RAPID CITY, SD — South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and State Senator Casey Crabtree (R-District 8) have announced a joint effort to remove firearm suppressors from the state’s list of controlled weapons. This move follows the federal government’s recent deregulation under the One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law on July 4, 2025.
Suppressors, often referred to as silencers, remain regulated under federal law. Buyers must still undergo background checks and comply with all National Firearms Act requirements. However, the federal legislation eliminated the $200 tax stamp historically required to purchase suppressors, significantly reducing the cost barrier for law-abiding gun owners.
In a report by KOTA Territory News, Rhoden emphasized the symbolic and practical importance of the proposed legislation, stating the initiative reflects South Dakota’s commitment to Second Amendment rights. “It shows that we respect our Second Amendment rights in South Dakota,” Rhoden said, adding that suppressors “were vilified and never should have been on that list in the first place.”
State Senator Crabtree, who had initially introduced his own proposal before joining forces with Rhoden, said in a press release that the legislation is a direct response to recent federal reforms.
“Thanks to President Trump and Republican leaders, the One Big Beautiful Bill was a major win for gun owners purchasing suppressors. This session, we will update South Dakota law to reflect this Second Amendment victory,” said Crabtree [source: DRGNews].
The proposed state legislation would remove suppressors from South Dakota’s definition of a “controlled weapon,” thereby eliminating additional state-level regulation. If passed, residents would only need to comply with federal requirements when purchasing suppressors.
The legislation has received backing from major Second Amendment organizations, including the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). Sioux Falls-based suppressor retailer Silencer Central also supports the bill. “Silencer Central is proud to support South Dakota’s proactive deregulation of suppressors as ‘controlled weapons,’ and we hope the federal government will quickly follow our home state’s pro-gun, pro-freedom initiative,” said CEO Brandon Maddox in a December 10 social media post.
Rhoden’s office noted that this initiative sends a message to federal lawmakers about South Dakota’s leadership in firearm policy. During a recent KOTA interview, Rhoden stated, “The federal government is heading towards deregulation and South Dakota is taking the lead on the issue.”
Crabtree, who is also a 2026 candidate for South Dakota’s U.S. House seat, has announced plans to introduce the bill during the upcoming legislative session. Governor Rhoden, speaking in audio published by Dakota Broadcasting, emphasized the state’s leadership role on the issue, stating, “There’s been steps taken at the federal level to remove the stamp, but we are going to take lead as a state in deregulating suppressors.”
South Dakota’s 2026 legislative session begins January 12.
This initiative marks a continuation of South Dakota’s longstanding tradition of supporting firearm rights. While suppressors are commonly misunderstood, they offer significant benefits such as hearing protection and improved safety at shooting ranges. Removing redundant state regulations allows the law to align more closely with current federal standards, streamlining the process for responsible gun owners and reinforcing constitutional protections.
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