Bill Would Close Loophole On Pipe Bombs

Pipe bombs are appearing in cars and houses throughout the state, but officials cannot prosecute their owners. A bill proposed Wednesday would change that.

The bill would close a loophole in Idaho law that allows people to possess pipe bombs and other potentially dangerous exploding devices.

“We’ve written something that covers all bases,” said Connie Vietz of the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association.

Current state law does not allow people who carry such devices to be prosecuted. In fact, under Idaho law, confiscated bombs must be returned to their owners.

If passed, the new bill would institute penalties of up to $5,000 and five years in prison.

Rep. Celia Gould, R-Buhl, said that the bill still has some bugs to be worked out.

But for now it is important to at least have a law in place, she said, to help prevent incidences such as the case earlier this year where a Coeur d’Alene man was caught with two pipe bombs in his trunk, but could not be charged.

“We’ve got this gaping wound that needs to be closed post-haste,” said Gould.

The House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to send the bill to a vote in the House.