Governor Kristi Noem is signing the bill that strips a permit requirement for those wanting to carry a concealed pistol.
It’s the first bill she’s signing as governor.
Behind a backdrop of Republican lawmakers, the first term governor signed into law Senate Bill 47 on an official desk carried out to the capitol rotunda. The bill removes the permit required for those carrying a concealed pistol.
It’s an issue that’s dogged the legislature for a few sessions. Governor Noem says she’s happy to sign the legislation.
“This has been a topic and conversation in the legislature for the last several years,” Noem says. “It was debated and vetted and today was my opportunity to sign it into law. Obviously, its special to me to be signing a bill into that that protects our second amendment rights. It will keep our permit system in place to allow for reciprocity to other states, but for those in the state that choose to carry a weapon for self-defense will no longer have to worry about how they choose to do so.”
Law enforcement opposed the bill Noem is signing. Noem says law enforcement will continue to have suggestions and will offer that throughout session.
Currently, there’s a house bill still pending that law enforcement does support, which allows only South Dakota residents to carry without a permit. It’s one of three remaining permit-less carry bills out there.
Democratic state Senator Troy Heinert says those bills are still in play.
“Whichever one she signs last that’s the one we will have to take,” Heinert says. “As these competing bills come through we will see how they read and maybe they’ll get law enforcement support.”
If those bills fail, the law Governor Noem signed today goes into effect on July 1st.
Reporting on politics and public policy is supported by The Center for Western Studies at Augustana University