Who Cannot Carry
SDCL § 22-14-15 — a crime of violence or a drug felony, for fifteen years after discharge, and a year after a domestic violence misdemeanor
A person convicted of a crime of violence, or of one of the listed drug felonies, may not possess or have control of a firearm. A violation is a Class 6 felony.
Fifteen years. The prohibition does not apply to a person last discharged from prison, jail, probation or parole more than fifteen years before the offense.
A person convicted of a misdemeanor crime involving domestic violence may not possess or have control of a firearm for one year from the date of conviction, a Class 1 misdemeanor. At the end of the one-year period, the rights lost are restored, and the person may petition the convicting court for an order saying so.
No person under the age of eighteen years may knowingly possess a pistol. A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Federal law adds prohibitions of its own. A particular record is a question for a licensed South Dakota attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- SDCL § 22-14-15 — Possession of firearm by one with prior violent crime conviction or certain drug-related conviction; Felony; Fifteen-year period
- SDCL § 22-14-15.2 — Possession of firearm by one convicted of misdemeanor crime involving domestic violence; Misdemeanor; Civil rights restored; Repeal of section; Order restoring rights
- SDCL § 23-7-44 — Possession of pistols by minors prohibited; Misdemeanor
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Dakota attorney.