Lawmakers in the U.S. state of Maine have move a step closer to legalizing the use of switchblades for residents with only one arm. The law will make Maine the first state to introduce the law. The use of spring-action knives is banned throughout many states in the country.

Supporters of the law say that it will make it easier for one-armed people to use a knife in an emergency. They said the law will stop the need for people with one arm to use their teeth to open a folding knife in an emergency situation.

On Wednesday, the bill was passed by Maine’s Senate after it had been passed by the House the previous day, officials revealed.

The use of switchblades is illegal for everyone in the state of Maine until now. The carrying of the fast releasing spring-action knives is illegal in most states under most circumstances although you may be allowed to own one in some states.

It is legal under federal law to use the switchblade knives by a one-armed person, but only when on federal property and if the blade of the knife is shorter than three inches.

The bill being introduced in Maine also requires the length of the knife’s blade to be at most three inches long.

Maine Governor, Paul LePage, will sign the bill into law in the next few days, his spokeswoman revealed.