SD House panel kills bill designed to express support for gun rights

Talk about it

PIERRE (AP) — A South Dakota House panel has shot down a measure aimed at expressing the Legislature's belief that the U.S. Constitution prevents the federal government from restricting gun ownership.

The House State Affairs Committee voted 8-4 Monday to defeat the Senate bill. Republican Sen. Larry Rhoden of Union Center was the measure's main sponsor.

Committee chairman David Lust of Rapid City says the bill is "clearly resolution material" and a state statute is not the place to make a statement.

Attorney General Marty Jackley urged support of the bill and a proposed amendment that would have directed him to be vigilant and proactive in protecting the state's Second Amendment rights.

Lust says the amendment could have set the attorney general's office up for lawsuits.

Tags: second amendment, news, updates, legislature, state, guns