South Dakotans may soon be able to carry concealed handguns without a license



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After years of unsuccessful attempts, proponents of legislation that would allow people to carry handguns concealed without a license in South Dakota anticipate renewed prospects once Governor General-elect Kristi Noem functions in January.

The bill languished under retired Republican governor Dennis Daugaard, but Noem in his campaign offered support for a so-called constitutional law. GOP Senator Lynne DiSanto, who, as a member of the House of Representatives, sponsored a draft law on unauthorized concealed porterage that Daugaard vetoed, said that such legislation was likely during the next session and was optimistic about its prospects.

"Many Republicans are very excited about having a Conservative governor," DiSanto said. "I think under a new governor, it's very likely that he's going through."

"Many Republicans are very excited about having a Conservative governor.I think under a new governor [concealed carry legislation is] very likely to pass. "

– Lynne DiSanto, Senator elected from South Dakota

Daugaard said that current state laws on firearms are reasonable. At present, it is an offense to carry a concealed pistol or conceal it in a vehicle without a license. By the end of October, there were nearly 108,000 gun licenses in South Dakota, according to the state secretary's office.

Daugaard vetoed DiSanto's proposal in 2017 and also rejected a similar measure in 2012; the constitutional law of portering failed during the 2018 session after issuing a veto threat. Supporters of Bill have argued that obtaining a concealed gun license can be tedious.

Supporters should be encouraged by Noem, who triumphed over Democratic Senator Billie Sutton in the November 6 election. In January, Noem urged the adoption of a draft law on portering without a permit.

At the time, Noem had not approved a specific plan, although his campaign stated that she supported the policy "in principle". Transition team spokeswoman Kristin Wileman said in a statement this week that Noem would not commit to legislation until she could revise her text, but said she was a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and felt that provisions such as constitutional adoption could "protect and even strengthen this right for the South." Dakotans.

"The elected governor will strive to find a way to bring law enforcement and gun rights advocates closer together to find a solution," Wileman said.

Staci Ackerman, executive director of the South Dakota Sheriffs' Assn., Said the group had not yet discussed the legislation of 2019. But she said the organization had supported a project of law at the 2018 session that allowed the transportation without a permit for state residents with a driver's license or a South Dakota identity card; the measure did not surpass the Senate.

The 2019 session is scheduled to run from January 8 to March 29. Republicans will control both Houses of the Legislature as well as the governorship.

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