South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem announced during a speech on Tuesday that she is proposing an end to all state concealed-carry permit fees, including payment of federal background checks. Noem made the remarks during her annual State of the State speech at the state’s Capitol on Tuesday.
“Yesterday, in my State of the State Address, I proposed the elimination of all fees for concealed carry permits. SD will also pay the cost for the federal background check. In my proposal it won’t cost you a penny to exercise your 2nd Amendment rights in South Dakota,” the governor posted to Twitter on Wednesday.
Yesterday, in my State of the State Address, I proposed the elimination of all fees for concealed carry permits. SD will also pay the cost for the federal background check. In my proposal it won’t cost you a penny to exercise your 2nd Amendment rights in South Dakota. #2A pic.twitter.com/oVf5o5FJ4o
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) January 12, 2022
Noem’s proposal to eliminate fees related to the Second Amendment was part of a larger agenda of tax cuts envisioned during her speech.
“Let’s also eliminate all fees for concealed carry permits in the state. We will pay the costs for federal background checks, as well. It will not cost you a penny to exercise your Second Amendment rights in South Dakota,” she said.
“Three years ago, Constitutional Carry was the very first bill that I signed as Governor. We guaranteed the right of our people to keep and bear arms. Together, we will continue to defend this key constitutional liberty,” Noem added.
The governor also emphasized her focus on limited government in managing the state.
“I am proud to report that the state of our state is stronger than it has ever been in our 133-year history,” Noem said in the introduction of her speech. “This did not happen because of what government did. It happened because of what government did NOT do. And it is because of our people.”
In addition, the governor’s speech addressed Noem’s strong pro-life policies. On January 6, Noem and the Department of Health’s rule blocking telemedicine abortions was approved by the South Dakota Legislature’s Interim Rules Review Committee.
“Chemical abortions are four times as likely to cause a woman getting an abortion to end up in an emergency room – and we have a duty to protect the lives of those women,” Noem said in a statement.
“I look forward to the day when the life of every unborn child is protected in South Dakota. Until then, South Dakotans will know that if a mother uses abortion pills to end her unborn child’s life, she will not get those pills from a stranger over the internet,” she added.
Noem recently drew national attention after calling on President Joe Biden to rescind all federal COVID-19 mandates after he said, “There is no federal solution,” to the pandemic.
“After a year, we finally agree @potus. The federal government isn’t the solution. That’s why from the start, SD took a different approach by trusting our citizens to be responsible and make the right decisions for themselves & their families. Now rescind all the federal mandates,” Noem tweeted in December.
After a year, we finally agree @potus. The federal government isn’t the solution. That’s why from the start, SD took a different approach by trusting our citizens to be responsible and make the right decisions for themselves & their families. Now rescind all the federal mandates.
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) December 28, 2021
The South Dakota governor previously criticized Biden over his dire comments ahead of Christmas that told unvaccinated Americans they would be “looking at a winter of severe illness and death for yourselves, your families, and the hospitals you may soon overwhelm.”
Noem argued, “America needs hope and leadership from Biden. Not fear and dire predictions.”
Severe illness and death? Really Mr. President? America needs hope and leadership from Biden. Not fear and dire predictions – America has met every challenge head on and with optimism for generations. Our country will get through this together. pic.twitter.com/wRDsukuke2
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) December 20, 2021