As part of an “Open for Business” package, South Dakota's Republican Gov. Kristi Noem on Tuesday signed a bill zeroing out fees for concealed carry permits in the state.
The measure signed by Noem, SB 212, was popular with lawmakers, having been passed earlier this session by the state Senate 34-1 and the state House 61-8. It drops the fees for the state's three different tiers of carry permits to zero while keeping the program intact.
"It will not cost you a penny to exercise your Second Amendment rights in South Dakota," said Noem upon signing the tax reform package this week. "We are guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of our people, including the freedom for South Dakotans to conduct business as they see fit. We are continuing to promote 'Open for Business' policies, and our tax code will reflect that for as long as I am Governor."
Since 2021, South Dakota has offered residents a series of three different five-year carry permits: a $10 standard, $40 Gold, and $60 Enhanced. These prices had dropped from 2015, when they topped $100. Further, the Enhanced permit, which also required an additional $43.25 fingerprint fee, has a training mandate attached to it. Moving forward after SB 212 takes effect in July, all the permit fees, including those for fingerprints, will be reduced to zero, although applicants for the Enhanced permits will still have to cover training costs paid to certified instructors.
A fiscal note filed with the legislation estimated the state would lose about $110,000 a year by dropping the fees.
The ability to carry out of state through a system of reciprocity agreements, coupled with the exemption from federal background checks on over-the-counter gun sales, remain the principal reasons to obtain a permit. South Dakota's Enhanced permits are currently recognized for concealed carry in 37 other states, including neighboring Nebraska and Minnesota.
"SB 212 allows those who wish to use South Dakota’s reciprocity agreements with other states, to do so and not be heavily burdened by what is essentially a tax on their right to self-defense," observed the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action on the measure.
For those eschewing a permit altogether, South Dakota already has permitless carry, signed by Noem three years ago.
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