Enhanced Concealed Carry Permit Before Legislative Rules Review Committee
PIERRE – Attorney General Marty Jackley, Secretary of State Shantel Krebs and SD Legislative Sponsor Tom Brunner announced today that as of July 1, 2015, South Dakota has begun the process of implementing the program to meet certain other state’s weapons requirements for individuals who have successfully completed a qualifying handgun course and have passed a fingerprint based background check. The enhanced concealed carry option does not replace or affect South Dakota’s existing concealed carry permits, it simply provides an additional and voluntary option for our citizens that wish to satisfy additional heightened requirements of certain other states.
During the last legislative session the South Dakota Legislature enacted an enhanced concealed carry option in order to allow qualified South Dakotans to meet the requirements of the other States carry law for when they travel. South Dakota’s current permit law remains in place for which South Dakota has reciprocity with the following 26 states that recognize our current concealed carry permit: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
The administrative rules have been filed with Legislative Research Council for the approval by the Rules Review Committee and that hearing is scheduled for July 20, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at the Capitol in Pierre.
In the Fall of 2015, National Rifle Association (NRA) certified instructors may begin taking courses provided by the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to begin the enhanced concealed carry including the use of force. NRA certified instructors completing the DCI course may offer a qualifying handgun course which includes the safe and responsible use of handguns, use of force and self-defense, and live-fire training. Members of the public who have successfully completed the qualifying handgun may then apply to the local sheriff for the enhanced permit. Applicants must authorize a fingerprint based background check and present proof that the applicant successfully completed a qualifying handgun course. The optional enhanced permit will cost $100 plus fees for processing the background check. The standard concealed pistol permit will remain unchanged and continued to be issued in addition to the enhanced permit.
Kudos to Rep. Brunner on getting this through. South Dakotans now have another tool in their 2nd Amendment box of self protection.
Have a great 4th of July!!!