The South Dakota Senate is advancing a proposal to allow enhanced permit holders to carry concealed weapons on campuses of state public universities and technical colleges.
The bill is sponsored by Bonesteel Republican Sen. Mykayla Voita. She said it strengthens the state’s concealed carry laws.
“South Dakota is a constitutional carry state, which means that a permit is not required to carry a concealed self-defense weapon across our state," Voita said. "There are no laws against law-abiding adults stepping foot on the campus of a higher education institution without a firearm.”
The proposal also corrects the right to carry stun guns and chemical sprays, SDBA reports.
Opponents argued the measure is unnecessary. Sioux Falls Democratic Sen. Jamie Smith said the Legislature’s consensus view on firearm laws isn’t in line with all South Dakotans.
“Everybody doesn’t agree that this is fixed to where we want it to be," Smith said. "There are many South Dakotans that don’t hold that same view. We need to acknowledge them, and at least let them know that there are people in the building that represent them too.”
The Senate approved the bill 33 to two. It next heads to the House.