Purchasing a shotgun requires presenting a valid, government-issued photo identification proving physical New Hampshire residency. The buyer fills out standard federal transfer paperwork at the local shop. A mandatory background check is then performed to ensure the transaction is completely legal before the firearm changes hands.

A pump-action shotgun requires the user to manually slide the forearm backward and forward to eject a spent shell and load a new one. A semi-automatic shotgun uses the energy from the fired shell to automatically load the next round, allowing for faster follow-up shots.

Shorter barrels make a shotgun much easier to maneuver through tight hallways and small rooms during a defensive situation. Longer barrels provide a longer sight radius and keep shot patterns tighter over long distances, which is highly beneficial for hunting but clumsy for indoor security.

Hunters in New Hampshire frequently use shotguns to pursue wild turkey, waterfowl, and upland birds. Many hunters also rely on shotguns firing slugs to safely harvest white-tailed deer in areas where state regulations restrict the use of high-powered rifles for safety reasons.

An online buyer selects a licensed local dealer to accept the shipment. The receiving shop logs the delivery into their federal inventory books. The purchaser then arrives in person with their valid identification to complete the necessary background check before legally taking the shotgun home.