VA · checked October 18, 2026

Shotgun laws in Virginia

What Virginia 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

Sawed-off shotguns (shoulder-fired, barrel under 18 in.) are restricted, but the restrictions don't apply to anyone possessing one 'in compliance with federal law', such as an NFA-registered gun.[1]

Va. Code §§ 18.2-299, 18.2-303.1
14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14)Legal

Virginia's sawed-off shotgun definition only covers guns designed to be fired from the shoulder. The 2026 assault-firearm law excludes pump-action guns, so a pump-action non-NFA 14 in. 'firearm' does not appear to be restricted. This is a reading of the definitions.[2]

Semi-auto / feature rulesFeature rules apply

The 2026 law (HB 217/SB 749) bans importing, selling, making, buying or transferring a semi-auto shotgun with a folding or telescoping stock, a thumbhole stock, a protruding pistol grip, a detachable magazine, or a fixed magazine over 15 rounds, plus any revolving-cylinder shotgun. Guns owned before July 1, 2026 are grandfathered. A statewide preliminary injunction (effective July 21, 2026) blocks enforcement while the U.S. Supreme Court weighs assault weapon bans. Separately, the Striker 12/'Streetsweeper'-type drum shotgun has been banned outright since 1993.[3]

Va. Code §§ 18.2-308.2:2, 18.2-287.4:1, 18.2-308.8 (2026 Acts cc. 1106, 1107)
Magazine limitsLimit: 15 rounds

Importing, selling, transferring or buying any feeding device over 15 rounds is banned; possession is not, and only .22 rimfire tubes are excluded. Magazines owned before July 1, 2026 are grandfathered. Enforcement is currently blocked by the same statewide injunction.[4]

Permit to buyNo state permit

No permit or license is needed to buy a shotgun; no licensing bill was enacted in 2026.[5]

Waiting periodNo waiting period

No state waiting period; Virginia 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.

Also know

Injunction status comes from the Hanover County 'Assault Weapon Legislation Status' page (https://www.hanovercounty.gov/1739/Assault-Weapon-Legislation-Status) and VPM reporting (July 30, 2026). A related ban on carrying 'assault firearms' in public was delayed to July 1, 2027.

Not legal advice

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

Sources

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

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

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