South Dakota allows permitless concealed carry for those 18+ who can legally possess a firearm under S.D. Codified Laws § 23-7-7.1 (effective July 1, 2019). An Enhanced Concealed Carry Permit is optional for reciprocity (S.D. Codified Laws § 23-7-8.1). You must be 21, complete training, and pass a background check for the permit. Prohibited places include schools and courthouses (S.D. Codified Laws § 13-32-7). Violations of carry restrictions are misdemeanors (up to 1 year).
Costs: Enhanced permit fee is $100 for 5 years. Training is $100-$150. Total: $200-$250.
Processing Time: Up to 60 days.
Renewal: $50 every 5 years.
Reciprocity: South Dakota honors permits from all states; over 30 states honor South Dakota’s permit.
South Dakota has no state bans on assault weapons or large-capacity magazines (S.D. Codified Laws § 22-14-6). Machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers require federal ATF compliance (S.D. Codified Laws § 22-14-7). Violations of federal NFA rules are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: ATF tax stamp is $200 per item.
Processing Time: 6-12 months for ATF approval.
South Dakota complies with FOPA (18 U.S.C. § 926A). Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a case or trunk for transport. No state-specific restrictions beyond federal law apply.
Sources: [1]
South Dakota follows federal law for dealer sales requiring a background check under 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). Age minimum is 21 for handguns from dealers, 18 for possession or private sales, and 18 for long guns. No state waiting period or permit required. Private sales are unregulated. Violations of selling to prohibited persons (S.D. Codified Laws § 22-14-15) are felonies (up to 5 years).
Costs: Background check is free; dealers may charge $10-$25.
Processing Time: Instant, up to 3 days if delayed.
South Dakota imposes no state requirement for firearm registration under S.D. Codified Laws § 23-7-7, and there’s no mandate to report lost or stolen guns. However, certain restricted items like machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers—known as NFA items—fall under federal registration law per 26 U.S.C. § 5841. These must be registered with the ATF, a requirement South Dakota acknowledges in S.D. Codified Laws § 22-14-7. Violations of federal NFA registration rules are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: Federal tax stamp for NFA items is $200.
South Dakota has no general storage laws. It’s illegal to provide firearms to minors under 18 without parental consent (S.D. Codified Laws § 22-14-15.1). Violations of this restriction are misdemeanors (up to 1 year) or felonies (up to 5 years) if harm occurs.
Sources: [1]
South Dakota has a strong Castle Doctrine under S.D. Codified Laws § 22-18-4. Deadly force is justified in your home, vehicle, or business if you reasonably believe it’s necessary to prevent imminent harm. No duty to retreat applies in these cases or in public. Excessive force risks manslaughter (up to 20 years).
Sources: [1]