A bill that adds an extra year on the life of a concealed pistol permit in South Dakota is a step closer to becoming law.
Republican State Senator Larry Rhoden says there is more to the measure than meets the eye.
Rhoden says every time you buy a handgun or other regulated firearm in South Dakota the gun dealer must make sure you’ve cleared a National Instant Criminal Background Check System–or “NICS”
But, Rhoden says, “In South Dakota when you apply for a concealed weapons permit. The Sheriff does a background check but does not use the NICS system when he does the background check.”
Rhoden’s bill changes the requirement in South Dakota and uses the NICS process to verify a concealed pistol permit application. A NICS background check is good for five years, so the concealed pistol permit in South Dakota would be valid for five years rather than four.
Law enforcement groups and the Governor’s office spoke in favor of the measure. No one spoke against it.
The House Local Government Committee passed the bill with a unanimous vote. It has already cleared the State Senate.