ID · checked October 18, 2026

Shotgun laws in Idaho

What Idaho 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

Idaho has no adult short-barreled shotgun restriction, so federal NFA rules control; only people under 18 are barred from having sawed-off shotguns.[1]

Idaho Code § 18-3302F (minors only)
14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14)Legal

No Idaho statute covering short-barreled shotguns or similar firearms for adults was found, so non-NFA 14-inch 'firearms' follow federal law.[2]

Semi-auto / feature rulesNo state feature ban

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

Magazine limitsNo limit for shotguns

Idaho has no state magazine capacity limit.[1]

Permit to buyNo state permit

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

Waiting periodNo waiting period

No state waiting period; Idaho 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.

Also know

Idaho's constitution bars licensing or registration of firearm ownership.

Not legal advice

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

Sources

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

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 Spotted something out of date?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

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