The proposed bill amends South Dakota law to clarify that a firearm silencer is not classified as a controlled weapon by removing "firearm silencer" from the definition of "controlled weapon" in section 22-1-2. This change aims to differentiate firearm silencers from other regulated weapons, potentially easing restrictions on their ownership and use. Additionally, the bill makes several adjustments to various definitions within the law, including updates to "consideration," "critical infrastructure facility," "serious bodily injury," "short rifle," "short shotgun," "signature," "stun gun," "unborn child," "unoccupied structure," and "voluntary intoxication."

The bill also amends Section 22-14-6 regarding the possession of controlled weapons, establishing that any person who knowingly possesses such a weapon is guilty of a Class 6 felony. However, it specifies exemptions for law enforcement officers, members of the armed forces, individuals with a federal license for the weapon, those who briefly possess a controlled weapon after finding it, or individuals who possess a controlled weapon under circumstances that negate the likelihood of unlawful use, with exceptions for machine guns and short shotguns. Overall, the bill aims to refine legal definitions and reduce regulatory burdens associated with firearm silencers and other related terms in South Dakota law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 12/19/2025: 22-1-2, 22-14-6