Indiana panel advances bill legalizing switchblades

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - An Indiana legislative panel has advanced a bill that would end the state's ban on switchblades.

The Senate's corrections and criminal law committee voted 9-0 Tuesday in favor of the bill that would legalize the sale and possession of spring-loaded knives, often called switchblades.

Republican state Sen. Jim Tomes of Wadesville is sponsoring the proposal. He tells The Times of Munster that "it just doesn't make sense" to ban the knives any more.

He says his bill would help Indiana residents such as people with arthritis and paramedics who would benefit from being able to quickly open a knife by pressing a button.