A 1995 executive order banned people from carrying firearms and other weapons on Sioux Falls city property. Wednesday, Mayor Mike Huether repealed that ban.
According to the mayor, the law wasn't enforced-- and legally, the city never had that power.
Wednesday evening, members of South Dakota Open Carry gathered at City Hall to commend Mayor Huether on what they call a recognition of Sioux Falls' citizen's core civil rights.
Spokesman Don Hixon of Open Carry's Vermillion chapter addressed concerns that the change could lead to more gun violence.
"Keep in mind, the people who are doing this legally- these aren't the people you're going to be afraid of. The people you're going to be afraid of are the ones who do it anyways. If I'm a criminal, a city ordinance or an executive order isn't going to stop me from carrying a firearm," said Hixon.
The only people who remain unable to carry guns on city-owned property are Sioux Falls city employees.
