The provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions are the subject of this analysis.  The bill would amend the Penal Code to provide an exemption to certain voluntary emergency personnel for the offenses of unlawfully carrying a weapon, unlawfully carrying a weapon in prohibited places, and unlawfully carrying a handgun by a license holder in a county with a population of 50,000 or less.
                                 
Under current law certain, unlawful carrying of a weapon, unlawful carrying of a weapon in prohibited places, and unlawful carrying of a handgun by a licensed holder offenses are punishable as a third degree felony.  A third-degree felony is punishable by confinement in prison for a term of two to ten years and an optional fine not to exceed $10,000. 

In fiscal year 2014, 32 people were arrested, fewer than 10 placed under felony community supervision, and fewer than 10 were admitted to correctional institutions for unlawful carrying of a weapon.  In fiscal year 2014, 27 people were arrested, fewer than 10 were placed under felony community supervision, and fewer than 10 were admitted to correctional institutions for the offense of unlawful carrying of a weapon in a prohibited place.  In fiscal year 2014, fewer than 10 people were arrested, fewer than 10 were placed under felony community supervision, and fewer than 10 were admitted to correctional institutions for the offense of unlawful carrying of a handgun by a licensed holder.
 
A statewide repository containing the level of detail necessary to isolate voluntary emergency personnel who were licensed to carry a concealed handgun at the time of the offense from all other individuals arrested and convicted under the statutes referenced by the bill is not currently available.  This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill modifying the application of felony sanctions for those voluntary emergency personnel who were licensed to carry a concealed handgun at the time of the offense would not result in a significant impact on state correctional agencies.