Senate Approves Ban On Pipe Bombs

Legislation banning the possession of pipe bombs won unanimous support in the Senate on Monday and was sent to Gov. Phil Batt.

The measure has been sought for two years by Kootenai County authorities who have found themselves unable to prosecute people caught with bombs because state law doesn’t address the issue. Federal laws ban such things, but federal authorities typically prosecute only major cases.

Sen. Jack Riggs, R-Coeur d’Alene, told the Senate that the legislation had been worked over extensively and now is supported by the National Rifle Association and firearms dealers.

A key provision requires intent to use the bomb for a criminal purpose. To prosecute, the state would have to prove that intent.

Last year, a version of the bill proposed by Sen. Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum, was criticized for not making that distinction.