STATE
SOUTH DAKOTA GUN LAWS
South Dakota lacks many fundamental gun safety protections and in fact has weakened its gun laws in recent years, putting its residents at grave risk.
Scorecard Grade
In 2019, the state repealed its requirement that individuals obtain a license and background check to carry loaded, concealed firearms in public. In 2024, South Dakota had the fifteenth highest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 132 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every three days. Seventy-four percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 18% are gun homicides. In South Dakota, the rate of gun deaths increased by 56% from 2015 to 2024, compared to a 15% increase nationwide.
EXPLORE SOUTH DAKOTA’S GUN LAWS
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
What South Dakota Does Well
- Mental health record reporting
What South Dakota Is Missing
- Universal background checks
- Gun owner licensing
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Most domestic violence gun laws
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Waiting periods
- Concealed carry permit
- Open carry regulations
- Child access prevention laws
SPOTLIGHT
GUN VIOLENCE STATISTICS
Explore facts, figures, and original analysis compiled by our experts. To end our gun violence crisis, we need to better understand where, how, and why violence occurs.
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JOIN THE FIGHT
Nearly 47,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every year. In communities, courts, and ballot boxes nationwide, GIFFORDS fights to save lives from gun violence. Will you join us?