In 2017, former South Dakota governor Dennis Daugaard vetoed a constitutional carry bill that made it to his desk. Governor Daugaard said he was a big supporter of Second Amendment rights, but as he wrote in his veto message a the time . . .
As a longtime member of the NRA, I support the right to bear arms. South Dakota’s current permit process is simple and straightforward, and permits can be obtained in a matter of minutes.
It is paramount that our state protect the rights of our citizens while at the same time protecting the lives of our citizens. I believe our current laws appropriately protect both interests, and I ask that you sustain my veto.
As a famous man once said, elections have consequences. And in November, Kristi Noem was elected to the top office in the Mount Rushmore State. Because of that . . .
South Dakotans will be able to carry concealed handguns without a permit beginning July 1.
Less than a month into office, Gov. Kristi Noem fulfilled one of her campaign promises on Thursday by signing the bill repealing the requirement into law.
She said she was “proud” that it was the first bill she signed as governor. Republican legislators who championed the bills stood in a crowd behind her as she signed the bill at a desk in the Capitol Rotunda, applauding after her signature turned it into law.
She even produced this little video to commemorate signing her first bill into law:
What an honor to serve South Dakota. Today, I signed my first bill into law. This is just the beginning. We have a lot to get done, but I’ve never been afraid of hard work. pic.twitter.com/qvfRbEA40a
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) January 31, 2019
South Dakota now joins Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho (residents only), Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota (residents only) Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming (residents only), in the club of states that allow permitless carry of firearms.
“This (bill) was a significant piece of legislation that had been worked on for years, and I’ve always believed in defending our constitutional rights,” Noem said. “So this was a special one to me to be able to have as my first bill I signed into law.”