Is an Arkansas Resident Permit Valid in South Dakota?

Why

• South Dakota recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
• South Dakota allows permitless carry for eligible adults 18+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.

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 Arkansas.

• 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

South Dakota bans carry in 3 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• County courthouses (SDCL 22-14-23)
• The state capitol (SDCL 22-14-23; limited enhanced-permit exceptions)

See all 3 places you can't carry in South Dakota →

Arkansas vs South Dakota: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Arkansas into South Dakota changes one rule: duty to inform police (Yes → No).

Going the other way, a South Dakota resident permit in Arkansas: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Driving on from South Dakota

How an Arkansas resident permit fares in the states bordering South Dakota:

• Iowa — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Minnesota — Recognized — carry with your permit
• Montana — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Nebraska — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• North Dakota — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Wyoming — Recognized — and permitless carry applies

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does South Dakota honor an Arkansas non-resident permit?

Arkansas does not issue non-resident carry permits (requires Arkansas residency for 90+ continuous days (§ 5-73-309(2)); exception — active-duty US Armed Forces members and their spouses are exempt from the residency requirement), so the question does not arise.

Can a South Dakota resident permit holder carry in Arkansas?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Arkansas's law, not South Dakota's.

Where does South Dakota publish its official reciprocity list?

South Dakota publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.