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South Dakota’s Noem Signs Bill Repealing Concealed Carry Fees

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OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.


South Dakota GOP Gov. Kristi Noem has signed a measure that repeals fees state residents pay for concealed carry permits, reports said on Wednesday.

“Three years ago, I took a bold stand by signing constitutional carry into law to ensure there were no barriers between South Dakotans and their rights,” Noem told Fox News Digital.

“This week, I took the step to remove a financial barrier. It shouldn’t cost you a penny to exercise your Second Amendment rights. Government exists to protect our rights, not profit from them,” she added.

“Today, I signed legislation to repeal all concealed carry fees. It will not cost you a penny to exercise your Second Amendment rights in South Dakota,” she noted further on Twitter.

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The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action noted that the measure, called Senate Bill 212, “reduces the cost of South Dakota carry permits to $0.”

“SB 212 allows those who wish to use South Dakota’s reciprocity agreements with other states to do so and not be heavily burdened by what is essentially a tax on their right to self-defense,” the NRA-ILA noted further.

“NRA-ILA would like to thank Governor Kristi Noem for signing these important measures into law, as well as bill sponsors and those legislators who voted in support of the three bills. Further, thank you to NRA Members and Second Amendment supporters who continued to contact their lawmakers in support of each measure as they progressed through the legislative process,” the organization added in a press release.

Fox News notes further:

Noem recently signed other measures into law that strengthen gun rights for residents of the Mount Rushmore State, including Senate Bill 195, which clarifies the state’s Stand Your Ground law, and House Bill 1162, which provides an updated definition of “loaded firearm.”

Under South Dakota Statute 23-7-7, which took effect July 1, 2019, any individual 18 years of age or older who can legally possess a firearm under state and federal law may carry a concealed handgun in South Dakota without a permit.

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Nearly half of all states — 24 — are “constitutional carry,” meaning residents who are citizens and are not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a concealed firearm are legally allowed to do so without first having to obtain a permit.

Earlier this month, the Republican governor made headlines when she said that her party’s candidates for elected office should run on the “Constitution” and its prescription for “limited government.”

“I think Republicans and conservatives need to focus on where we’re going, what’s our vision for the future,” Noem told Fox News Digital in an interview at the Conservative Political Action Conference event in Orlando, Fla.

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“We all know that Joe Biden’s a terrible president. We all know that he’s wrecking this country and that we’re against 99.9 percent of what he’s doing to destroy our freedoms. But we need to talk about what we stand for as well and what we embrace, how special of a gift this country is, and how we want to protect that for the next generation,” she said.

Noem, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives before becoming governor, is pressing Republicans to run on the Constitution and “limited government,” reminding voters that “the power’s with the people.”

“We’re going to keep taxes low, keep regulations low, give them opportunities to be successful and to partner where appropriate,” Noem explained. “For me, it is just telling the story of South Dakota … We have the No. 1 economy in the country. We’re growing, our people are thriving, they’re happier, and it’s because we’ve been following conservative principles.”

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