Welcome to the forum!  Have no clue about your question, someone will be along hopefully that can help you.

Where did you attempt to purchase your firearm? A few years ago I was told by Shields and Cabellas in Rapid City that the local ATF told them they could not sell a firearm to a person with a PMB address. They were mostly targeting those that had an America’s Mail Box address but from your post it looks like the Escapees address is now also an issue. I was able to go to a local gun store and make my purchase. The State of SD recognizes a PMB as a legal address for your drivers license, registration, insurance (including Medicare Supplement)  and voting. As long as you pass the Federal background check you have the right to purchase a weapon. It’s the local ATF that is the problem. The number of people with a PMB buying from Mom and Pop gun stores is so little that they don’t bother them. 

I attempted to purchase at Scheel's, Cabelas and Runnings, all within the last 48 hours.  All refused to accept the PMB.  None of the other smaller local shops had the pistol I wanted in stock so I have not tested whether or not they care.

Do you know why the State of South Dakota doesn't accept PMB addresses for Concealed Carry permits then?  Thats a HUGE problem, especially for us Escapees members who travel a lot.  Reciprocity will literally keep us out of jail in this case, regardless of the fact that SD is now no permit required for concealed in state carry.

Acelead, check with the Pennington County Sheriff. I don't use escapee mail service, was ok using Americas mailbox address. Sheriff was most helpful to me.

We have the same issue in Sioux Falls.  The local Minnihaha county sheriffs office is not RV friendly.

Edited August 12 by Alie&Jim's Carrilite

WOW. I was thinking of moving my address to SD from TX, but not any more. Sounds like Escapees has not really done due diligence on their SD address. Not being able to buy firearms or get a CCW is akin to not getting voting rights, IMO.

I have a FL and Utah non resident CCW but Utah required that I have a CCW from my domicle State, SO Dakota. SD has 2 types of CCWs. One is enhanced, which gives you reciprocity. The other is just a SD permit,  no class required. At the time I was volunteering in a SD State Park and the local County Sherrif signed off on my application. I get reciprocity with my FL and Utah permits. Not sure what will happen at renewal time? I still have a SD domicle using the Escapees address but am not volunteering in that State Park. This is something that Escapees needs to get started looking into, especially the ability to purchase weapons. I had no problem with Runnings, just Shields and Cabellas but that was about 4 years ago. 

Its been several years since my last handgun purchase in SD. When I ran into this refusal at the R.C. Cabellas, I phoned & asked the regional ATF supervisor in MN if this was an ATF policy, he said it was not, that it was up to each licensed store to decide if you met the residency requirements. I found the gun I wanted in one of the smaller mom & pop stores and had no issue with the purchase there.

I've also purchased several long guns (including an AR15) in the last several years in other states using the same Americas Mailbox PMB address with no ATF issues.

"Do you know why the State of South Dakota doesn't accept PMB addresses for Concealed Carry permits then?" 

Thats not a correct statement in my experience, its not the state, its each individual County Sheriff that makes that decision. I had no problem getting my concealed carry permit in SD originally in Meade County(12 yrs ago)  and have renewed it 2 times, using my Americas Mailbox PMB address. The renewals did require me to show proof that I stayed in my SD home County for 30 days. My SD CCW permit is still the original or standard type since I never bothered to upgrade. SD now offers 2 newer types of permits called Gold and Enhanced. Both the Gold & Enhanced Cards (issued after 1/1/2017) are ATF approved for instant purchases, eliminating the background check when the card is presented to the FFL store. The Enhanced card requires an approved gun safety & use of force class (the Std & Gold do not) which makes it reciprocal in some additional states. The enhanced is reciprocal in 37 states, the Gold in 32 and the Std in 31. (changes frequently)

PS edit: my opinion here, I don't see this as something Escapees dropped the ball. I see this as similar to a dozen other issues where we as fulltime travelers without a fixed home, don't always fit within the black & white requirements as written. We frequently fall into gray areas, where the local or state officials make accommodations to allow us to enjoy certain benefits. As long as we roll with the punches and are reasonable & flexible, most times things work out. But in those gray areas we are subject to certain officials interpreting the requirements differently.

Edited August 13 by JRP

  On 8/10/2019 at 4:46 AM, RonandSue said:

Acelead, check with the Pennington County Sheriff. I don't use escapee mail service, was ok using Americas mailbox address. Sheriff was most helpful to me.

Americas Mailbox, Box Elder SD.

When I used Americas Mailbox, I did NOT have a PMB.

It may have changed - suggest you give them a call.  Been in business (in SD) lots longer than SKPs.

Nice folks - should have the info you need.

BTW - they have their own campground - which could be your "permanent" address (?)

~

  On 8/13/2019 at 8:40 AM, Pappy Yokum said:

When I used Americas Mailbox, I did NOT have a PMB.

While you may not have had PMB in your address, by definition all mail forwarding services are providing a private mail box(PMB).

  On 8/13/2019 at 12:43 AM, JRP said:

SD now offers 2 newer types of permits called Gold and Enhanced. Both the Gold & Enhanced Cards (issued after 1/1/2017) are ATF approved for instant purchases, eliminating the background check when the card is presented to the FFL store. 

I don't think that is correct.  AFAIK, there is NEVER a time you don't have to do the background check via the NICS.  Perhaps you mean the permit eliminates the waiting period.  If you are positive the state permit eliminates the need for the NIC, please include the statute or link to the statute.

Not sure about SD but in ID if you have a CCW you do not need to have a black ground check when buying a weapon. You still fill out the paperwork for the stores records but they do not run it. And there is no waiting period, cash and carry. 

"please include the statute or link to the statute"

https://sdsos.gov/general-services/concealed-pistol-permits/default.aspx

https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regulations/permanent-brady-permit-chart   

as you'll see in that ATF chart, about half the states have applied & been accepted for exemption of background checks, for those holding a qualified CCW permit

The logic is that the application process for a CCW is more stringent than the regular background check

Edited August 14 by JRP

  On 8/14/2019 at 5:03 AM, JRP said:

as you'll see in that ATF chart, about half the states have applied & been accepted for exemption of background checks, for those holding a qualified CCW permit

Nice.  Thanks for posting.  Too bad all states' permits don't have this option.