Gov. Kristi Noem signs executive order amid speech at NRA convention

Gov. Kristi Noem signed an executive order Friday that blocks state agencies from contracting with large banks that discriminate against firearm-related industries.

Such discrimination includes refusing to engage in the trade of goods or services and terminating existing business relationships, according to Ian Fury, Noem's spokesperson. The order was signed while Noem was giving a speech at the annual NRA convention in Indianapolis.

During her 25-minute speech, the second term Republican governor spoke about how nearly 25 years ago, the NRA president at the time, Charlton Heston, in the face of recent school shootings had called on the federal government and federal prosecutors to go after gun violations amid calls for stricter gun laws opposed by the NRA.

"This article is from 25 years ago, yet that conversation is so relevant for today," Noem said. "What if prosecutors actually did their jobs instead of going on the political attack? What if the laws we had today were actually enforced? What if when tragedy happens, families gathered together, they bowed their heads and they prayed for wisdom and discernment on how to heal hearts and minds rather than to debate the methods used by those in society who do harm?"

More: Kristi Noem says 'I am the NRA' ahead of speech at NRA 2023 national convention

The conference, including the leadership forum Noem spoke at, comes not long after two mass shootings in the United States, including a shooting at the Covenant school in Nashville, Tennessee, where three children and three adults were killed. Five more people were killed April 10 in a shooting at a bank in Kentucky.

Noem also praised the audience and the NRA for standing up against federal firearm legislation, and called out President Joe Biden and Democrats.

"Why do the liberals and Joe Biden want our guns?" she said. "Because it will make it easier for them to infringe on all our other rights."

Biden signed into law in 2022 a gun reform package that provides incentives for states to create red flag laws, or extreme risk protection orders, provide protections for domestic violence victims, enhance screening for gun buyers under 21 and further enforce laws on illegal gun purchases and trafficking. It was the most comprehensive gun control package in 30 years.

This isn't the first time Noem has gone after Democrats when it comes to gun control. In 2022, days after a gunman killed 21 people, including 19 children, at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, Noem accused Democrats of using recent gun violence to crack down on firearm protections at the NRA convention in Houston.

Banking's relation to firearms not a new topic in South Dakota

As for some history on Noem's executive order, two bills were brought during the 2022 South Dakota Legislative Session that would've pushed back against large banks, like Bank of America or Citibank, who don't underwrite or lend to firearms-related companies, according to prior Argus Leader reporting.

Brandon Maddox, owner of Sioux Falls-based Silencer Central, said in committee testimony that he had experienced discrimination by banks when they learn he's a manufacturer, dealer and wholesaler of firearms accessories.

More: Should South Dakota banks be forced to lend to firearms companies?

Some banks began to slow doing business with firearms companies during the Obama administration after the United States Department of Justice began broadly investigating firearms banking transactions.

But the bills were unable to make it out of committee.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Gov. Kristi Noem speaks at NRA convention, signs executive order