South Dakota carry status overview
South Dakota is a permitless carry state. Effective July 1, 2019 allows any person 18 years of age or older who is legally eligible to possess a firearm to carry concealed without a permit. Open carry is broadly permitted. A permit remains available for residents who travel to other states that require reciprocity.
| Permitless carry | Yes — since 2019 |
| Governing law | South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-14-9 |
| Minimum age | 18 years old |
| Open carry | Yes — broadly permitted |
| Vehicle carry | Allowed without permit |
| Permit available | Yes — South Dakota Permit to Carry (Enhanced or Gold Card) |
The date was wrong by six months — and by a month before the bill was even signed
This page gave South Dakota’s permitless carry as effective 1 January 2019. SB 47 was not signed by Governor Noem until 31 January 2019, and it took effect on 1 July 2019. The date we published preceded the signature. That is the kind of error that should be catchable by inspection, and it sat here regardless.
One South Dakota quirk worth knowing. A loaded handgun is fine in a car with or without a permit — but on a motorcycle or off-road vehicle a firearm must be unloaded and cased unless you hold a permit. Permitless carry does not reach them.
South Dakota recognises a valid concealed carry permit from any other state, and runs three permit tiers — Regular, Gold Card and Enhanced. They differ in how widely they are honoured elsewhere and in what they unlock here: the Enhanced permit is what enables Capitol and campus carry.
Permit for reciprocity
The South Dakota Permit to Carry (Enhanced or Gold Card) is available to South Dakota residents who wish to carry legally in other states. Even though no permit is needed in South Dakota, obtaining one greatly expands where you can legally carry when traveling. Apply at: https://dci.sd.gov/Permits/ConceledCarry.aspx ↗
Key prohibited locations
- K–12 school buildings and grounds
- Courthouses and court facilities
- Law enforcement and correctional facilities
- Secure areas of airports
- Any location prohibited by federal law
- Private property with posted prohibition
Always verify the complete prohibited locations list in South Dakota's official statutes at the official statute source.
Frequently asked questions — South Dakota
Does South Dakota require a permit to carry concealed?
No. Since 2019, any person 18+ who is legally eligible to possess a firearm may carry concealed in South Dakota without a permit. The South Dakota Permit to Carry (Enhanced or Gold Card) remains available for out-of-state reciprocity.
Is a permit worth getting in South Dakota?
Yes, especially for travelers. A South Dakota permit provides reciprocity in 30+ other states. Permits can be obtained through the state's issuing agency. Without a permit, your carry rights are limited to South Dakota and other permitless carry states.
Does South Dakota honor out-of-state carry permits?
Yes. South Dakota recognizes valid carry licenses from other states. Additionally, as a permitless carry state, any eligible person 18+ may carry without any permit in South Dakota.