Which statement best describes the Deadly Weapon in Penal Institution offense?

• A. Carrying on or about one's person a deadly weapon while confined in the penal institution.
• B. Carrying a deadly weapon into the penal institution by a visitor.
• C. Possessing or concealing a deadly weapon in the penal institution.
• D. Carrying a weapon outside the penal institution.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that this offense targets someone who is confined in a penal institution and carries a deadly weapon on or about their person inside the facility. The phrase “carrying on or about one’s person” specifies the manner of the conduct, and “in a penal institution” sets the location and scope to those who are already confined.

This wording makes it clear that the act is about the inmate personally carrying the weapon within the facility, not about an outsider bringing a weapon in or about simply having a weapon somewhere inside the institution. So this option matches the statute’s elements precisely: the weapon is carried on the person, and it occurs inside the penal institution. The other scenarios describe different situations (a visitor bringing a weapon into the facility, or possession or concealment inside the institution, or carrying a weapon outside the institution) that do not fit the exact elements of this offense.