SDCL § 22-14-6: Possession of controlled weapon--Penalty--Exceptions.

Any person who knowingly possesses a controlled weapon is guilty of a Class 6 felony. The provisions of this section do not apply to any person who:

(1) Is a law enforcement officer or member of the armed forces of the United States or South Dakota National Guard acting in the lawful discharge of duties;

(2) Has a federal license issued pursuant to law for the weapon or has registered the weapon with the proper federal authority pursuant to law;

(3) Possesses a controlled weapon briefly after having found it or taken it from an offender; or

(4) Possesses any controlled weapon, other than a machine gun or short shotgun, under circumstances which negate any purpose or likelihood that the weapon would be used unlawfully.