Senate Bill Strips Local Control of Knife Regulations

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Senate is endorsing legislation banning local government regulations on carrying or using knives.

Instead, the bill would give Idaho primacy over enacting regulations concerning knife possession. The Senate voted 25-10 Monday to send the bill over to the House. However, according to an opinion from the Idaho Attorney General's office, the proposed bill conflicts with current state laws that permit public schools to regulate knives on campuses and during events.

Republican Senator Lee Heider from Twin Falls — who is backing the bill — pulled out his folding Buck knife on the Senate floor to argue against cities have conflicting knife ordinances. Heider added that the Idaho Legislature has the ability to pass legislation next year that would help clarify school involvement in regulating knife usage.