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South Dakota legal term

Machine gun in South Dakota Criminal Law

Current through 2026 South Dakota legislative session

In South Dakota criminal law, “Machine gun” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the South Dakota criminal code.

What does “Machine gun” mean in South Dakota criminal law?

(23) "Machine gun," any firearm, whatever its size and usual designation, that automatically discharges two or more cartridges by a single function of the firing device; (24) "Mental illness," any substantial psychiatric disorder of thought, mood or behavior, which affects a person at the time of the commission of the offense, and which impairs a person's judgment, but not to the extent that the person is incapable of knowing the wrongfulness of such act. (SDCL § 22-1-2)

Statutes defining or using this term

Charges using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.