How To Get Your South Dakota Concealed Carry Permit
Whether you're new to owning a firearm or have had a gun for home defense for years, getting a concealed handgun permit may seem daunting. It doesn't have to be. There are many reasons and ways to carry a concealed weapon, but the first step is knowing South Dakota's concealed carry laws. Applying for a CPP varies by state.
Read about the process for getting a South Dakota Concealed Pistol Permit below.
Steps To Get A South Dakota Concealed Carry Permit
DETERMINE which permit you want: regular, gold card or enhanced.
FOR ENHANCED PERMITS: Complete a training course within 12 months preceding your application.
VISIT your local sheriff's office. You must complete a temporary application in person.
Your fingerprints will be taken for gold card or enhanced permits. A separate payment is required for the cost of processing the fingerprint background check.
The sheriff will issue a temporary permit within five days. Because of the fingerprint background investigation required for an enhanced permit, the issuance of the enhanced temporary permit may take longer.
CHECK YOUR MAILBOX
Within seven days after the temporary permit has been issued, the sheriff will send a copy of the application to the secretary of state who issues the official permit. The official permit will be issued within 30 days.
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What Are the Firearms Training Requirements in South Dakota?
South Dakota does not require firearms training unless you are applying to obtain an enhanced permit. To obtain an enhanced permit, your training course must include instruction on:
- South Dakota law relating to firearms and the use of force
- The basic concepts of the safe and responsible use of handguns
- Self-defense principles
- Live-fire training, including the firing of at least 98 rounds of ammunition by the student
LIVE-FIRE TRAINING REQUIRES:
- Minimum 98 rounds of ammunition fired by the student
What Are the South Dakota License to Carry a Handgun Requirements?
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.
What are the Fees and Terms?
$10-40 Permit Renewal Pending Permit Level
$10-60 Initial Permit Pending Level. Additional $43.25 Fingerprinting fee for Gold/Enhanced Permits
Valid for Five Years from Date of Issue
30 Day Processing for Official Permits, 5 Days for Temporary Permits
Where Can I Find Application Forms?
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR APPLICATION
What Concealed Carry Permit Options Exist Based on Residency?
Residency Changes:
Moving to South Dakota and interested in applying for a resident permit? How soon can you apply?South Dakota issues permits to residents and active-duty military personnel and their spouses stationed in South Dakota only. You can apply for your permit with the sheriff of your county once you have been a resident of the county for at least 30 days prior, are active duty military stationed in the state or the spouse of active duty military.
Moving from South Dakota and have a South Dakota resident permit? Does that permit transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your South Dakota permit remains valid?If a person with a South Dakota concealed pistol permit establishes residency in another state, the pistol permit expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.
How Do I Renew My Concealed Carry Permit in South Dakota?
The holder of the enhanced permit may renew the permit through the sheriff of the county where the holder resides for a period beginning 180 days before the permit expires and ending 30 days after expiration of the permit. Gov. Noem signed into law a bill that extends the period for renewal of an enhanced permit on February 6, 2024. The period for renewal begins twelve months before the permit expires and ends thirty days after the permit expires. The holder must do the following:
- Present proof that during the period of renewal set forth in this section, the person:
- Successfully completed the live fire component of a qualifying handgun course;
- Received instruction regarding the use of force standards; and
- Received instruction regarding relevant criminal statutory changes.
- Pay the renewal fee;
- Pay the fingerprint background check fee; and
- Pass the fingerprint background check and National Instant Criminal Background Check.
If the holder of the enhanced permit to carry a concealed pistol does not renew the permit within 30 days of expiration of the permit, the holder must reapply for an enhanced permit to carry a concealed pistol.
The holder of a gold card permit may renew the permit for a period beginning 90 days before the permit expires (as of July 1, 2021, it will be 180 days) and ending 30 days after expiration of the permit. The holder must pay the renewal fee and pass a criminal background check and a check utilizing the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
(Effective 7/1/23, it will be amended to say, "a criminal background check consisting of a computer check of available online records.")
The holder of a regular permit may renew beginning 90 days prior to expiration. There is a 30-day grace period to renew the permit.
During the 30-day grace period for all permits, the permit holder may continue to carry a concealed pistol; however, law enforcement may issue a warning ticket in such situations to provide notification to the permit holder of the expired status. This grace period does not apply to any permit holder who commits a crime that would make it unlawful for the permit holder to possess a gun, or a permit holder who attempted to renew the holder's permit, but was denied.
Additional firearm training is required if a permit has expired for more than 30 days.
REGULAR PERMIT
The holder of a regular permit may renew beginning 90 days prior to expiration. There is a 30-day grace period to renew the permit.
During the 30-day grace period for all permits, the permit holder may continue to carry a concealed pistol; however, law enforcement may issue a warning ticket in such situations to provide notification to the permit holder of the expired status. This grace period does not apply to any permit holder who commits a crime that would make it unlawful for the permit holder to possess a gun, or a permit holder who attempted to renew the holder's permit, but was denied.
Additional firearm training is required if a permit has expired for more than 30 days.
GOLD PERMIT
The holder of a gold card permit may renew the permit for a period beginning 180 days before the permit expires and ending 30 days after expiration of the permit. The holder must pay the renewal fee and pass a criminal background check consisting of a computer check of available online records.
Additional firearm training is required if a permit has expired for more than 30 days.
ENHANCED PERMIT
The holder of the enhanced permit may renew the permit through the sheriff of the county where the holder resides for a period beginning 180 days before the permit expires and ending 30 days after expiration of the permit. The holder must do the following:
- Present proof that during the period of renewal set forth in this section, the person:
- Successfully completed the live fire component of a qualifying handgun course;
- Received instruction regarding the use of force standards; and
- Received instruction regarding relevant criminal statutory changes.
- Pay the renewal fee;
- Pay the fingerprint background check fee; and
- Pass the fingerprint background check and National Instant Criminal Background Check.
If the holder of the enhanced permit to carry a concealed pistol does not renew the permit within 30 days of expiration of the permit, the holder must reapply for an enhanced permit to carry a concealed pistol.
A renewed Permit to Carry a Concealed Pistol may be obtained from the sheriff of the county which the applicant is a resident.
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Make sure you understand South Dakota Gun Laws and South Dakota concealed carry reciprocity with other states.