DE · checked October 18, 2026

Shotgun laws in Delaware

What Delaware 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

Sawed-off shotguns (barrel under 18 inches) are 'destructive weapons' and possessing one is a felony; the NFA-registration exception covers only research machine guns.[1]

11 Del. C. § 1444
14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14)Unclear — see notes

Delaware's definition covers a 'shotgun' with barrels under 18 inches, and no state guidance was found on whether non-NFA 14-inch 'firearms' fall under it.[1]

Semi-auto / feature rulesFeature rules apply

Semi-auto shotguns that accept a detachable magazine, or have a folding/telescoping stock plus a pistol grip or thumbhole, are banned 'copycat weapons'; so are revolving-cylinder shotguns and named models like the SPAS-12, Striker 12 and USAS-12.[2]

11 Del. C. § 1465
Magazine limitsLimit: 17 rounds

Magazines holding more than 17 rounds are banned; the only tube exclusion is for .22 rimfire, so the limit appears to cover shotgun magazines.[3]

Permit to buyNo state permit

Delaware's permit-to-purchase law (effective Nov. 16, 2025) applies to handguns only; no permit is needed for shotguns.[4]

Waiting periodNo waiting period

No general waiting period for long guns; Delaware is not on Giffords' list of states with waiting periods.[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.

Not legal advice

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

Sources

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

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 Spotted something out of date?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

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