South Dakota gun laws regulate the sale, possession, use, and transfer of firearms and ammunition in the state. South Dakota is a “Shall Issue” state, and the local county sheriff’s office issue permits to residents only. They offer three levels of CCW’s, Regular, Gold, and Enhanced. The military is exempt from some of the gun laws in South Dakota, and they are given special treatment. South Dakota allows open carry without a permit. The Enhanced license is for additional reciprocity, and you have to take an intense firearms training course before applying. Concealed carry, however, is not legal in schools, courthouses or anywhere they serve alcohol. You can transport your loaded weapon, without a permit as long as it is clearly visible. You must have a concealed carry permit when purchasing a firearm from any Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer. You will be subject to a background check. South Carolina retains the rights for gun laws and does not allow counties to override them.
State CCW Quick Facts
Shall IssueState gun policy
YesOpen Carry Permitted
NoConstitutional Carry
Yes-In Restaurants That Serve AlcoholCarry In Restaurants
YesCarry In Vehicle
ResidentsLicense issued to
34# of states that honor South Dakota license
53# of state licenses that South Dakota honors
5 Yearslicense is valid
10$ cost of the license
18Minimum age for license permit
South Dakota’s policy is Shall Issue in practice and its license is issued to residents. You can carry a handgun in: state parks, state and national forests, road side rest areas, vehicle, all areas of the state not listed as forbidden.
South Dakota CCW Reciprocity Map
Reciprocity allows gun permit holders to travel with their loaded weapon across state lines. These thirty-four states honor a South Dakota gun permit
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
South Dakota honors permits from these fifty-three states and territories
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District of Columbia, New York City, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Permit honored
Permit not honored
Issuing state
South Dakota Concealed Carry Permit and Laws
South Dakota is a “Shall Issue” state for permits and issues them only for residents. The local county sheriff’s office issues permits. The permits are good for five years and cost only $10. There are three types available, Regular (you must have a clean criminal record for five years to apply), Gold (you have to undergo a background check with fingerprinting) and Enhanced (you must have a background check, fingerprinting and take a firearms course). With a permit, you can carry in national forests, state parks, your vehicle and restaurants that serve alcohol. You cannot carry in bars, courthouses, schools, while riding a snowmobile, or in a game preserve. You are not obligated to notify officers or observe any “no weapons” signs. Open carry is allowed with or without a permit.
CCW Eligibility: Qualify or Pre-Qualify?
To apply for a concealed carry permit, you must be at least 18 years old. You cannot be convicted of a felony, or have a habitual drug or alcohol problem. You cannot have a history of violence or be perceived as a “danger to others or yourself.” You cannot have any prior firearm violations, and you must reside in the county where you apply for at least thirty days. You must also comply with all federal concealed carry laws, and as such, you may have any mental illness or felonies on your criminal record. You will be provided a temporary permit within five days and then receive your permanent one soon after. The cost for a Regular license is $10, the fee for a Gold permit is $70, and the price for an Enhanced is $100.
South Dakota Gun Background Check
South Dakota is not a “point of contact” state and therefore all licensed gun dealers must contact the FBI and use NCIS to obtain a background check before selling firearms to buyers. However, the state does run background checks, along with fingerprinting with a concealed carry weapons license. Private sales are not subject to background check laws.
Has never pled guilty to, nolo contendere to, or been convicted of a felony or a crime of violence.
Is not habitually in an intoxicated or drugged condition.
Has no history of violence.
Has not been found in the previous ten years to be a "danger to others" or a "danger to self" or is not currently adjudged mentally incompetent.
Has physically resided in and is a resident of the county where the application is being made for at least thirty days.
Has had no violations of firearms control, unlawful use of weapons, or controlled substances; marijuana, constituting a felony or misdemeanor in the preceding five years.
Is a citizen of the United States or legal resident alien.
Federal law requirements
Gun CCW Permit Application
Determine which permit you want, there are three available – Regular, Gold, Enhanced.
Complete a training course if you want the Enhanced permit.
You must complete a temporary application in person at your local Sheriffs office.
The Sheriff will issue a temporary permit within 5 days.
A full permit will be issued within 30 days.
CCW Renewal
You may renew your permit up to 90 days before the expiration date. Go to your local sheriff's office to reapply.
SD Concealed Carry License Fee information
Permit type
Fees when getting a new permit
Renewal
Current license amendment
Fingerprint scan fee
Fee for firearm classes
Additional state fees
Regular Permits (Requires clean SD criminal record for five years) | Permit to carry a concealed pistol
$10.00
$10.00
$97 - $125
Cold Card Permits| Permit to carry a concealed pistol
$70.00
$70.00
43.25
$97 - $125
Requires fingerprinting and a Federal background check.
Enhanced Permit | Permit to carry a concealed pistol
$100.00
$50.00 (if 30 days after expiration fee is $100.00)
43.25
$97 - $125
Requires fingerprinting, Federal background check and a firearms safety course.
Places Where You Can & Can’t Carry a Gun in South Dakota
Allowed
Forbidden
State parks
An establishment licensed to serve alcoholic beverages on the premises if the establishment derives more than 50% of its sales from alcoholic beverages
State and national forests
A county courthouse
Road side rest areas
An elementary or secondary school premises, including school vehicles or buildings
Vehicle
A snowmobile
All areas of the state not listed as Forbidden
A game preserve or refuge
Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law
South Dakota CCW Contact
South Dakota Bureau of Firearms
Hours
Monday – Friday:
N/A
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Contact
Address:
Secretary of State Capitol Building 500 East Capitol Avenue, Ste 204,