South Dakota Gun & Ammo Laws: A 2nd Amendment Overview for South Dakota Gun Owners

PLEASE NOTE: The laws which impact South Dakota gun owners are subject to frequent change at the local, state, and federal level so it's wise to consult an attorney or your local law enforcement agency before making any final firearms-related decisions. Our official policy on shipping ammo to South Dakota can be found here, whereas the information below is meant as a reference point only.

South Dakota State Constitution

The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be denied.

South Dakota Constitutional Provision Article VI, Section 24: Right to bear arms.

Other provisions relating to the power of the people over government:

All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring and protecting property and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

South Dakota Constitutional Provision Article VI, Section 1: Inherent rights.

The right of petition, and of the people peaceably to assemble to consult for the common good and make known their opinions, shall never be abridged.

South Dakota Constitutional Provision Article VI, Section 4: Right of petition and peaceable assembly.

All political power is inherent in the people, and all free government is founded on their authority, and is instituted for their equal protection and benefit, and they have the right in lawful and constituted methods to alter or reform their forms of government in such manner as they may think proper. And the state of South Dakota is an inseparable part of the American Union and the Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.

South Dakota Constitutional Provision Article VI, Section 26: Power inherent in people; alteration in form of government; inseparable part of Union.

South Dakota Gun Laws

South Dakota Gun Laws Overview (Source: NRA-ILA)
South Dakota Concealed Carry (CCW) Overview (Source: HandgunLaw.us)
South Dakota Concealed Pistol Permits (Source: South Dakota Secretary of State)
South Dakota Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Pistol Permits (Source: South Dakota Secretary of State)

South Dakota Hunting Rules & Regulations

Hunting in South Dakota (Source: South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks)
South Dakota Hunting Regulations (Source: South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks)
South Dakota Hunting and Fishing Licenses (Source: South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks)
South Dakota Online License System (Source: South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks)
South Dakota Hunter Education (Source: South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks)

South Dakota Shooting Ranges

South Dakota Public Archery and Shooting Ranges (Source: South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks)
NSSF-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NSSF's WhereToShoot.org)
NRA-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NRA.org)

South Dakota Competitive Shooting Clubs & Matches

IDPA Clubs (Source: IDPA.com)
IDPA Matches (Source: IDPA.com)
USPSA Clubs (Source: USPSA.org)
USPSA Matches (Source: USPSA.org)
USA Shooting Clubs (Source: USAShooting.org)
USA Shooting Matches (Source: USAShooting.org)
4-H Shooting Sports State Contacts (Source: 4-HShootingSports.org)

South Dakota NRA Training Courses & Fundraising Events

South Dakota NRA-Affiliated Training Courses (Source: NRA.org)
South Dakota "Friends of NRA" Events & News (Source: FriendsofNRA.org)

South Dakota State Firearm & Hunting Associations

South Dakota Shooting Sports Association (NRA-Affiliated)
South Dakota Gun Owners (GOA-Affiliated)
South Dakota Gun Owners (GOA & NAGR-Affiliated)
Greater Dacotah Chapter of the Safari Club International (SCI-Affiliated)
Safari Club International Sioux Empire Chapter (SCI-Affiliated)
South Dakota Students for Concealed Carry (Source: ConcealedCampus.org)
South Dakota Civilian Marksmanship Program (Source: TheCMP.org)
South Dakota NRA-Affiliated State Association (Source: NRA.org)
South Dakota Safari Club Affiliated State Association (Source: SafariClub.org)

South Dakota Gun Shows and FFLs

South Dakota Gun & Knife Shows (Source: GunShows-USA.com)
South Dakota Gun Shows (Source: GunShowTrader.com)
South Dakota FFL Holders (Source: FFLGunDealers.net)
NICS Firearm Checks by State (Source: FBI.gov)

South Dakota's Yearly Ranking for Gun-Friendly States

South Dakota Elected Public Officials

Congressional (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Gubernatorial (Source: VoteSmart.org)
State Legislature (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Statewide Officials (Source: VoteSmart.org)
NRA's Ranking of Utah Public Officials (Source: NRA-PVF.org)

South Dakota Public Finances and Personal & Economic Freedom Rankings

South Dakota State Checkbook (Source: Open The Books)
South Dakota Personal & Economic Freedom Ranking (Source: CATO Institute)
South Dakota Civil Asset Forfeiture (aka "Policing For Profit") Ranking (Source: Institute for Justice)

South Dakota State Business Tax Climate Rankings

South Dakota State Business Tax Climate Rank (Source: Tax Foundation)
Taxes in South Dakota (Source: Tax Foundation)

Firearm Background Check Data

Background check types

The transaction types Permit, Permit Recheck, Handgun, Long Gun, Other, Multiple and Admin on the chart are for background checks initiated by an officially-licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or criminal justice/law enforcement agency prior to the issuance of a firearm-related permit or transfer.

Multiple indicates a background check where more than one type of firearm is associated to a single background check.

Admin indicates the administrative checks that are for other authorized uses of the NICS.

Pre-Pawn background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees seeking to pledge or pawn a firearm.

Redemption background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to regain possession of a firearm after pledging or pawning a firearm as security at a pawn shop.

Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Return to Seller-Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Best Gun-Friendly States Ranking

Overall Freedom Ranking

Business Tax Climate Rankings

Gun and Ammo Laws by State

Popular Ammo Calibers and Brands

223 Ammo 7.62x39 Ammo 9mm Ammo 45 ACP Ammo 22 LR Ammo 12 Gauge Ammo 5.56x45 Ammo 308 Win Ammo 40 S&W Ammo 380 ACP Ammo 38 Spl Ammo 357 Mag Ammo