Today, in a big win for your constitutional Right to Carry, the South Dakota House of Representatives passed HB 1116 by a 44 to 23 vote. This NRA-backed permitless carry legislation will now be sent to the state Senate for committee referral.
Authored by Representative Jim Stalzer (R-11), House Bill 1116 respects your right to legally carry a concealed firearm without the burdensome requirement of acquiring a concealed pistol permit. This necessary update to South Dakota law allows law-abiding gun owners the ability to protect themselves and their loved ones.
In South Dakota, it is already legal to carry a firearm openly, as long as the individual is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. However, under current law, if a firearm becomes covered by a coat or if a woman prefers to carry a firearm for self-protection in her purse, one would need to possess a concealed pistol permit.
This permitless carry legislation gives South Dakotans the freedom to choose the best method of carrying for them, based on their attire, gender and/or physical attributes. However, this legislation would also keep in place the current permitting system so that people who obtain a permit could still enjoy the reciprocity agreements that South Dakota has with other states.
Please thank those state Representatives who voted in support of this important legislation, and begin contacting your state Senator to urge them to vote for HB 1116 when it comes before them. Your NRA-ILA will keep you updated as this legislation progresses and is assigned to a Senate committee.
To identify who represents you, click here.
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