The Senate has voted unanimously in favor of HB 192, to create a special optional enhanced concealed weapons permit, requiring more training, that would be recognized by more states. After that 35-0 vote, it took up another concealed weapons bill, HB 223, which would legalized certain concealed knives, tasers and pepper spray. Though there were questions and some debate on that one, it, too passed 35-0.

Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell, shared a story about how a prison inmate stabbed someone in the chest with a ballpoint pen, and how he had a ballpoint pen in his pocket – concealed. “People of ill will are going to be people of ill will regardless of the best concealed weapons laws we craft,” Rice told the Senate. “The only people that will tend to be really affected are people who do not have ill will. … I see them generally as ineffective. But I will support this change, because I think it limits the one we have.” Both House-passed bills now head to the governor.