Posted on 03/06/2012 6:18:14 AM PST by marktwain
House Bill 1248, passed the South Dakota Legislature last Tuesday awaits Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s signature or veto.
If Gov. Daugaard signs the law, South Dakotans will bypass a layer of bureaucracy, including a background check and fee, before being able to carry a concealed weapon.
Anyone with a valid South Dakota driver’s license who isn’t disqualified from carrying a concealed weapon – including convicted felons, people with a “history of violence” and people with mental illness – will be able to carry a concealed weapon without the permit under the state law and the U.S. Constitution.
South Dakota law does not require permits to own guns, keep or bear them in a home or business or carry guns openly. However, the law currently requires that people have permits to carry concealed guns.
Permits still will be available for people who want one. Many other states recognize South Dakota concealed weapon permits as valid, and travelers would need a permit in order to carry concealed weapons those states. If the bill is signed into law, it would make South Dakota the fifth state to not require a concealed carry permit. Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming don’t require permits to carry concealed weapons.
The bill won’t change where people are allowed to carry a weapon. It will still be against the law to possess a firearm inside a courthouse or to possess a loaded firearm while intoxicated.
Federal laws requiring background checks for people buying firearms remain.
Supporters say it is a matter of giving citizens their freedoms.
Sen. Larry Rhoden, R-Union Center, said there’s no reason to make South Dakotans get a concealed weapons permit as long as they have valid driver’s licenses and would meet the requirements for getting a concealed weapons permit. People have a constitutional right to bear arms, he said.
“I believe this simply restores some of the constitutional rights of the citizens of South Dakota, the law-abiding citizens,” said Sen. Larry Rhoden, R-Union Center.
Rhoden said constitutional rights trump any argument for leaving control with local law officials.
“When in doubt, give us our rights,” Rhoden said.
It is uncertain whether the Governor will sign the bill. Gov. Daugaard said Wednesday that he has yet to examine it closely. The governor is required by law to sign or veto the law two weeks after he receives it.
It’s just too bad that the other states still require a permit to exercise a God given right.
Excellent news. I hope that the governor signs this into law.
It is amazing that these steps are being taken broadly across the states as we are about to lose the country to radicalism and the parasites. It is all meant to be.
Sounds like this only applies to SD residents (or at least only those with an SD drivers license). AZ, for example, allows any law-abiding citizen to carry concealed sans permit - you don’t need to be an AZ resident or have an AZ DL.
I have a bit of a problem with their law as it relates to those out of state’rs who DO have ccw permits in their own states but must have a So. Dakota permit to carry in there. I travel through So. Dakota often and do carry when I go through. I frequently stop for fuel, food or lodging during that trip. With this new law, will I have to ask for a permit every time I travel through? Seems a bit excessive.
Excellent! Colorado is one step away from getting the same ting if we’ll actually do it.
AWESOME! And then there were 5! Please, Governor, sign it!
I made the same mistake. It is a pretty good summation of what is happening, so I posted it.
Yes, it is.
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