South Dakota law prohibits any person from possessing or storing a firearm on or in any public elementary or secondary school premises, including school vehicles or buildings.¹

Law enforcement officers are exempt from this prohibition,² as are individuals age 21 and older who possess an enhanced permit to carry a concealed pistol and have written permission from the school principal.³ The state has also authorized school boards to create “school sentinel” programs and allow designated school employees or volunteers to carry concealed weapons on school premises. A person acting as a school sentinel must have a concealed carry permit.⁴

South Dakota law expressly allows firearms and air guns on public school grounds at a firing range, gun show, or school-supervised training session.⁵ Unloaded weapons are permitted for ceremonial purposes at color guard ceremonies,⁶ and the use of starting guns are permitted at athletic events.⁷

South Dakota law does not prohibit the possession of firearms on private school grounds.⁸

South Dakota law does not address the possession of firearms on college or university campuses.

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1. S.D. Codified Laws § 13-32-7. See also S.D. Codified Laws § 13-32-4 (requiring the expulsion of students for possession of firearms).[↩]
2. S.D. Codified Laws § 13-32-7.[↩]
3. 2024 S.D. S 203, signed by the governor March 18, 2024, amending S.D. Codified Laws § 13-32-7. Effective July 1, 2024.[↩]
4. S.D. Codified Laws § 13-64-1.[↩]
5. S.D. Codified Laws § 13-32-7(2)(a-c).[↩]
6. S.D. Codified Laws § 13-32-7(2)(d).[↩]
7. S.D. Codified Laws § 13-32-7(1).[↩]
8. S.D. Codified Laws § 13-32-7(3).[↩]