South Dakota law prohibits any person under age 18 from knowingly possessing a handgun.¹ This prohibition does not apply if the minor has the prior written consent of the minor’s parent or guardian to possess a handgun and:

• Is on premises owned or leased by the minor or his or her parent, guardian or immediate family member;
• Is in the presence of a licensed or accredited gun safety instructor; or
• Is using the handgun for farming, ranching, hunting, trapping, target shooting or gun safety instruction.²

There is no minimum age to possess rifles and shotguns in South Dakota. South Dakota only prohibits transfer of a firearm or ammunition to a minor if the seller knows or reasonably believes that the minor intended, at the time of transfer, to use the firearm or ammunition in the commission or attempted commission of a crime of violence.³

 Federal age restrictions impose stricter limits. See our Minimum Age to Purchase / Possess Firearms policy summary for a comprehensive discussion of this issue. 

MEDIA REQUESTS

Our experts can speak to the full spectrum of gun violence prevention issues. Have a question? Email us at media@giffords.org.

Contact

1. S.D. Codified Laws § 23-7-44. A South Dakota resident hunting license may be issued to any resident age 16 or older. S.D. Codified Laws § 41-6-13. A minor between the ages of 12 and 16 years may be issued a hunting license, but the minor under age 16 may hunt only if accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult. Id., S.D. Codified Laws § 41-6-12. The license is valid only for the license year. Id. Furthermore, before a hunting license will be granted to a child between the ages of 11 and 16, he or she must comply with the firearm safety instruction required under S.D. Codified Laws § 41-7-1. S.D. Codified Laws § 41-6-14.[↩]
2. S.D. Codified Laws § 23-7-45.[↩]
3. S.D. Codified Laws § 23-7-46.[↩]