(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) or to a criminal prosecution brought after transfer pursuant to SDCL Chapter 26-11, do not apply to any minor who has the consent of the minor's parent or guardian to possess such pistol, and:
(1) That the minor was in the presence of the minor's parent or guardian;
(2) That the minor was on premises owned or leased by the minor or the minor's parent, guardian, or immediate family member;
(3) That the minor was in the presence of a licensed or accredited gun safety instructor; or
(4) That 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