Gun Legislation ApprovedPIERRE (AP) -- Two bills that deal with concealed weapons permits received final legislative approval Friday in the South Dakota Senate, sending both measures to the governor.
One bill, HB1190, would require South Dakota to honor concealed weapons permits from other states that have gun laws at least as strict as those in South Dakota.
Sen. John Koskan, R-Wood, said 10 states have so-called "full recognition laws."
Current state law allows South Dakota to negotiate reciprocity agreements with other states, and 15 states now have such pacts with South Dakota. The bill would expand gun rights to residents of other states.
Supporters have said that will allow people to protect themselves while traveling.
HB1209 would give police round-the-clock ability to check the validity of permits for concealed weapons, said Sen. Gene Abdallah, R-Sioux Falls. He said current state law limits those inquiries to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The bill would let police access the records even at night. However, an officer could check the validity of a pistol permit only when someone shows it or claims to have forgotten it.
Information on concealed weapons permits comes from an electronic database kept by the secretary of state.
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