NY · checked October 18, 2026

Shotgun laws in New York

What New York 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

New York classifies a shotgun with a barrel under 18 inches (or one made from a shotgun under 26 in. overall) as a 'firearm', and state law offers licenses only for pistols/revolvers and semi-automatic rifles, so there is no lawful path for a private resident even with NFA registration.[1]

N.Y. Penal Law §§ 265.00(3), 400.00(2)
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 York's 'firearm' definition targets a 'shotgun' (defined as shoulder-fired) with a short barrel or a weapon made from a shotgun under 26 inches overall, and how that applies to a factory 14-inch 'firearm' wasn't confirmed. No state agency guidance was found.[2]

Semi-auto / feature rulesFeature rules apply

A semi-automatic shotgun is an 'assault weapon' with any one of: folding/telescoping stock, thumbhole stock, second handgrip or protruding grip for the non-trigger hand, fixed magazine over seven rounds, or ability to take a detachable magazine. Revolving-cylinder shotguns are also assault weapons.[2]

N.Y. Penal Law § 265.00(22)(b), (d)
Magazine limitsLimit: 10 rounds

Feeding devices that hold, or can readily be converted to hold, more than 10 rounds are banned; the only tube exclusion is for .22 rimfire, so shotgun magazines are covered.[2]

Permit to buyNo state permit

No state license is needed to buy a shotgun (the state license covers handguns and semi-automatic rifles), but New York City requires a permit for rifles and shotguns.[3]

Waiting periodNo waiting period

No fixed waiting period, but a dealer may not deliver a firearm until the background check returns 'proceed' or 30 calendar days pass without a denial.[1]

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

NYC requires a permit for all rifles and shotguns; grandfathered assault weapons had to be registered and recertified every five years.

Not legal advice

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

Sources

  1. New York — Short-barreled shotguns
  2. New York — 14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14)
  3. New York — Permit to buy (secondary source)

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 Spotted something out of date?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

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