South Dakota gun laws
Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.
Carry
- Permitless (constitutional) carry: Yes
- Anyone who may lawfully possess a pistol may carry without a permit.
- Open carry: No permit is required to carry a concealed pistol (SDCL 23-7-7). The former carry offenses, 22-14-9 through 22-14-11, were repealed in 2019. No state permit requirement for open carry was found. Source
- Permits: South Dakota permit guide
Vehicle transport
No permit is required. The former concealed-carry offenses, including carry in a vehicle (22-14-9 through 22-14-11), were repealed by SL 2019, ch. 113. Source
Places where carry is banned
County courthouses and the state capitol, with limited exceptions for enhanced-permit holders at the capitol (SDCL 22-14-23 and 22-14-24), and elementary and secondary schools (13-32-7). Source
Magazines and assault weapons
- Magazine capacity limit: No statewide limit
- Assault-weapon restrictions: No statewide ban
Duty to inform
Not confirmed. Check with County sheriff (South Dakota Secretary of State manages).
Stand your ground and castle doctrine
No duty to retreat in any place you're lawfully present (stand your ground).
Red-flag law
No extreme risk protection order law.
Reciprocity
South Dakota recognizes valid permits from all other states.
Honors permits from every state.
Sources
Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.