period |
| District of Columbia | Prohibited | Unclear — see notes | Feature rules apply | Limit: 10 rounds | Permit / ID required | 10-day wait |
| Florida | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | 3-day wait |
| Georgia | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Hawaii | Prohibited | Unclear — see notes | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | Permit / ID required | 14-day wait |
| Idaho | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Illinois | Prohibited | Unclear — see notes | Feature rules apply | Limit: 10 rounds (long guns, including shotguns) | Permit / ID required | 3-day wait |
| Indiana | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Iowa | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Kansas | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Kentucky | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Louisiana | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Maine | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | 3-day wait |
| Maryland | Legal with NFA registration | Restricted | Feature rules apply | Limit: 10 rounds (detachable magazines) | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Massachusetts | Prohibited | Unclear — see notes | Feature rules apply | Limit: 5 shotgun shells (10 rounds for other ammunition) | Permit / ID required | No waiting period |
| Michigan | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Minnesota | Prohibited | Unclear — see notes | Feature rules apply | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Mississippi | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Missouri | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Montana | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Nebraska | Legal with NFA registration | Unclear — see notes | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Nevada | Legal with NFA registration | Unclear — see notes | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| New Hampshire | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| New Jersey | Prohibited | Unclear — see notes | Feature rules apply | Limit: 10 rounds | Permit / ID required | No waiting period |
| New Mexico | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | 7-day wait |
| New York | Prohibited | Unclear — see notes | Feature rules apply | Limit: 10 rounds | No state permit | No waiting period |
| North Carolina | Legal with NFA registration | Unclear — see notes | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| North Dakota | Legal with NFA registration | Unclear — see notes | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Ohio | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Oklahoma | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Oregon | Legal with NFA registration | Unclear — see notes | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Pennsylvania | Legal with NFA registration | Unclear — see notes | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Rhode Island | Prohibited | Legal | Feature rules apply | Limit: 10 rounds | No state permit | 7-day wait |
| South Carolina | Legal with NFA registration | Unclear — see notes | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| South Dakota | Legal with NFA registration | Unclear — see notes | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Tennessee | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Texas | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Utah | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Vermont | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | Limit: 10 rounds (long guns) | No state permit | 3-day wait |
| Virginia | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | Feature rules apply | Limit: 15 rounds | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Washington | Prohibited | Legal | Feature rules apply | Limit: 10 rounds | No state permit | 10-day wait |
| West Virginia | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Wisconsin | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
| Wyoming | Legal with NFA registration | Legal | No state feature ban | No limit for shotguns | No state permit | No waiting period |
no state restriction found · rules apply · prohibited · unclear — read the state page