South Dakota governor signs bills strengthening state’s pro-gun laws

South Dakota’s GOP governor signed several bills into law over the past week strengthening protections for the state’s gun owners, including one clarifying the state’s “stand your ground” law.

The governor’s website indicated that three bills related to gun ownership and the use of deadly force were signed into law over the past week: Senate bills 111, 100 and 1212.

Among the provisions signed into law are restrictions on the seizure and restriction of firearms for those accused of a crime, and a reduction in state fees for concealed-carry permits. Police officers will still be allowed to temporarily disarm people while they are lawfully detained.

One bill also added new clarifications for the state’s “stand your ground” law, which allows residents to use deadly force to protect themselves anywhere they are legally allowed to be.

Residents are also allowed to use deadly force “to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony,” according to the guidelines.

Together, the bills represent a pro-gun push by the state’s Republicans as the nation reels from mass shootings in Atlanta and Boulder, Colo. Democrats have renewed calls for further restrictions on gun ownership including enhanced background check legislation.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has promised to bring legislation that would require private or unlicensed gun sellers to conduct background checks before making gun sales to the floor of the Senate, though the legislation faces an uphill battle absent the removal of the filibuster due to the Democrats’ slim majority.