South Dakota Gun Laws

South Dakota only allows conceal carry permits for residents of the state. Military have exemptions though.

You must be 18 to obtain one of the 3 permits available:

Regular
Gold
Enhanced

You can obtain the Enhanced permit if you wish to have more reciprocity agreements, but this requires a training course to be completed. When the application is submitted the Sheriff will issue a temporary permit until the final one is sent via mail.

South Dakota Gun Laws Quick Facts

Open Carry Permitted?	Yes!
Carry In Vehicle?	Yes!
Carry In State Park?	Yes!
Carry In Restaurants?	Yes!
Constitutional Carry?	No
No Weapon Sign Enforced?	No
Must Notify Officer?	No

South Dakota CCW Reciprocity List

States Honoring South Dakota CCW

States NOT Honoring South Dakota CCW

South Dakota Honors These States CCW Permits

How Reciprocity Works In South Dakota

Any individual who has a permit to conceal carry in another reciprocal U.S. state is legally allowed to carry a firearm in South Dakota. During their time in South Dakota, they will be subject to the laws of the county and state.

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South Dakota: Where Is CCW Allowed?

Places Allowed

State parks
State and national forests
Road side rest areas
Vehicle
All areas of the state – except those listed below

Places Not Allowed

An establishment licensed to serve alcoholic beverages on the premises if the establishment derives more than 50% of its sales from alcoholic beverages
A county courthouse
An elementary or secondary school premises, including school vehicles or buildings
A snowmobile, unless firearm is unloaded and entirely enclosed in a carrying case
A game preserve or refuge
Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.

South Dakota: Conceal Carry Laws

Open Carry

YES – Without a Permit/License Open carry is legal in South Dakota.

Carry In Vehicle

YES – Without a Permit/License If you do not have a permit you can carry an unloaded handgun in the trunk or other closed compartment of a vehicle if it is in a container, which is too large to be concealed on a person. The Attorney General in 2004 wrote an opinion in which he says it is OK to carry a handgun in a vehicle if it is not concealed and visible. Only a permit holder can carry a concealed firearm in a vehicle.

Carry In State Parks

YES

You are permitted to carry in state parks, state forests, WMA’s and roadside rest areas

Carry In Restaurants

YES – In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol “Yes” or “No” states if you can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol. Some restaurants may be posted with “NO GUN” signs. Check with the staff if this means just the bar area. If we have indicated a “Yes” then it should be legal to have a meal without drinking alcohol.

Constitutional Carry

No Weapon Signs Enforced

“No Weapons” signs are not mentioned in South Dakota gun laws. There are no legal penalties for entering a private property or business that has posted these signs. They have no force of law unless they are posted in areas that are mentioned by the law as being off limits.

Must Notify Officer

NO – Must Inform Officer on Contact By Law South Dakota gun laws do not say you must inform law enforcement that you are carrying a firearm. You are legally required to carry a permit/license whenever you have a firearm on your person.