South Dakota Concealed Carry Quick Facts
- Permit Type: Shall Issue & Permitless Carry (Constitutional Carry)
- Issuing Authority: County Sheriff’s Office
- Minimum Age Requirement: 18 years old
- Permit Validity: 5 years (for those who choose to obtain a permit)
- Application Fee: No fee for regular permits; fees may apply for enhanced permits
- Processing Time: Temporary permit issued within 5 days; official permit within 30 days
Latest Defensive Gun Uses in South Dakota
South Dakota Constitutional Carry (Permitless Carry)
As of July 1, 2019, South Dakota allows permitless concealed carry for individuals 18 years and older who can legally possess a firearm. This is often referred to as constitutional carry, meaning no permit is required to carry a concealed handgun within the state.
Although a permit is not required for most residents, South Dakota still offers concealed pistol permits for those who want reciprocity in other states.
South Dakota Concealed Pistol Permits
South Dakota offers three types of concealed pistol permits:
- Regular Permit:
- Available to residents 18 and older
- No training or fingerprinting required
- No fee
- Valid for 5 years
- Gold Card Permit:
- Meets more stringent background checks
- Requires fingerprinting
- May allow for broader reciprocity in other states
- Valid for 5 years
- Enhanced Permit:
- Requires a qualifying handgun training course
- Includes fingerprinting and extensive background checks
- Provides the highest level of reciprocity
- Valid for 5 years
Example Resident Permit:


How to Apply for a South Dakota Concealed Pistol Permit
To apply for a South Dakota concealed carry permit, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Visit your local county sheriff’s office and fill out a South Dakota concealed carry permit application.
- Step 2: If applying for a Gold Card or Enhanced Permit, provide fingerprints for a federal background check.
- Step 3: Submit the application fee (if applicable).
- Step 4: A temporary permit will be issued within 5 days, and the official permit will be mailed within 30 days.
South Dakota Open Carry Laws
- General Rule: Open carry is legal in South Dakota for individuals 18 years and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm.
- Prohibited Areas: Open carry is not permitted in government buildings, schools, and certain businesses.
South Dakota Concealed Carry in a Vehicle
- With a Permit: Individuals with a valid South Dakota concealed pistol permit may carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
- Without a Permit: Under constitutional carry, individuals 18 and older who can legally possess a firearm may conceal carry in a vehicle without a permit.
South Dakota Concealed Carry Reciprocity
South Dakota recognizes concealed carry permits from all other U.S. states. This means that non-residents can legally carry concealed firearms within South Dakota with a valid permit from their home state.
However, residents traveling to other states should check local laws, as not all states recognize South Dakota permits. The South Dakota Attorney General’s website provides an updated reciprocity list.
Prohibited Locations for Concealed Carry in South Dakota
Even under constitutional carry, it is illegal to carry firearms in the following locations:
- K-12 schools and school buses
- Courthouses and other government buildings
- Bars and establishments where alcohol is the primary source of revenue
- Private property where firearms are explicitly prohibited by the owner
Recent Changes in South Dakota Gun Laws (2025 Updates)
South Dakota gun laws continue to evolve. Here are some of the most recent changes:
- Concealed Carry on College Campuses (2025 Proposal): A South Dakota Senate proposal is currently under review to allow Enhanced Permit holders to conceal carry on public university and technical college campuses. (Source)
Additional Resources
For more information on South Dakota concealed carry laws, visit:
South Dakota State Legislature – Firearms Laws
South Dakota Secretary of State – Concealed Pistol Permits
Go To Another State’s Concealed Carry Page
To view a state’s concealed carry permit information click on the state. The state’s color represents whether a state is Shall Issue, May Issue, Constitutional Carry, or Right Denied.
Shall Issue to Residents Only:
California, Colorado, Georgia, Guam, Michigan, New Mexico
Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents:
District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin
May Issue to Residents Only:
Delaware, Virgin Islands
May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents:
Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York
Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents Only:
Alabama, Alaska, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming
Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents:
Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia
Constitutional Carry and Does Not Issue Permits:
Vermont
Right Denied:
American Samoa, N. Mariana Islands
Disclaimer
We try to keep the information on this page as up-to-date as possible, but it is your responsibility to verify all information due to changing laws. The information on this page is for informational purposes only and not to provide legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice concerning any particular issue or problem. Use of and access to this Website, emails, or any links within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between USA Carry LLC and the user or browser. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the views of USA Carry LLC.