NM · checked October 18, 2026

Shotgun laws in New Mexico

What New Mexico 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

No section in New Mexico's weapons article (NMSA Ch. 30, Art. 7, 2025) addresses short-barreled or sawed-off shotguns, so federal NFA rules govern; this is based on section titles only.[1]

14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14)Legal

No New Mexico law restricting short shotguns or 14-inch 'firearms' was found, and NM has no assault-weapon or magazine laws.[2]

Semi-auto / feature rulesNo state feature ban

New Mexico is not among the states Giffords lists as banning or regulating assault weapons, so no state feature rules for shotguns were found.[3]

Magazine limitsNo limit for shotguns

New Mexico is not among the 15 states (plus DC) Giffords lists as limiting magazine capacity.[4]

Permit to buyNo state permit

New Mexico is not among the states Giffords lists as requiring a license or permit to buy long guns; a federal background check applies at dealers.[5]

Waiting period7-day wait

A 7-day waiting period (2024) applies to firearm sales, with exceptions such as concealed-carry license holders. Courts held it unconstitutional (10th Cir. Aug. 2025; final judgment Aug. 27, 2026), but relief covers only the two plaintiffs and the state says the law stays in effect for everyone else while it weighs an appeal.[6]

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

Waiting period: N.M. Stat. § 30-7-7.3 (Ortega v. Lujan Grisham); a Feb. 9, 2026 injunction order posted by NM DPS likewise limits relief to the named plaintiffs.

Not legal advice

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

Sources

  1. New Mexico — Short-barreled shotguns (secondary source)
  2. New Mexico — 14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14) (secondary source)
  3. New Mexico — Semi-auto / feature rules (secondary source)
  4. New Mexico — Magazine limits (secondary source)
  5. New Mexico — Permit to buy (secondary source)
  6. New Mexico — Waiting period (secondary source)

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 Spotted something out of date?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

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