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South Dakota legal term

Short shotgun in South Dakota Criminal Law

Current through 2026 South Dakota legislative session

In South Dakota criminal law, “Short shotgun” 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 “Short shotgun” mean in South Dakota criminal law?

(47) "Short shotgun," any shotgun having a barrel less than eighteen inches long or an overall length of less than twenty-six inches; (48) "Signature," any name, mark, or sign, written with intent to authenticate any instrument or writing; (49) "Structure," any house, building, outbuilding, motor vehicle, watercraft, aircraft, railroad car, trailer, tent, or other edifice, vehicle or shelter, or any portion thereof; (50) "Stun gun," any battery-powered, pulsed electrical device of high voltage and low or no amperage, which can disrupt the central nervous system and cause temporary loss of volu (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.