Lawmakers in South Dakota pass bill allowing concealed handguns without a permit

A man with a gun in a holster on his hip.
(Image credit: George Frey/Getty Images)

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."

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.