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Restrictions to gun rights in South Dakota 

In some ways, South Dakota has very loose gun laws. For instance, you don’t need to have a permit in order to buy a gun from another person. You also don’t have to go through a background check or even register the firearm. Other states will require all of this for any transfer, but South Dakota does not.

Likewise, you are allowed to open carry your weapon in South Dakota. You do not need a permit to do so. But there are still some restrictions to gun rights that you need to know:

Restricted areas

For instance, even if you are legally carrying your gun in the open, you can’t bring it into a school or onto a school bus. Many government buildings are also off-limits. You need to know exactly where you’re allowed to carry your gun and where you are not. Just because you can in one location doesn’t mean that it is legal everywhere.

In plain sight

Another thing to remember is that you have to leave guns in plain sight if you have them in the car with you. This is true if you do not have a concealed carry permit and you are open carrying. The gun still has to be in the open, whether it is on your person or in your car.

When consuming alcohol

Another thing to be careful with is drinking alcohol and then carrying a concealed weapon. Even with a permit, you’re not allowed to bring it into a bar or the portion of a restaurant that counts as a bar area. You can bring it into the part of a restaurant that is devoted to eating, even if they do serve alcohol there, unless there is a notice that is posted saying otherwise.

Accidentally violating some of these restrictions could result in legal charges, and that’s when it’s important to know what defense options you have.