A Butler County state legislator's proposal to expand concealed carry in Pennsylvania passed a procedural step on its way to becoming state law.

House Bill 659 — introduced by Slippery Rock-area state Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-10th, and which would allow residents older than age 21 to have concealed-carry firearms without a license by having first passed a background check upon the purchase of a firearm — passed the House Judiciary Committee and will go to the full state House for a vote.

The bill, which Bernstine calls “constitutional carry,” would still allow residents to receive an optional License to Carry a Firearm, or LTCF, permit by creating a two-tiered system. The first tier is the permitless carry, which would be available to those passing a criminal background check when purchasing a gun, whereas the second level, available to those who obtain the optional LTCF, would allow Pennsylvanians to concealed carry in the 32 other states with which the state has a reciprocity agreement or otherwise recognize Pennsylvania's license to carry.

Bernstine said the bill wasn't supported only by Republicans in the General Assembly.

“There is bipartisan support from my colleagues,” Bernstine said. “By removing the licensing requirement, it removes an artificial barrier to residents' right to bear arms and ensures more Pennsylvanians have access to personal protection in public.”

Butler-area state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, said she was glad the judiciary committee approved Bernstine's proposal.

“Law-abiding gun owners shouldn't have to go through additional government red tape just to exercise their right to bear arms and to protect themselves and their families,” she said.

More than 20 states have permitless carry.

This week, the Texas legislature sent to its governor its own bill to remove the licensure requirement in the state.