(A) Prohibited. No person under the age of 18 years may knowingly possess a pistol.
(SDCL § 23-7-44)
(B) Exceptions. The provisions of division (A) are not applicable to a minor and a criminal prosecution for possession of a pistol brought after transfer pursuant to SDCL Chapter 26-11 is not applicable to a minor if the minor had the prior written consent of the minor’s parent or guardian to possess the pistol, and:
(1) The minor was on premises owned or leased by the minor or the minor's parent, guardian, or immediate family member;
(2) The minor was in the presence of a licensed or accredited gun safety instructor; or
(3) The pistol was being used for farming, ranching, hunting, trapping, target shooting, or gun safety instruction.
(SDCL § 23-7-45)
(C) Age of minority; calculation of age. Minors are natural male persons and natural female persons under eighteen years of age. The periods thus specified must be calculated from the first minute of the day on which persons are born, to the same minute of the corresponding day completing the period of minority.
(SDCL § 26-1-1)
(D) Penalty. Any person who violates this section is subject to the penalties set forth in SDCL § 23-7-44.
Statutory reference:
Proceedings on offense for which child not subject to delinquency, SDCL § 26-11-1