South Dakota Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does South Dakota have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. There are no state bans on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, or ghost guns. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. Private transfers do not require background checks. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales. |
| Is South Dakota a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. SD observes Castle Doctrine/Stand‑Your‑Ground—no duty to retreat. |
| What kind of restrictions does South Dakota have? |
|
| Does South Dakota have any gun storage laws? | ⚠️ No statewide safe‑storage mandate, though child-access and negligent storage offenses exist. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in South Dakota? | ✅ Yes. No state-imposed quantity limits. |
| Does South Dakota have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. SD has not enacted Extreme Risk Protection (red‑flag) laws. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in South Dakota? | 🚫 No. There is no firearm registration requirement. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. No permit required; federal check handled at FFL point of sale. Gold Card optional for bypassing checks. |
| Does South Dakota have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No mandatory waiting period, only time taken to complete background check. |
🚫 No. There are no state bans on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, or ghost guns.
🚫 No. Private transfers do not require background checks.
✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales.
✅ Yes. SD observes Castle Doctrine/Stand‑Your‑Ground—no duty to retreat.
- ℹ️ Permitless carry (open & concealed) since July 1, 2019, for ages 18+.
- ℹ️ No waiting period for firearm purchases.
- ℹ️ Dealers must verify identity and submit to federal check.
⚠️ No statewide safe‑storage mandate, though child-access and negligent storage offenses exist.
✅ Yes. No state-imposed quantity limits.
🚫 No. SD has not enacted Extreme Risk Protection (red‑flag) laws.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. There is no firearm registration requirement.
🚫 No. No permit required; federal check handled at FFL point of sale. Gold Card optional for bypassing checks.
🚫 No mandatory waiting period, only time taken to complete background check.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does South Dakota allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for anyone 18+ who may lawfully possess a firearm. State preempts local restrictions. |
| Does South Dakota allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit (constitutional carry) for 18+. SD issues permits optionally for reciprocity. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, and batons are legal without a permit. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public places, vehicles, and private property with consent. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, courthouses, bars, legislature, school buses, and posted “no firearms” zones. |
| States honored? | ✅ Statutory recognition of all valid concealed carry permits from other states (no formal reciprocity needed). |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ SD permits are recognized in multiple states, including:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 5 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Optional. SD issues three permit types (regular, Gold Card, Enhanced), valid 5 years, for reciprocity or NICS exemption.
|
✅ Legal without a permit for anyone 18+ who may lawfully possess a firearm. State preempts local restrictions.
✅ Legal without a permit (constitutional carry) for 18+. SD issues permits optionally for reciprocity.
✅ Stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, and batons are legal without a permit.
✅ Most public places, vehicles, and private property with consent.
🚫 Schools, courthouses, bars, legislature, school buses, and posted “no firearms” zones.
✅ Statutory recognition of all valid concealed carry permits from other states (no formal reciprocity needed).
✅ SD permits are recognized in multiple states, including:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 5 Years.
🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns.
ℹ️ Optional. SD issues three permit types (regular, Gold Card, Enhanced), valid 5 years, for reciprocity or NICS exemption.
- Issued by Sheriff of the county in which the applicant resides.
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Online & In‑Person Training | |
| Hunter Education | |
| Hunter Education |
South Dakota Leadership
- Born: February 5, 1959 (Sturgis, SD)
- Term Started: January 25, 2025
- Previous Role: Lieutenant Governor (2019–2025), State Senator (2009–2015, 2017–2019), State Representative (2001–2009)
- Born: January 7, 1961 (Pierre, SD)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2005
- Committees:
- Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry
- Commerce Science and Transportation
- Finance
- Born: October 24, 1954 (Huron, SD)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2015
- Committees:
- Appropriations
- Armed Services
- Banking Housing and Urban Affairs
- Indian Affairs
- Select Committee on Intelligence