LANSING, MI -- A state law banning switchblade knives is no longer necessary, says one Michigan Senator sponsoring legislation to strike it from the books.

"For years we've had on the books it's a violation to have a knife with a mechanical way of opening it. And this has led to a lot of people being charged with a one-year, high misdemeanor and it really isn't necessary," said Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.

His Senate Bill 245 would repeal the part of the Michigan Penal Code that bans switchblades, making them legal throughout the state.

Currently the only people allowed to carry switchblades are those in the police, military or people missing a hand or arm. The law bans others from purchasing knives with mechanical means of being opened.

That's reflected on a sign in Foxhole PX Store in Lansing. They sell military surplus, hunting and camping gear, and have knives in stock. But a sign by the switchblades warns customers not everybody can buy them.

Employee Jerry Stoddard said if they were legal, "I think that a lot of people would buy them."

He said switchblades were sold in other states and while people might not carry them every day, they would likely be popular among collectors.

The bill is pending in Jones' Senate Judiciary Committee. A hearing on the bill was scheduled for this week, but was moved to next week, Jones said.

He said prosecutions on the blades were happening unevenly throughout the state, and about half the police and prosecutors he's talked with don't enforce the current law.

"So many people out there have them in their pocket right now and don't realize that they're going to get into trouble in some areas of the state," Jones said.

Stoddard said he'd heard about the pending legislation and supported it.

"I've heard about this bill going through, doing away with that law. And you know, personally, I hope they do. I see no reason to have a law against something like that. It's just a knife," Stoddard said.