Possession of controlled weapon--Penalty--Exceptions

Any person who knowingly possesses a controlled weapon is guilty of a Class 6 felony. The provisions of this section do not apply to any person who: (1) Is a law enforcement officer or member of the armed forces of the United States or South Dakota National Guard acting in the lawful discharge of duties; (2) Has a federal license issued pursuant to law for the weapon or has registered the weapon with the proper federal authority pursuant to law; (3) Possesses a controlled weapon briefly after having found it or taken it from an offender; or (4) Possesses any controlled weapon, other than a machine gun or short shotgun, under circumstances which negate any purpose or likelihood that the weapon would be used unlawfully. Source: SL 1976, ch 158, § 14-2; SL 1977, ch 189, § 27; SL 2005, ch 120, § 244; SL 2026, ch 96, § 2.