Gov. Rhoden Announces New Gunsmithing Program at Western Dakota Tech
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced the addition of a new gunsmithing curriculum to Western Dakota Technical College, advancing South Dakota’s pro-2nd Amendment values and expanding the workforce for South Dakota’s defense and firearms industries.
“South Dakota is the most Second Amendment-friendly state in America, and our firearms industry is thriving,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “As other states infringe on the 2nd Amendment rights of their citizens and chase away firearms producers, South Dakota is welcoming them with open arms. This new gunsmithing program will support our growing firearms industry and attract even more guns and ammunition manufacturers to South Dakota!”
Governor Rhoden is awarding $4 million from the Future Fund to Western Dakota Technical College to support the purchase of equipment and related assets and ultimately acquire an accredited gunsmithing school in Colorado. The program will expand hands-on training and help meet workforce needs across South Dakota’s defense and firearms industries. Graduates of the current program find careers with law enforcement, military agencies, and firearm manufacturers.
“Western Dakota Technical College is committed to providing training and education that meets the needs of our industries and South Dakota students,” said Kendra Ericson, president of Western Dakota Technical College. “This allows us to expand our programs and prepare students for high-demand careers while supporting continued industry growth.”
The announcement was attended by several firearms companies headquartered in South Dakota – many of which moved here from states infringing on the 2nd Amendment rights of their citizens. Attendees also included leadership from Western Dakota Technical College, the Board of Technical Education, Rapid City Government, Elevate Rapid City, Pete Lien and Sons Shooting Sports Complex.
This announcement builds upon Governor Rhoden’s announcement last week of a new South Dakota Defense Institute in Rapid City. The new gunsmithing program at Western Dakota Tech will support South Dakota’s growing defense industry.
“When I met with Dr. Ericson on my Open for Opportunity Tour visit last year, we discussed this possibility. I went back to the office and got to work to make it happen,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “We are here today to celebrate the results of that meeting, and another win for our students, our workforce, our businesses, and our firearms industry.”
Western Dakota Technical College is expected to accept their first class into the program in the fall of 2027.
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Helping to create a new niche career like this is a really poor use of Future Funds.
It kind of goes with the new shooting range. Maybe the black hills will become a firearm haven.
Between Black Hills Ammo and Parkwest Arms, it’s already been notable for high quality firearms and ammo work.
Yet another exhibit against the concept of full discretion on Future Funds. The last two Governors have made some really questionable decisions with that fund.
How about making it easier to attend those schools and programs? The cost of education is outrageous. Not all of us have corrupt connections to get rich and send kids to school for free.
All programs work with students for scholarships, loans, grants, etc. Many/most students receive some sort of financial assistance for higher education. The military is one source. Friend put himself through the SDSM, AND Harvard 100% on his own. His income easily has paid those loans off. Pull yourself up with the what IS possible.
This is highly misleading. Harvard has one of the most generous aid programs on earth, which is perhaps unsurprising given that its endowment is roughly the size of South Dakota’s annual GDP. The hard part about Harvard is actually getting in. Once you’ve done that, you are pretty much set. I went to some very good schools, and it took me nearly two decades to pay off my student debt. Using anecdotes to generalize to the population generally is a Philo 101 mistake, dude. It makes no sense. The mean debt load for UG grads is roughly 30k. Post grad approaches 100k. Nearly 60% of college students have to take out loans to matriculate.
Not misleading at all, total reality! SO very many ways to get aid with higher education finances but you have to work to research what is available and then go through the process to get them. Starting in high school with intense studying to get academic scholarships is a first step. The military paid a significant number of medical doctors & dentists we know, with of course pay back time but scholarships all the same. Young, inexperienced applicants often see educational loan as free money and take out way more than they need. We know those who took spring break trips using their loans. Another friend told us of using his loan to purchase a small airplane. Choosing a career that financially is capable of repaying loans is certainly helpful. Working while attending your higher education of choice, taking out minimal loans, and choosing a career that will pay the bills is what it takes to come out debt free or at least with minimal loans to repay.
Again, the plural of anecdote is not data. I can see you arent really grasping this point, so I’ll let this conversation end.
You are acting like you are talking to young person and you repeat your Fox News talking points. I went through school, paid it all, since then, the same program that I went through costs nearly ten times more. The loans are over 8% interest if you don’t sign up for the SOCIALIST military or take a SOCIALISM handout. Now one thing Fox doesn’t mention is the impact to me, a JOB CREATOR, those graduates now are expecting compensation to be able to match to be able to pay off the loan. Guess what, wage growth has not grown as fast as education tuition, and guess what else has grown much faster than the wages, housing, groceries, healthcare. We pay less, and this new Gen Z workforce isn’t working for free like the past generations. We can hope for AI to fill the gap until we retire, but it certainly isn’t there yet, and we are starting to see more people recognize the AI SLOP. I would recommend you pull your head out and see what IS in front of you instead of repeating what someone else told you.
You sound like someone that repeats all the leftest socialism bull sh*t.
Mr. Big Hat, Big Boots, No Cattle proposed
A ZERO increase in his “budget “.
Zero for State aid to our children for K-12.
Zero increase for Medicade providers.
Zero increase for State employees.
But, Good old Larry can pull 4 million out of his ass to get more guns on the street.
I will gladly pay a one way ticket, first class back to Union Center, never to return again for Kristi Noems circus flea.
He’ll make it back safely as long as Gary Cammack isn’t driving.
The future fund has always been used at the discretion of the executive branch and designated for economic development. Do not know where you have been, but raises for education, health care, and state employees were decided on and voted on by the legislature. While not a great amount, the truth is there will never be enough to satisfy all people…
Lets not forget life is better in sd than on mars which gave millions to L&S.
100% Apparently, some are unaware but still comment. And do not know that In 2026, Governor Larry Rhoden signed an executive order, as noted in the South Dakota Governor’s Office Of Economic Development documentation, to set new “guardrails” for the fund. And yet they’ll still complain.
guardrails that allow him to spend $4m on his pet project.
Huh? As a fellow conservative and supporter of the 2 nd amendment I appreciate the intent.
However, using 4 million from the states Future Fund to acquire a gunsmithing school from Colorado represents a misguided form of Government intervention.
The state is acting like a venture capitalist directing funds to a niche industry. Private companies, manufacturers, and the market itself should drive the need. Subsidizing a niche market risks cronyism. The market, not politicians should decide where capital and labor flow. Firearm companies relocating to S.D. can partner with the technical colleges and fund the startup. How much are the voluntarily investing?
The Future Fund dollars would be more appropriately spent by cutting red tape for skilled trades. Reform occupational licensing where it hinders skilled trades, and ensure all four technical colleges operate efficiently and help make them even more affordable than they already are. I heard that unlike the universities nearly 80-90% of the technical college graduates stay in S.D. Keeps our young people here with a skill and good jobs. That’s economic development.
this! yes – agree!
So you’re OK with our state government sitting and twiddling thumbs while other states are proactive and actively invest in their communities. While we do nothing Wyoming will continue to attract other arms manufacturers. They’ve already got KelTec, Weatherby, Magpul, Stag Arms, and Big Bore Arms to move there due to investments and other incentives from their State government.
I doubt the person you are replying to is pro 2nd amendment or conservative.