Lawmakers in South Dakota pass bill allowing concealed handguns without a permit
The South Dakota House of Representatives passed a bill 47-23 on Tuesday that lets residents carry concealed handguns without a permit.
The measure now heads to Gov. Kristi Noem (R), who said she supports the idea of permit-less concealed carry, but wants to know the bill's exact language. The NRA backs the measure, but law enforcement officials do not, Rep. Doug Barthel (R-Sioux Falls) said Tuesday, which is one reason why he voted against the bill — the other being because his constituents do not support it. "Are you representing the people from your district?" he said. "Is that truly the way they feel or is this just how you feel? We're sent here to represent the people from our district and vote the way we think they would like us to vote."
A poll released Tuesday by Everytown for Gun Safety, conducted by Survey USA, found that 84 percent of South Dakotans support the state's concealed carry permit requirement, The Argus Leader reports. That crosses party lines — 81 percent of people who voted for President Trump in 2016 approve of the requirement, as do 92 percent of people who voted for Hillary Clinton.
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