While not a citizen by naturalization or birth, a lawful permanent resident is someone who has been granted authorization to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis. Those individuals are issued a green card. The lawsuit does not cover illegal immigrants living in the country.

South Dakota is among a handful of states around the country that has the standard of full citizenship, including Nebraska and North Dakota. Iowa, Montana and Wyoming allow legal residents to apply for permits.

Zach Lautenschlager, a representative from the Rapid City-based South Dakota Gun Owners, said the group believes any legal U.S. resident should have the right to self defense.

“All legal residents have a right to life, and they still have a right to defend themselves,” Lautenschlager said. “Individuals caught in this quandary should be recognized. They haven’t yielded their rights by breaking any laws.”

Applicants apply for concealed carry permits at the county level where officials perform background checks before a permit is issued by the South Dakota secretary of state. Monday’s lawsuit names both the secretary of state and Minnehaha County as defendants.