ELK POINT, S.D. (KTIV) -
South Dakota lawmakers have passed a bill that's about to do away with concealed weapons permits for handguns. All it needs now is Governor Dennis Daugaard's signature. But, some local law enforcers are urging him not to sign it.
In South Dakota, no permit is needed to own guns, keep them in homes or businesses, or carry them openly. But, you do need one if you want to carry a concealed weapon.
The new bill would eliminate that permit, allowing state residents, 18-years and older, with a valid drivers license, to carry concealed.
Folks would still need to meet the same requirements of the current permit, like no felony convictions, but there'd be no need to go through an application process and get a background check by a county sheriff.
That's where Union County Sheriff Dan Limoges comes in. He's worried without that background check, more folks who shouldn't be carrying concealed, will be.
"I'm just concerned for the ones that might have some things in their background, that don't care, they're going to carry anyway. Or they may not know, that they're not supposed to be carrying but they do," said the Sheriff.
Limoges says he sent an email to the governor asking him to veto the bill.
The bill passed the South Dakota House, by a vote of 50 to 18. The Senate also passed the bill by a 22 to 11 vote.
The next step is Governor Daugaard's signature or veto.
