South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden, who succeeded Kristi Noem when she became secretary of Homeland Security in then Trump administration, has signed legislation prohibiting the use of a specific firearms code to identify retail transactions involving guns, accessories, components and ammunition.
Senate Bill 81 was passed 33-2 in the State Senate back on Jan. 30, and then 68-0 in the State House of Representatives on Feb. 11. It went to Rhoden’s desk on Feb.18 and he signed it Monday.
The bill includes a civil penalty for violations.
The use of such merchant codes was promoted by anti-gunners allegedly as a means by which to track large or unusual purchases of firearms and ammunition, ostensibly to prevent mass shootings. However, critics have argued it is really a back-door gun registration scheme, allowing government monitoring of an individual’s firearms acquisitions.
In a message, Rhoden observed, “South Dakota has seen strong growth of our firearm industry, and this bill will help that continue. I am grateful that both the bankers and the firearm industry came together on this issue.”
