The bill amends South Dakota law regarding the carrying, possession, and storage of concealed pistols, particularly in relation to public elementary and secondary school premises. It maintains that any person who intentionally carries or possesses a dangerous weapon on school property is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, with specific exceptions. Notably, the bill introduces new provisions allowing individuals who hold a permit to carry a concealed pistol, including enhanced permits, to carry such weapons on school property, provided they do not do so within a building used for student instruction.

Additionally, the bill clarifies and expands the list of exceptions to the prohibition on carrying weapons in school settings. It includes provisions for individuals with various types of concealed carry permits, as well as specific scenarios such as the use of firearms at firing ranges, gun shows, and supervised training sessions. The bill also removes previous exceptions related to the presence of unloaded weapons at ceremonies and expands the definition of permissible locations to include nonpublic schools and churches. Overall, the legislation aims to broaden the circumstances under which concealed pistols can be carried in relation to school properties.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 02/04/2025: 13-32-7