Freedom Drives Opportunity

 
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
April 17, 2026  

In South Dakota, we believe in protecting our freedom, defending our constitutional rights, and putting common sense policies into action. That’s a big reason why South Dakota remains strong, safe, and free. But one right exists to protect all other rights – and that’s the Second Amendment. 

We have the results to prove that South Dakota is the most pro-Second Amendment state in America.

Last year on my Open for Opportunity tour, I had the chance to visit Western Dakota Technical College. When I met with President Ericson, she shared the opportunity to bring a gunsmithing program to South Dakota. I went back to the office and immediately got to work to make it happen. 

South Dakota is home to many growing and thriving firearm businesses, and in the last few years, we’ve brought even more of them here. That didn’t happen by accident. While other states were taking away Second Amendment rights, South Dakota said, “Not here.” We chose a different path. We chose to stand up for our freedoms and welcome these businesses with open arms.

Finally, this week, I was proud to announce a $4 million Future Fund grant to bring the gunsmithing program to Western Dakota Tech. We helped them purchase equipment and curriculum and acquire the gunsmithing school in Colorado.

Ryan Lishner, the president of the Colorado school, said gun policies in Colorado are starting to impede what firearms dealers and firearms manufacturers can do, and it’s impacting their educational process.

That won’t happen in South Dakota. This is the freest state in a nation founded on the principle of freedom – and other states are taking notice.

We’re proud to be the most Second Amendment-friendly state in the nation. We don’t just say that – we back it up. I’ve fought for the Second Amendment my entire career. This year, we became the first state to remove silencers from the list of controlled weapons. In fact, other states have already followed our example!

The very first bill that we signed during the Noem-Rhoden Administration was Constitutional Carry to guarantee the Second Amendment rights of every law-abiding South Dakotan. We became the first state to eliminate fees for concealed carry permits. And our leadership in this area goes back decades. In fact, when I was in the Legislature, I was the prime sponsor of a bill to eliminate the 48-hour waiting period to purchase a pistol, among other strong pro-2A laws.

The Second Amendment exists to protect all other rights, so my administration will always protect it. And we will welcome with open arms those who will help us advance the Second Amendment.

This new gunsmithing school is a win for our students, our workforce, our businesses, and our firearms industry. We aren’t putting up roadblocks; we’re opening doors. We’re keeping our young folks here at home and helping our businesses find the skilled workers they need. We’re proving that South Dakota is Open for Opportunity – and we’re keeping it the most pro-Second Amendment state in America.

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