LANSING - A bill that was recently passed by the State Senate would significantly change how local governments regulate knives in their communities.

Senate Bill 305 would prohibit local governments from regulating the possession, sale, or transfer of knives. If this bill is signed into law, any ordinance or rule that does regulate knives would be void. Curtis Hertel, Jr., State Senator for Michigan's 23rd District, said he opposed this bill because it takes enforcement out of the hands of local governments.

"I think that local governments are uniquely close to their people, and they are better prepared to understand the problems that local communities have. They're the ones that have to deal with the ramifications," Hertel said.

The bill is currently up for discussion in the State House of Representatives.