concealed carry in south dakota

Home Concealed Carry in South Dakota (SD) – Overview

Concealed Carry in South Dakota (SD) – Overview

Summary

Permit required? No. South Dakota allows permitless concealed carry for eligible individuals.
Minimum age: 18+ for permitless concealed carry (and for a standard SD permit eligibility baseline).
Duty to inform: No general duty to inform an officer you’re carrying (best practice: comply if asked and never lie).
Where you can/can’t carry: Generally allowed unless prohibited by law, notably K-12 schools and county courthouses are restricted; the State Capitol has special rules.
Practical note: Even where lawful, private property can set policies, you may be required to leave if asked.

South Dakota issues concealed pistol permits throughcounty sheriffs, but the permit is valid statewide. The state also supports permitless (constitutional) concealed carry since July 1, 2019, most people 18+ who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed pistol without a permit. Even with permitless carry, South Dakota still offers optional permits (including Enhanced and Gold Card) that can be useful for reciprocity when traveling and for certain edge cases. South Dakota recognizes valid concealed pistol permits issued to nonresidents according to the terms of the issuing state.

For residents and visitors, the biggest day-to-day considerations are restricted locations (for example, schools and courthouses) and how youstore/transport when you’re not actively carrying. In vehicles, hotels, and other shared spaces, best practice is to keep the firearm unloaded when appropriate, secured in a locked container/safe, and to prevent unauthorized access. For privacy and to reduce unwanted electronic tracking exposure around your gear, some travelers also use Faraday-protected SLNT bags to store electronics (like phones, keys, or other signals-emitting items) alongside secured items during transport or in a hotel room.