Shaping the Future of Public Campus Safety: A South Dakota Perspective

Addressing the Tangled Issue of Guns in American Higher Education

Watching the news or scrolling through your social media feed, it’s impossible to overlook the intimidating debates shaping America’s views on gun laws. The debates become even more off-putting when they hit closer to home – our colleges and universities.

South Dakota has recently dove right into this debate, leading the charge with new legislation spearheaded by Bonesteel’s Mykayla Voita. The Republican senator aims to bring concealed guns into the light by allowing permit holders to carry their weapons on the campuses of state public universities and technical colleges. The proposed legislation has certainly caused a stir among South Dakotans.

The Tricky Parts of South Dakota’s Concealed Carry Law

We’re not just talking about carrying concealed guns around a college campus. This new proposal digs into the fine points of South Dakota’s gun legislation. Already, South Dakota is a constitutional carry state—a nitty-gritty detail that some might not realize.

In laymen’s terms, anyone who abides by the law doesn’t need a permit to tote a hidden self-defense firearm anywhere within our state borders. “There are no laws against law-abiding adults stepping foot on the campus of a higher education institution without a firearm,” says Voita.

The new bill also aims to clarify the rights to carry stun guns and chemical sprays—a tweak that has almost been lost amidst the more overwhelming news of potential firearms on campus.

Opposition Voices Hidden Complexities and Fears

With any legislation change, there are naysayers. This is no different, as demonstrated by Sioux Falls Democratic Senator, Jamie Smith. Fearing that the proposed legislation could bring a host of problems, he points out that the community isn’t on the same page about these firearm laws.

“Everybody doesn’t agree that this is fixed to where we want it to be,” Smith comments. According to him, many South Dakotans do not hold the same view. “We need to acknowledge them, and at least let them know that there are people in the building that represent them too.”

Navigating Through Potential Legislative Impact

Regardless of varying views, the South Dakota Senate has voted in favor of the bill, a huge step toward making it a reality. But many still have concerns. What will the atmosphere be like on South Dakota campuses once students and staff can legally carry concealed weapons?

This brought us to an essential question: Could this be a nerve-racking change or a step towards robust self-defense empowerment? To answer this, South Dakota community must take a closer look at the potential implications.

Slight Differences Makes a Large Impact on Higher Education and Gun Laws

With such legislation, we can visibly see the three sides of the coin – the supporters, the critics and those that are unsure or indifferent. Time will demonstrate the effects of the proposed legislation. Will the state of South Dakota be a trailblazer, setting a new hardline standard for self-defense lighting a path for other states to follow, or could it be setting itself up for a tense mistake? Only time can tell and we must live through the twists and turns of these legislative changes to fully comprehend their effects.

In the meantime, for now, the bill heads to the House where further debates and voting will take place. Whether you agree or disagree, one thing is certain – eyes across the nation will be watching the outcome closely.

Originally Post From https://www.sdpb.org/politics/2025-02-13/conceal-carry-on-public-campus-bill-advances

Advancement in Conceal Carry Bill on South Dakota Public Campuses Unveiled