A South Dakota House committee has narrowly rejected a bill that would have allowed most people to carry concealed weapons without permits.
The Local Government Committee voted 7-6 to kill the bill after opponents said it would make it more difficult for law enforcement officers to stop crimes.
The measure's main sponsor, Rep. Lance Russell of Hot Springs, says the bill would have made it easier for law-abiding citizens to carry guns and protect themselves. He says he may ask the full House of Representatives to override the committee and debate the bill.
The bill would have allowed people to carry concealed weapons without a state permit as long as they complied with federal laws that define who can own guns.
