PIERRE — In a last ditch effort to create additional safety standards for schools, a Senate committee approved a bill that would allow expanding privileges for concealed carry permit holders.
Sen. Brent Hoffman, R-Hartford, sponsored SB 203 that allows for school principals to approve individuals 21 and older who hold an enhanced concealed carry permit to carry guns on school campuses. The Senate Judiciary committee approved the bill unanimously, when weeks before the Senate Education committee had killed a bill that would have required all South Dakota schools to be part of the state’s school sentinel program or a school safety officer.
Hoffman said his bill Thursday was in response to his earlier failed attempt of creating safer schools and allowing the members of the public to respond in times of school shootings.
“Thirty-two states already allow some type of concealed carry on school grounds with some restrictions,” he said, noting Minnesota has a similar law.
Rep. Kevin Jensen, R-Canton, the House sponsor, said that the bill was related to self defense in nature.