AUGUSTA – The Senate agreed with the House on Wednesday and passed a bill, LD 259, that would allow the carrying of concealed firearms in Maine by anyone who has a concealed-firearms permit from another state.

There was no debate before the Senate routinely approved the bill.

The measure won the backing of a majority of the Criminal Justice Committee’s members. Because it has a cost, the bill will face further scrutiny late in the session before it can receive final passage.

As amended, the bill does not allow reciprocity agreements with other countries.

The other state that issued a concealed-weapons permit must have equivalent or stricter requirements than Maine’s in order for reciprocity to be allowed.