South Dakota: 2015 Session has Adjourned

The 2015 South Dakota legislative session adjourned today, with anti-gun members of the Senate Judiciary Committee dismissing pro-gun House Bill 1205.  HB 1205 would have required that certification by a chief law enforcement officer (CLEO), when a signoff is required for the transfer of a firearm or other item regulated by the National Firearms Act ("NFA"), be provided within 15 days as long as the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving the firearm or other item. 

The same committee at the end of February dismissed two other pro-gun, NRA-backed bills,  House Bill 1116 and House Bill 1096 by a 5 to 1 vote and 6 to 1 vote, respectively.  HB 1116 would have allowed law-abiding South Dakotans to carry a concealed firearm without the burdensome requirement of acquiring a concealed pistol permit, granting gun owners better ability to protect themselves and their loved ones from harm.  HB 1096 would have switched the state background check system to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for concealed pistol permit applications, allowing the state to apply for NICS exemption from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE).  If certified by the BATFE, this exemption would have allowed the initial background check done for a South Dakota concealed pistol permit to serve as a background check for all future firearm purchases, eliminating the duplicative process.

It’s very unfortunate that anti-gun legislators on the Senate Judiciary Committee ignored overwhelming votes in the House of Representatives and the rights of gun owners in South Dakota and voted against these common sense reforms.  However, NRA thanks you for your active involvement and support for these bills as they have progressed through the legislative process.  NRA also would like to thank Senator Jeff Monroe (R-24), who was the only state Senator on the committee to stand up for your rights and vote in support of HB 1116, HB 1096 and HB 1205.

Please contact Senator Monroe and thank him for his active support of your Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

Senator Jeff Monroe (R-24)
Office Phone: 605-773-3821 
Email