Short-Barreled Rifles and Shotguns in Connecticut

Legal Status of SBRs and SBSs in Connecticut

ATF no longer enforces the specified federal NFA making, transfer and registration requirements for short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) under its October 9, 2026 policy. Federal registration remains available voluntarily, and Connecticut restrictions still apply. ATF October 9 guidance Under 26 U.S.C. § 5845, the NFA covers rifles with barrels under 16 inches and shotguns with barrels under 18 inches. It separately covers weapons made from rifles if, as modified, their overall length is under 26 inches or their barrels are under 16 inches, and weapons made from shotguns if, as modified, their overall length is under 26 inches or their barrels are under 18 inches.^[1]

For short-barreled shotguns specifically, CGS Section 53a-211 makes owning, controlling or possessing a sawed-off shotgun with a barrel of less than 18 inches or an overall length of less than 26 inches a Class D felony. However, the statute exempts persons "licensed or otherwise permitted by federal or state law" to possess such firearms.^[2] ATF does not determine whether an unregistered SBS held under federal nonenforcement satisfies this state-law exception. ATF October 9 guidance

Federal NFA registration remains available voluntarily for SBRs under ATF policy. That policy does not determine compliance with Connecticut possession restrictions. ATF October 9 guidance^[3]

Assault Weapon Compliance for SBRs

SBRs and SBSs are not categorically banned in Connecticut, but a firearm that meets the assault weapon definition under CGS 53-202a may be possessed only under an applicable exception to CGS 53-202c. After HB 6667 (2023), the assault weapon definition was expanded to include additional feature-based tests for semiautomatic firearms.^[4]

The following configurations remain subject to the applicable assault weapon definitions and possession exceptions.^[5]

• Manual action SBRs: Bolt-action, lever-action, and other manually operated rifles are not subject to the assault weapon features test and may be configured as SBRs only if other applicable federal and state restrictions are satisfied.
• Featureless semiautomatic SBRs: Semiautomatic SBRs that lack the enumerated assault weapon features (such as pistol grips, folding or telescoping stocks, and flash suppressors) may be compliant if they are not named models and do not meet another assault weapon definition under CGS 53-202a. The 30-inch minimum overall length applies to semiautomatic centerfire rifles.
• Fixed-magazine semiautomatic SBRs: Semiautomatic SBRs with a fixed magazine (not capable of accepting a detachable magazine) may be compliant if they do not meet another assault weapon definition under CGS 53-202a, including the definition covering semiautomatic centerfire rifles with fixed magazines that can accept more than ten rounds. The 30-inch minimum overall length applies to semiautomatic centerfire rifles.

Connecticut's definition of a "pistol" covers any firearm with a barrel length under 12 inches. This means that a rifle being converted to an SBR should generally maintain a barrel length of at least 12 inches to avoid reclassification as a pistol under state law.^[5]

Federal Registration Process

The following describes the NFA registration pathways still available voluntarily for SBRs and SBSs under ATF policy. Connecticut restrictions must be checked separately. ATF October 9 guidance

• ATF Form 1 (Making): Used when an individual manufactures an SBR by shortening the barrel of an existing rifle or assembling a rifle with a short barrel. ATF no longer enforces the federal NFA prior-approval requirement for making an SBR or SBS under its October 9, 2026 policy. ATF October 9 guidance^[6]
• ATF Form 4 (Transfer): Used when purchasing an existing SBR or SBS from a dealer or individual. ATF no longer enforces the specified NFA transfer approval and registration requirements for SBRs and SBSs. Applicable GCA dealer-transfer requirements remain. ATF October 9 guidance^[7]

The federal NFA making tax was historically $200 per item under 26 U.S.C. § 5821, while the transfer tax under 26 U.S.C. § 5811 was $200 except for a $5 transfer tax on AOWs. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, signed July 4, 2025) reduced both taxes to $0 for SBRs, SBSs, suppressors, and AOWs, effective January 1, 2026. The $200 tax still applies to machine guns and destructive devices. ATF no longer enforces specified NFA making, transfer and registration requirements for the covered zero-tax categories. Dealer transfers remain subject to applicable Form 4473 and NICS requirements. Interstate transportation of SBRs and SBSs still requires Form 20 under the GCA, even when they are unregistered. ATF October 9 guidance^[11]

The "Other Firearm" Issue Post-HB 6667

HB 6667 expanded the assault weapon definition to include any semiautomatic firearm other than a pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun that has at least one listed feature, including an arm brace or other stabilizing brace that could allow such firearm to be fired from the shoulder.^[4]

Persons who lawfully possessed a 2023 assault weapon on June 5, 2023 generally had to apply for a certificate of possession by May 1, 2024. Qualifying military members who could not apply because they were on official duty outside Connecticut had ninety days after returning to apply. CGS 53-202d provided a temporary certificate of possession pathway for eligible owners with an unprocessed ATF Form 1 application, with applications due by May 1, 2024.^[5]

Penalties

CGS 53a-211 makes possession of a sawed-off shotgun a Class D felony unless its federal or state-law exception applies, carrying up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.^[2] ATF no longer enforces specified NFA registration-related prohibitions for SBRs and SBSs under its October 9, 2026 policy. The NFA statute remains in place, and state possession restrictions still apply. ATF October 9 guidance^[9] Unlawful possession of an SBR or SBS that also meets the assault weapon definition under CGS 53-202a is generally a Class D felony under CGS 53-202c, with a term of imprisonment of which one year may not be suspended or reduced by the court. A first-time violation is a Class A misdemeanor if the person presents proof that the person lawfully possessed the assault weapon before October 1, 1993, on April 4, 2013, or on June 5, 2023, depending on the assault weapon definition it meets, and has otherwise possessed it in compliance with the conditions in CGS 53-202d(f).^[10]

See also: Connecticut NFA Compliance Overview