South Dakota Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Yes, as of July 1, 2019.

South Dakota is a shall-issue state.

No. The concealed carry permit in South Dakota does not allow you to carry weapons other than handguns.

Yes. There is no statute prohibiting the purchase or use of pepper spray in South Dakota.

No. South Dakota does not have ammunition restrictions.

Yes. Concealed carry is allowed at roadside rest areas in South Dakota.

South Dakota statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

Yes, anyone at least 18 years old who can legally possess a firearm, can carry a handgun in a vehicle without a permit. 

[S.D. Codified Laws §§ 23-7-7.4 & 23-7-7]

No. There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in South Dakota.

[S.D. Codified Laws § 22-14-9.1]

No. "No Weapons Allowed" signs are not enforced in South Dakota.

No definition of brandishing was found in South Dakota law.However, any person who intentionally causes serious public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm to any other person, or creates a risk thereof by is guilty of disorderly conduct.

[S.D. Codified Laws § 22-18-35]

Yes, for members of the military and their spouses stationed in South Dakota.

Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in South Dakota. If a county, township or municipality attempts to pass or enforce an ordinance in violation of state preemption law, the attorney general will bring an action in the name of the state for injunctive relief against the municipality. In addition, a court shall grant any person charged with a violation of an ordinance prohibited under this section reasonable costs, expenses and attorney's fees.

[S.D. Codified Laws § 7-18A-36][S.D. Codified Laws § 8-5-13][S.D. Codified Laws § 9-19-20]

No. A permit is not required to purchase a handgun in South Dakota.

Yes, for SD Regular Concealed Pistol Permits issued on or after July 1, 2018, as well as Gold Card and Enhanced Permits issued on or after January 1, 2017.

No. Handguns do not need to be registered in South Dakota.

Yes. Permitless carry is allowed for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm in South Dakota. 

[S.D. Codified Laws § 23-7-7]

Write a letter to the office of the secretary of state with name, DOB, address and $2 (cash, check or money order). Send to:

Secretary of StateAttn: Permits 500 E. Capitol Ave.Pierre, SD 57501

Write a letter to the office of the secretary of state with name, DOB, old address, new address, (or former name, new name) permit number and $2 (cash, check or money order). Send to:

Secretary of StateAttn: Permits 500 E. Capitol Ave.Pierre, SD 57501

An applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years old for a regular permit; 21 for enhanced or gold permits;
• Have been a resident of the county where the application is submitted for at least 30 days prior, or is active duty military stationed in SD or the spouse of active duty military;
• Be a citizen of the United States or legal resident alien;
• Not have pleaded guilty to, nolo contendere to or been convicted of a felony or a violent crime;
• Not habitually exist in an intoxicated or drugged condition;
• Have no history of violence;
• Not have been found in the previous 10 years to be a "danger to others" or a "danger to self," or is not currently adjudged mentally incompetent;
• Have had no violations of firearms control, unlawful use of weapons or controlled substances or marijuana, constituting a felony or misdemeanor in the preceding 5 years;
• Not be a fugitive from justice; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of South Dakota.

Regular - 5 days for a temporary permit. Because of the fingerprint background investigation for the enhanced and gold permits, the issuance of these temporary permits may take longer. Official permits are issued in 30 days.

Three types of permits are available:

• Regular – requires a clean SD criminal record for 5 years;
• Gold Card – requires fingerprinting and a federal background check; recognized for concealed carry within South Dakota and 32 other states; satisfies the purchase exemption from the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act; and
• Enhanced – requires fingerprinting, a federal background check and a firearms safety course; recognized in 37 other states; satisfies the purchase exemption from the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act. Carry is allowed in county courthouses and the State Capitol building following 24-hour prior notification to the superintendent of the Highway Patrol.

A Guide To Understanding Concealed CarryPistol Permits

• Carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol? You can concealed carry in the restaurant area of an eatery that serves alcohol, unless posted. However, concealed carry is not allowed in bars or the bar areas of restaurants.
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? Yes.
• Carry in my place of business? Yes. A permit is not required to carry a handgun, whether concealed or openly, in a person's home, land they own or rent, or place of business.
• Carry in roadside rest areas? Yes.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests, and WMAs? Yes. 
• Carry in places of worship? There is no state statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.
• Carry in the State Capitol building? As of July 1, 2019 enhanced CPP holders will be able to, following  24-hour prior notification to the superintendent of the Highway Patrol.

There is no known statute in South Dakota making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed.

Yes. No firearm restrictions in place for any hunting season prohibit a licensee or person possessing a valid concealed pistol permit from carrying a pistolwhile hunting.

[SD Game, Fish and Parks 2018 Big Game Regulations]

All types of knives are legal in South Dakota and they may be carried openly or concealed, except that they may not be carried concealed by someone with intent to commit a felony. The possession of a "dangerous weapon," which can include a knife, on school grounds, county courthouses and the state capitol is prohibited. Municipalities may have additional restrictions.

[S.D. Codified Laws §§ 22-1-2, 22-14-8, 22-14-23 and 13-32-7]