In case you missed it, yesterday Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the South Dakota chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, both part of Everytown, released a poll conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of Everytown that found 89 percent of South Dakota voters surveyed — including 90 percent of gun owners — support the law requiring a permit to carry a concealed handgun in public places.
As reported in the Argus-Leader, the poll released yesterday shows “a majority of Trump voters, Republicans, permit holders, conservative voters and gun owners supported the state’s existing concealed carry requirement in the poll, joining a large majority of left-leaning voters.”
The poll results (available here) come days after Republican Governor Daugaard wrote a column supporting the permitting laws currently in place. Citing South Dakota’s strong history of responsible gun ownership, Gov. Daugaard stated, “Just as I do not support gun control measures, I cannot support bad legislation which would lead to a whole host of unintended consequences. The laws we currently have in place are effective, appropriate and minimal.”
A bill that would dismantle the state’s current concealed carry permit requirement and let certain weapons offenders, drug offenders and people with histories of violence carry hidden, loaded handguns in public, H1072, is scheduled for a hearing tomorrow in the House State Affairs committee. More information about the bill is available here.
This polling makes clear that South Dakotans, no matter their political stripe, overwhelmingly support requiring a permit to carry a hidden handgun in public. Legislators should listen to their constituents and vote ‘no’ on H1072.
