Legal Status of SBRs and SBSs in Connecticut
Short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) are legal to own in Connecticut with proper federal National Firearms Act (NFA) registration. Under federal law, an SBR is a rifle with a barrel length of less than 16 inches or an overall length of less than 26 inches, and an SBS is a shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches or an overall length of less than 26 inches.[1]
For short-barreled shotguns specifically, CGS Section 53a-211 makes possession of a "sawed-off shotgun" -- defined as a 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] This exemption allows individuals with valid NFA registration to own SBSs legally in Connecticut.
Short-barreled rifles are not specifically addressed in CGS 53a-211 but are permitted under Connecticut law when properly registered as NFA items at the federal level.[3]
Assault Weapon Compliance for SBRs
While SBRs and SBSs are not categorically banned in Connecticut, owners must ensure their specific configuration does not meet the state's assault weapon definition under CGS 53-202a. After HB 6667 (2023), the assault weapon definition was expanded to include additional feature-based tests for semiautomatic firearms.[4]
For semiautomatic SBRs, Connecticut law generally permits three compliant configurations:[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 without additional restrictions.
- 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, though they must still meet a minimum overall length of 30 inches.
- Fixed-magazine semiautomatic SBRs: Semiautomatic SBRs with a fixed magazine (not capable of accepting a detachable magazine) may be compliant, subject to the same overall length requirements.
Importantly, 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
To legally manufacture or acquire an SBR or SBS in Connecticut, the owner must complete the applicable NFA registration process:
- 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. The applicant must receive approval before making the firearm.[6]
- ATF Form 4 (Transfer): Used when purchasing an existing SBR or SBS from a dealer or individual. The transfer must be processed through a licensed Class III dealer.[7]
The federal NFA transfer and making tax was historically $200 per item under 26 U.S.C. § 5811 and § 5821. 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. The background check, fingerprinting, and registration requirements remain in effect for all NFA transfers.[8]
The "Other Firearm" Issue Post-HB 6667
Prior to HB 6667 (2023), many Connecticut gun owners used "other firearms" -- configurations that fell outside the legal definitions of both rifles and pistols under state law -- to avoid assault weapon restrictions. HB 6667 expanded the assault weapon definition to capture many of these configurations, including firearms with arm braces or stabilizing braces.[9]
Owners of affected firearms were required to register them as assault weapons by May 1, 2024, convert them to a compliant configuration, or face potential felony charges. Some owners have since explored converting these firearms to registered SBRs through the federal NFA process as a compliance pathway.[5]
Penalties
Possession of an unregistered SBS in Connecticut is a Class D felony under CGS 53a-211, carrying up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.[2] Possession of an unregistered NFA firearm also violates federal law under 26 U.S.C. Section 5871, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.[10] An SBR or SBS that also meets the assault weapon definition under CGS 53-202a may additionally be prosecuted as an unregistered assault weapon, which is a Class D felony with a mandatory minimum one-year sentence under CGS 53-202c.[11]
See also: Connecticut NFA Compliance Overview