The shooting-range donor list includes $6.3 million from 43 sources, with nearly half of the money in hand and the rest pledged. Donations from the gun industry account for nearly one-third of the total:

• Smith & Wesson, a Tennessee-based gun manufacturer, donated $150,000 and pledged $600,000, for a total of $750,000.
• Glock, an Austrian gun manufacturer, donated $150,000 and pledged $600,000, for a total of $750,000.
• Aimpoint, a Swedish gun optics manufacturer that bills itself as the inventor of the red dot sight, donated $50,000 and pledged $200,000, for a total of $250,000. 
• Luth-AR, a Minnesota company that sells custom stocks and other components for AR-15 rifles, donated $25,000 and pledged $100,000, for a total of $125,000.
• The National Rifle Association donated $50,000.
• Federal Ammunition, a Minnesota ammo manufacturer, donated $25,000.
• H-S Precision, a Rapid City weapons parts manufacturer, donated $5,000 and pledged $20,000, for a total of $25,000. 
• Mack Bros, a Sturgis company that manufactures suppressors (silencers) and other gun components, donated $3,000.
• First Stop Gun Shop in Rapid City donated $3,000.
• Lane Silencers, a Rapid City manufacturer, donated $3,000.
• Sturgis Guns, a seller of firearms and accessories, donated $3,000.

Some other donations came from companies that sell shooting-related accessories, but not guns or gun parts. Donations also came from various other individuals, businesses and hunting and conservation groups.

Some legislators on both sides of the political aisle remain upset about Noem’s unilateral decision to provide state funding for the project.

“Unfortunately, her actions have severely damaged trust in otherwise effective institutions, which may cost much-needed projects funding and support in the future,” said Muckey.

In response, the Legislature passed and new Gov. Larry Rhoden signed into law a bill from Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, that says Game, Fish and Parks projects over $2.5 million must receive legislative approval.

“The shooting complex is the reason I brought that bill,” Karr said. “The appropriations process was circumvented.” 

House Assistant Majority Leader Marty Overweg, R-New Holland, said lawmakers feel their will was ignored. 

“Now, the government has to be the one that ensures this shooting range continues to run,” he said. “We voted no, but now we have to run it. Without any choice.”

Robling, the head of GF&P, said in November that the complex will require three full-time employees who will be reallocated internally, as well as seasonal staff and volunteers. Robling said the range will not be profitable and will require help from federal firearm tax revenue allocated to the department. 

Department spokesperson Nick Harrington told South Dakota Searchlight recently that the shooting range will cost an estimated $355,000 annually to operate and maintain, including the three full-time employees.

Seth is editor-in-chief of South Dakota Searchlight. South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.