NJ · checked October 18, 2026

Shotgun laws in New Jersey

What New Jersey 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

Possessing a sawed-off shotgun (barrel under 18 in., or a firearm made from a shotgun under 26 in. overall) is a crime; the only exemption covers military and law enforcement on duty, with no exception for federal NFA registration.[1]

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(b), 2C:39-3(g)
14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14)Unclear — see notes

ATF treats these as non-NFA 'firearms' (per its 2017 letter quoted by American Rifleman), but New Jersey's sawed-off definition and assault-firearm rules haven't been confirmed to address 14-inch non-NFA 'firearms' in sources checked, and buyers would also need an FPIC. No state agency guidance was found.[1]

Semi-auto / feature rulesFeature rules apply

A semi-automatic shotgun is an 'assault firearm' if it has any one of: magazine capacity over six rounds, a pistol grip, or a folding stock. A July 2026 Third Circuit ruling struck the rifle provisions but sent the other categories back to the district court, and the ruling is stayed.[2]

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(w)(3)
Magazine limitsLimit: 10 rounds

A 'large capacity magazine' is any box, drum, tube or other container holding more than 10 rounds that feeds a semi-automatic firearm, which covers semi-auto shotguns. The Third Circuit held the limit unconstitutional in July 2026 but stayed its ruling on Aug. 4, 2026, so it stays in force while NJ seeks Supreme Court review.[3]

Permit to buyPermit / ID required

Buying a rifle or shotgun requires a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC), which covers unlimited long-gun purchases and must be issued within 30 days (45 for non-residents).[4]

Waiting periodNo waiting period

No per-purchase waiting period for long guns; NJ's 7-day wait applies only to handguns, though getting the FPIC itself can take up to 30 days.[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

Ass'n of N.J. Rifle & Pistol Clubs v. New Jersey (3d Cir. en banc, July 17, 2026) struck the semi-auto rifle and magazine bans but is stayed pending Supreme Court review; shotgun provisions were not decided.

Not legal advice

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

Sources

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

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

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