Colorado considers ending longtime switchblade knife ban

DENVER (AP) - Colorado lawmakers are moving forward with a bill to repeal the state's ban on switchblade knives enacted in 1963.

The folding knives that users can open with one hand by pressing a button have been legalized in 11 states in recent years, but 14 states still have bans in place.

Switchblades gained infamy after they were featured in the legendary Broadway musical "West Side Story" and in Hollywood films.

That spooked lawmakers who banned the knives.

Supporters of the repeal say switchblades are useful tools and can help save lives because users only have to use one hand to open them instead of two for other folding knives.

The Colorado repeal bill was approved 4-1 this week by a state Senate committee and now advances to the full state Senate.