SD · checked October 18, 2026

Shotgun laws in South Dakota

What South Dakota 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

A 'short shotgun' (barrel under 18 in. or overall length under 26 in.) is a controlled weapon, and possessing one is a Class 6 felony. The law exempts anyone with federal authorization or who has filed a federal registration for the weapon.[1]

SDCL §§ 22-1-2(8), (47); 22-14-6
14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14)Unclear — see notes

No state law specifically addresses them. South Dakota's 'short shotgun' definition uses the word 'shotgun' without defining it, so it's unclear whether a non-shoulder-fired 14 in. 'firearm' counts.[2]

Semi-auto / feature rulesNo state feature ban

South Dakota has no assault weapon or semi-auto feature law; it is not on Giffords' list of states that ban or regulate assault weapons (page updated Sept. 2026).[3]

Magazine limitsNo limit for shotguns

South Dakota has no magazine capacity limit; it is not among the 15 states Giffords lists as restricting large-capacity magazines (page updated Sept. 2026).[4]

Permit to buyNo state permit

No state permit or license is needed to buy a shotgun in South Dakota.[5]

Waiting periodNo waiting period

No state waiting period; South Dakota is not among the states Giffords lists with waiting periods (page updated Aug. 2026). The federal background check still applies at dealers.[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.

Not legal advice

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

Sources

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

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 Spotted something out of date?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

Other states