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South Dakota

At a Glance

South Dakota

South Dakota has some of the weakest gun laws in the country. South Dakota has no law requiring background checks on unlicensed gun sales. The state law also allows people to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public without a permit or safety training. South Dakota also has a Shoot First law, meaning there is no duty to retreat before using lethal force in public.

120 In an average year, 120 people die by guns in South Dakota. More at EveryStat.
#45 in the country for Gun Law Strength. See why.

South Dakota’s laws prohibiting domestic abusers from possessing guns are dangerously incomplete. To become a safer state, South Dakota can enact a law requiring background checks on all gun sales, repeal its dangerous permitless carry and Shoot First laws, enact stronger laws keeping guns away from domestic abusers, and enact an Extreme Risk law.

The Latest

VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: South Dakota Legislature RejectsDangerous Gun Bills, Adjourning without Passing a Gun Lobby Priority for Second Year in a Row

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Victories