David Montgomery
rapidcityjournal.com
States not requiring concealed weapon permits........
BREAKOUT: Four other states don't require permits to carry a concealed handgun: Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming.
Pennington County pistol permit statistics
The Pennington County Sheriff's Office is responsible for conducting background checks and issuing concealed weapon permits in Pennington County. Here is how many permits it has issued and denied in recent years:2011: 2,614 issued, 130 denied
2010: 2,561 issued, 164 denied
2009: 2,890 issued, 150 denied
2008: 2,479 issued, 171 denied
2007: 2,014 issued, 118 denied
2006: 1,980 issued, 120 denied
2005: 1,724 issued, 78 denied
2004: 1,400 issued, 38 denied
Weeks after one proposal to let people carry concealed handguns without a permit was shot down, a second, similar bill may be on a trajectory to passage.
The South Dakota House of Representatives already has passed House Bill 1248, which would let those who are at least 18 years old and have a valid South Dakota driver's license carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
The bill would leave the concealed weapon permit system in place if people wanted to get a permit. Many other U.S. states recognize South Dakota's concealed weapon permits, allowing permit holders to concealed-carry their weapons while traveling.
The law would exclude people who are ineligible to be issued a concealed weapon permit, which includes the "habitually ... intoxicated or drugged," those with a "history of violence," the mentally incompetent, felons and those who have violated weapons or drug laws.
Supporters say gun ownership, as guaranteed by the U.S. and South Dakota constitutions, shouldn't be constrained by a permit requirement.
"I think that it's a restriction that's not necessary for South Dakota residents," said Sen. Larry Rhoden, R-Union Center.
Four other states allow concealed carry without a permit: Wyoming, Alaska, Arizona and Vermont.
This is the second bill introduced this session to allow concealed carry without a permit. The first, House Bill 1015, was defeated in committee. Law enforcement officials testified against that bill, warning that it could allow out-of-state residents, including members of motorcycle gangs attending the Sturgis rally, to legally carry concealed guns.
In contrast, HB1248 didn't draw any opposition during testimony before a House committee. Unlike HB1015, HB1248 applies only to South Dakota residents and makes explicit that only law-abiding adults are affected by the exemption.
Rhoden said he opposed HB1015 due to concerns raised from law enforcement officials, but he is happy with HB1248. He said he has reached out to many law enforcement officials to ask if they have concerns and that none have responded.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard is "keeping an eye" on HB1248, his adviser Tony Venhuizen said.
Rep. Betty Olson, R-Prairie City, who wrote the bill, said she showed the bill to Daugaard aides and made changes at their suggestion. Her original draft required people to be South Dakota residents. Olson said staff with the governor's office recommended she require people to have a valid driver's license instead.
HB1248 should be heard by the Senate State Affairs Committee - which Rhoden chairs - late next week, Rhoden said.
Several Rapid City lawmakers on that committee, Sens. Stan Adelstein and Craig Tieszen, said they haven't studied that bill enough to form an opinion.
Contact David Montgomery at 394-8329 or david.montgomery@rapidcityjournal.com
The South Dakota House of Representatives already has passed House Bill 1248, which would let those who are at least 18 years old and have a valid South Dakota driver's license carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
The bill would leave the concealed weapon permit system in place if people wanted to get a permit. Many other U.S. states recognize South Dakota's concealed weapon permits, allowing permit holders to concealed-carry their weapons while traveling.
The law would exclude people who are ineligible to be issued a concealed weapon permit, which includes the "habitually ... intoxicated or drugged," those with a "history of violence," the mentally incompetent, felons and those who have violated weapons or drug laws.
Supporters say gun ownership, as guaranteed by the U.S. and South Dakota constitutions, shouldn't be constrained by a permit requirement.
"I think that it's a restriction that's not necessary for South Dakota residents," said Sen. Larry Rhoden, R-Union Center.
Four other states allow concealed carry without a permit: Wyoming, Alaska, Arizona and Vermont.
This is the second bill introduced this session to allow concealed carry without a permit. The first, House Bill 1015, was defeated in committee. Law enforcement officials testified against that bill, warning that it could allow out-of-state residents, including members of motorcycle gangs attending the Sturgis rally, to legally carry concealed guns.
In contrast, HB1248 didn't draw any opposition during testimony before a House committee. Unlike HB1015, HB1248 applies only to South Dakota residents and makes explicit that only law-abiding adults are affected by the exemption.
Rhoden said he opposed HB1015 due to concerns raised from law enforcement officials, but he is happy with HB1248. He said he has reached out to many law enforcement officials to ask if they have concerns and that none have responded.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard is "keeping an eye" on HB1248, his adviser Tony Venhuizen said.
Rep. Betty Olson, R-Prairie City, who wrote the bill, said she showed the bill to Daugaard aides and made changes at their suggestion. Her original draft required people to be South Dakota residents. Olson said staff with the governor's office recommended she require people to have a valid driver's license instead.
HB1248 should be heard by the Senate State Affairs Committee - which Rhoden chairs - late next week, Rhoden said.
Several Rapid City lawmakers on that committee, Sens. Stan Adelstein and Craig Tieszen, said they haven't studied that bill enough to form an opinion.
Contact David Montgomery at 394-8329 or david.montgomery@rapidcityjournal.com
Read more: http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/new-bill-takes-shot-at-removing-concealed-weapon-permit-requirement/article_718eab22-5914-11e1-b95d-001871e3ce6c.html#ixzz1mmjyYF54
