Lawmakers send gun bills to gov

One allows guns in state Capitol, other for concealed handguns without permit

Posted

PIERRE (AP) – Senate lawmakers approved bills Monday that would allow guns in the state Capitol and let people carry concealed handguns without a permit despite Gov. Dennis Daugaard's threat to veto both proposals.

Daugaard's opposition is a steep obstacle for lawmakers pushing the bills, neither of which received the two-thirds support required for a potential veto override.

The Senate voted 19-15 to send the Capitol carry bill to the governor's desk. It would allow people who have an enhanced permit to bring concealed handguns into the Capitol if they register beforehand with security.

In 2016, 1,460 new enhanced permits were issued. Republican Sen. Jim Stalzer, the bill's main Senate sponsor, said most active shooter situations occur in gun-free zones such as the state Capitol.

There are no metal detectors or other security checks at the Capitol entrances to enforce the current prohibition on most people carrying guns in the building.

The chamber also voted 23-11 to allow people who can legally carry a concealed handgun in South Dakota to do so without a permit. Right now, it's a misdemeanor for someone to carry a concealed pistol or to have one concealed in a vehicle without a permit.

Daugaard has praised South Dakota's "reasonable" gun laws, saying that some states are much more restrictive.

At the end of February, there were 92,850 active regular and enhanced permits in South Dakota, according to the Secretary of State's office.