Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR) Legal States 2025

What Is a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR)?

There are a lot of people in the United States who enjoy owning a gun, either for hunting or for self-defense purposes, and one of the most popular options is a short-barreled rifle, also known as an SBR. This is a weapon that has a shorter barrel than most rifles, which can make it easier to use in some situations.

For home defense purposes, a typical rifle with a long gun is just not going to be practical. It can be very difficult to aim in tight quarters. That is where the SBR can be a bit easier to use. At the same time, not every state allows the SBR to be used by civilians. If you are interested in owning one, you need to know the regulations in your local area.

In Which States Is an SBR Legal?

An SBR is a Title II weapon according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. (ATF) This means that unless there is a state or local restriction on ownership, SBRs are allowed to be owned.

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin all have restrictions against the ownership of SBRs. They are also not allowed in the District of Columbia.

If the state is not mentioned in the list above, civilians should be able to own an SBR; however, there might be some county or city regulations that preclude someone from owning an SBR in some situations. There is also a lot of paperwork associated with owning an SBR, so civilians need to check the local laws.

Is an SBR Safe?

While an SBR is safe in the hands of someone who is trained on how to use it, it must be used with caution. It is critical for people to go through training or take a few classes to learn how to use this weapon. Furthermore, there are some situations where an SBR might have been sawed extremely short. This could increase the amount of “kick” the gun has, so users need to be ready for it. Of course, when people are not using this gun, it needs to be locked up safely so that others cannot get it. This is particularly important for people who live with children.

Is an SBR the Same as an SBS?

No, these two guns are not the same. An SBR is a short-barrel rifle. An SBS is a short-barrel shotgun. Most states have laws that regulate SBRs and SBSs differently. Therefore, anyone who is interested in owning an SBR should not automatically assume that they are going to be allowed to own an SBS as well.

When taking a look at the regulations, there are states where an SBR is allowed, but an SBS might not be. Furthermore, an SBS can cause some very heinous wounds, so safety is paramount. While an SBS might be better for self-defense purposes in some situations, that is not always the case. Regardless, safety always has to come first when using either of these weapons.