State SBR law

Are short-barreled rifles legal in Michigan? (2026)

By Cole Harlan, EditorUpdated Oct 28, 2026How we verifyEditorial standards

Michigan bans making, transferring or possessing an SBR, with an exception for one "lawfully made, manufactured, transferred, or possessed under federal law." Then the law splits at 26 inches overall: shorter guns fall under pistol licensing, longer ones need a copy of the federal registration on hand. How that works for an SBR not registered after October 9 is not yet verified.

Not legal advice. This page summarizes Michigan statutes and federal guidance as of the date above. Local rules and your own circumstances can matter. Check with your dealer or a Michigan attorney if you're unsure.

The short answer

Felony unless lawful under federal law. MCL 750.224b: up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, or both.
26 inches or less overall: you must comply with the pistol licensing sections (MCL 28.422 and 28.422a).
Longer than 26 inches: you must have a copy of the federal registration when transporting or using it.
Bills HB 6285 and SB 1150 would repeal § 224b. Each has only been introduced and referred.

The statute

MCL 750.224b (the legislature's page reads "MCL Complete Through PA 114 of 2026"):

(1) "A person shall not make, manufacture, transfer, or possess a short-barreled shotgun or a short-barreled rifle."

(3) "Subsection (1) does not apply to a short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle that is lawfully made, manufactured, transferred, or possessed under federal law."

(4) "A person, excluding a manufacturer, lawfully making, transferring, or possessing a short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle that is 26 inches or less in length under this section shall comply with section 2 or 2a of 1927 PA 372, MCL 28.422 and 28.422a."

(5) "A person who possesses a short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle that is greater than 26 inches in length under this section shall possess a copy of the federal registration of that short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle while transporting or using that short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle and shall present that federal registration to a peace officer upon request by that peace officer."

How Michigan defines an SBR

MCL 750.222(k): "'Short-barreled rifle' means a rifle having 1 or more barrels less than 16 inches in length or a weapon made from a rifle, whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise, if the weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches." That tracks the federal 16-inch and 26-inch lines.

The 26-inch split comes from the pistol definition in 750.222(f): "a loaded or unloaded firearm that is 26 inches or less in length, or a loaded or unloaded firearm that by its construction and appearance conceals itself as a firearm." Under MCL 28.422(1)(a), a person shall not "Purchase, carry, possess, or transport a pistol in this state without first having obtained a license for the pistol as prescribed in this section."

Penalty

Subsection (2): a felony "punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $2,500.00, or both." Subsection (6) makes the missing-registration-copy situation a state civil infraction with a fine of up to $100, immediate seizure of the gun, and 45 days to display the registration or face forfeiture.

Is legality tied to federal registration?

Subsection (3) says "lawfully made, manufactured, transferred, or possessed under federal law," and subsection (5) literally refers to "federal registration." ATF's October 9, 2026 open letter says it stopped enforcing Form 1 and Form 4 approval and registration for SBRs, SBSs, suppressors and AOWs. Voluntary forms are still processed. How subsection (5) works for an SBR that isn't registered after October 9: Not yet verified. We found no Michigan Attorney General opinion on SBRs. Our Michigan suppressor guide covers the state's related questions.

HB 6285 and SB 1150 would repeal MCL 750.224b. As of October 23, 2026 (per the suppressor guide), each had been introduced and referred to committee only.

Hunting

SBR-specific hunting rules: Not yet verified. Per our suppressor guide, suppressor hunting has been legal in Michigan since 2016.

Other laws that interact

Pistol licensing is the main one. If your SBR is 26 inches or less overall, subsection (4) sends you to MCL 28.422 and 28.422a. A lawfully possessed SBR over 26 inches skips the pistol license but needs the registration copy under subsection (5).

Braced pistols

The state statutes cited here don't mention pistol braces.

Federal process in 2026

The making and transfer tax on SBRs has been $0 since January 1, 2026.
ATF stopped Form 1 and Form 4 enforcement on October 9. Voluntary forms are still processed. See NFA wait times.
Dealers use a Form 4473 and NICS check. ATF won't enforce 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(4) "Until final rules are issued."
"For now," interstate transport still needs an approved Form 20 (18 U.S.C. 922(a)(4)).
A dealer can't sell where state law forbids it (18 U.S.C. 922(b)(2)).

ATF says there is no automatic grandfathering if enforcement resumes. Full detail is on our SBR rules 2026 page, and you can compare states with the state NFA checker.

Checked against the official statute text on October 28, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-barreled rifles legal in Michigan?

MCL 750.224b bars making, manufacturing, transferring or possessing an SBR, but subsection (3) excepts one lawfully made, manufactured, transferred or possessed under federal law. A violation is a felony with up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to $2,500, or both.

What is the 26-inch rule for SBRs in Michigan?

A lawful SBR that is 26 inches or less in length must comply with the pistol licensing sections, MCL 28.422 and 28.422a. One longer than 26 inches requires a copy of the federal registration while transporting or using it.

Does Michigan require federal registration for an SBR?

Subsection (5) refers to a copy of the federal registration for SBRs over 26 inches. How it applies to an SBR not registered after ATF's October 9, 2026 change is not yet verified, and we found no Attorney General opinion on SBRs.

Is there a bill to repeal Michigan's SBR law?

HB 6285 and SB 1150 would repeal MCL 750.224b. As of October 23, 2026, each had only been introduced and referred.

Do I need a Form 20 to bring an SBR into or out of Michigan?

According to ATF's fact sheet, "For now," transporting an SBR across state lines still requires an approved Form 20.

Are short-barreled rifles legal in Michigan? (2026)

The short answer

The statute

How Michigan defines an SBR

Penalty

Is legality tied to federal registration?

Hunting

Other laws that interact

Braced pistols

Federal process in 2026

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Keep exploring

Are short-barreled rifles legal in Michigan? (2026)

The short answer

The statute

How Michigan defines an SBR

Penalty

Is legality tied to federal registration?

Hunting

Other laws that interact

Braced pistols

Federal process in 2026

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Keep exploring

The Gun Release Report