MI · checked October 18, 2026

Shotgun laws in Michigan

What Michigan 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

Michigan's ban on making, transferring or possessing short-barreled shotguns does not apply to one lawfully made or possessed under federal law. Owners must carry a copy of the federal registration while transporting or using it.[1]

MCL 750.224b(1), (3), (5)
14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14)Legal

Michigan's short-shotgun ban exempts any firearm lawfully possessed under federal law, so it adds no restriction beyond federal classification. No Michigan statute specific to these firearms was found.[1]

Semi-auto / feature rulesNo state feature ban

Giffords lists assault weapon restrictions among the laws Michigan does not have.[2]

Magazine limitsNo limit for shotguns

Giffords lists a large-capacity magazine ban among the laws Michigan does not have.[2]

Permit to buyNo state permit

Since 2024, the license-to-purchase law covers all firearms, but long guns bought from a federally licensed dealer (who runs a NICS check) are exempt. A private-party long-gun purchase generally requires a License to Purchase unless the buyer holds a Michigan CPL.[3]

Waiting periodNo waiting period

Michigan has no waiting period for firearm sales.[4]

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 text of MCL 28.422 itself lists no dealer/NICS exemption for long guns. The exemption is described by Giffords and by local police guidance, so verify the exact statute before relying on it.

Not legal advice

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

Sources

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

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 Spotted something out of date?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

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