Is a Montana Non-Resident Permit Valid in South Dakota?

Why

• Montana does not issue carry permits to non-residents (permit requires at least 6 months' montana residency, us citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and montana id (mca 45-8-321; mt doj). no non-resident permits are issued).

Official Firearm Handbook: 'The state of South Dakota recognizes any valid concealed pistol permit issued to a nonresident of South Dakota, according to the terms of its issuance in the state of its issue' — any state's permit qualifies as long as the holder is not a South Dakota resident (SD residents simply carry permitless).

Carry rules in South Dakota

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter South Dakota, these rules replace the ones you know from Montana.

• No duty-to-inform provision appears in the Secretary of State's official Firearm Handbook or in SDCL chapter 23-7.
• South Dakota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• South Dakota allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Permitless concealed carry under SDCL 23-7-7 applies statewide, including in vehicles, for residents and non-residents 18+ who may lawfully possess a pistol.

Off-limits places in South Dakota

• County courthouses (SDCL 22-14-23)
• The state capitol (SDCL 22-14-23; limited enhanced-permit exceptions)
• Elementary and secondary schools (SDCL 13-32-7)

Frequently asked questions

Is a Montana non-resident permit valid in South Dakota?

A Montana non-resident permit isn't something you can hold — the state doesn't issue one (permit requires at least 6 months' Montana residency, US citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and Montana ID (MCA 45-8-321; MT DOJ). No non-resident permits are issued). The question for South Dakota is which resident or non-resident permits from other states it honors.

Do I have to tell police in South Dakota that I am carrying?

No duty-to-inform provision appears in the Secretary of State's official Firearm Handbook or in SDCL chapter 23-7.

Does South Dakota limit magazine capacity?

South Dakota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in South Dakota without any permit?

South Dakota allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

Does Montana issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Montana issues carry permits to residents only (permit requires at least 6 months' Montana residency, US citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and Montana ID (MCA 45-8-321; MT DOJ). No non-resident permits are issued). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.