South Dakota started a free for all that Second Amendment supporters can really get behind. Thanks to a bill signed by conservative Kristi Noem, it won’t cost a penny to exercise Second Amendment rights in her state.
Free rights protection
Republican Governor Kristi Noem fortified her job security on Tuesday, March 22, when she “signed a measure that repeals fees state residents pay for concealed carry permits.” She’s long been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.
“Three years ago, I took a bold stand by signing constitutional carry into law to ensure there were no barriers between South Dakotans and their rights,” she told the press. She just pulled away another stumbling block to make it free for everyone.
“This week, I took the step to remove a financial barrier. It shouldn’t cost you a penny to exercise your Second Amendment rights. Government exists to protect our rights, not profit from them.”
While government gets it’s financing from fees and permits, you shouldn’t have to pay for what is already yours under the Constitution. Your rights should be free. “Today, I signed legislation to repeal all concealed carry fees. It will not cost you a penny to exercise your Second Amendment rights in South Dakota,” she tweeted.
The National Rifle Association was thrilled. Their Institute for Legislative Action wasn’t going to argue since Senate Bill 212, “reduces the cost of South Dakota carry permits to $0.”
Free is a great deal. “SB 212 allows those who wish to use South Dakota’s reciprocity agreements with other states to do so and not be heavily burdened by what is essentially a tax on their right to self-defense.”
Today, I signed legislation to repeal all concealed carry fees.
It will not cost you a penny to exercise your Second Amendment rights in South Dakota.
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) March 22, 2022
A big thank you
“NRA-ILA would like to thank Governor Kristi Noem for signing these important measures into law,” they write. Making concealed carry free for all state residents didn’t get to her desk all by itself, they point out. That’s why they also show their gratitude to “bill sponsors and those legislators who voted in support of the three bills.”
They also have a big shout out for “NRA Members and Second Amendment supporters who continued to contact their lawmakers in support of each measure as they progressed through the legislative process.”
The state has been out in front of the conservative issues and free permits aren’t the only helpful legislation. Noem also signed off recently on Senate Bill 195, “which clarifies the state’s Stand Your Ground law.” Besides that, House Bill 1162, provides “an updated definition” of “loaded firearm.” Specifically, “any functional firearm that contains a cartridge, shell, or projectile in the chamber, including any chamber in the cylinder of a revolver.”
The wording is a big deal because it now means “a firearm is considered loaded only if a round is chambered.” The NRA explains that this update “provides easier methods of storing firearms in an ‘unloaded‘ manner, while still maintaining utility in self-defense situations when seconds matter.”
Any South Dakota resident 18 years of age or older who can legally possess a firearm under state and federal law “may carry a concealed handgun in South Dakota without a permit.” Criminals are free to find out which citizens are packing and who aren’t at their own risk.
Right now, 24 states are considered “constitutional carry,” which means “residents who are citizens and are not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a concealed firearm are legally allowed to do so without first having to obtain a permit.“
