The provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions are the subject of this analysis. The bill would amend the Penal Code to provide a defense to prosecution for carrying a weapon in certain prohibited places associated with a governmental entity if the person was licensed to carry a concealed handgun. Unlawful carrying of a weapon in prohibited places is punishable as a third degree felony.

 
In fiscal year 2014, 581 people were arrested, 30 were placed on felony community supervision, and 10 were admitted to state correctional facilities for the offense of unlawful carrying of a weapon in a prohibited place. Data are not available to indicate which of these persons were licensed to carry a concealed handgun and possessed the handgun on certain premises associated with a governmental entity.

 
Allowing for a defense to prosecution is expected to result in decreased demands upon the correctional resources of counties or of the state due to shorter terms of probation or shorter terms of confinement in state correctional institutions. However, this analysis assumes the bill's provisions would not result in a significant impact on state correctional populations, programs, or workloads.