TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas would increase penalties for home burglaries under a bill being considered in the state Senate.

The Senate Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee held a hearing Tuesday on the measure. The bill would increases penalties for any home burglary and sentences for the intent to steal a firearm. Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson testified that burglary victims are frustrated that perpetrators often get off with probation.

The bill would make the potential prison sentence for any home burglary six months longer for a first-time offender, for a maximum of 19 months.

Thompson said it’s not clear how much the measure would increase prison populations but a proposed amendment hopes to alleviate that issue. The amendment would lessen penalties for repeat shoplifters, downgrading such offenses to a misdemeanor.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas would increase the penalties for burglarizing a home, building or vehicle intending to steal a firearm under a bill before a state Senate committee.

The Senate Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee was having a hearing Tuesday on the measure. The bill also increases the penalties for any home burglary.

State law currently doesn’t make a distinction when a burglar intends to steal a gun.

The bill would allow a judge to sentence a first-time offender to up to two years and 10 months in prison for burglarizing a home, building or vehicle intending to steal a firearm.

The bill would make the potential prison sentence for any home burglary six months longer for a first-time offender, for a maximum of 19 months.