It would no longer be a crime to carry a switchblade, or to carry a concealed knife without a permit, under a bill approved Tuesday by the Assembly's Public Safety Committee.

Rep. Evan Goyke of Milwaukee said the bill treats all knives equally.

"You and I could put whatever knife we want in our pocket or we could just carry it in our hand, and that would not be a crime," he said.

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Walworth County Republican Rep. Cody Horlacher said the bill will ensure that people who carry knives for self-defense won't be charged with carrying an illegal weapon.

"Maybe somebody doesn't want to carry a gun for one reason or another, but they're OK with a knife. And I think that those individuals that want that sort of security or feeling of security should be able to have that," said Horlacher.

The bill would not change current penalties for threatening someone with a knife or using one to commit a crime.