Guns, knives, and weapons are generally prohibited on school grounds, as provided by school policies and state and federal laws.

Although children in grades 1-12 are generally not eligible for a concealed carry weapon permit, older students on college campuses may be eligible for a concealed carry permit (CCP) in some states—also known as a concealed handgun license (CHL), license to carry (LTC), concealed carry license (CCL), or concealed carry weapon (CCW).

A student’s right to carry a concealed weapon on school grounds may be governed by state and federal laws, as well as school policies.

In South Dakota, firearms, knives, and other weapons are generally prohibited on K-12 school grounds, in accordance with state statutes and federal law, specifically the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990. This federal act makes it illegal to knowingly possess a firearm in a school zone, with certain exceptions. South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 13-32-7 also prohibits the possession of firearms on elementary and secondary school premises. As for post-secondary institutions, South Dakota allows for the carrying of concealed pistols on the campuses of public universities under certain conditions as per SDCL 13-3-1.1, but individual institutions may have policies that further restrict this right. It's important to note that while older students, such as those attending college, may be eligible for a concealed carry permit, the ability to carry on campus is subject to both state law and the policies of the individual institution. Therefore, students must comply with all relevant laws and institutional regulations regarding concealed carry on school grounds.