By Chief Denis J. Borges
Starting July 1, 2026, Mississippi will begin handling certain juvenile cases differently. Under the new law, if a juvenile commits or attempts to commit a crime of violence while in possession of a firearm, that case will begin in circuit court instead of youth court. That is a serious change, and parents need to pay attention.
Too many teens today are getting caught up in things they do not fully understand. Some are trying to fit in. Some are trying to act tough. Some are making fast decisions without thinking about what comes next. But when a firearm gets involved, it is no longer just a childish mistake. The danger is real, the damage is real, and the consequences are real.
Mississippi is making it clear that violent crime involving juveniles and guns will be treated seriously. And it should be. Ignoring that kind of behavior does not help a child—it hurts them. It teaches them that serious actions do not bring serious consequences. That is not guidance. That is neglect.
Parents, this is where you come in.
Know where your children are. Know who they are around. Know what they are doing. Know what they are carrying. Check the room. Check the bag. Check the vehicle. Ask questions. Pay attention to changes in behavior. Pay attention to who they spend time with. Pay attention to what they post online and what they think is funny. Many warning signs show up before the crime does.
What we are seeing too often is a lack of boundaries, a lack of correction, and a lack of accountability at home. This is not about harshness. It is about parenting. A child who is never corrected will eventually be corrected by life, by the streets, or by the law, and that lesson is usually much harder.
Too many families find out too late. They find out after somebody gets hurt. They find out after an arrest is made. They find out after a gun is recovered. They find out after their child is standing in front of a judge. By then, the damage is already done.
At that point, a child’s past does not outweigh the seriousness of the act. What matters is that a violent crime occurred involving a firearm. The impact on victims, families, and the community cannot be undone, and the consequences are real.
As a police chief, I believe in accountability. I also believe in prevention. I would much rather see a parent have a hard conversation at home than see law enforcement deal with the aftermath in the street. Early guidance, structure, and involvement can make all the difference.
This law should be a wake-up call.
Do not assume your child knows better. Do not assume they are safe just because they are quiet. Do not assume they are making good choices just because they made it home last night. We live in a time where one bad decision, one wrong crowd, one moment of anger, and one firearm can change everything in seconds.
Teens need guidance. They need boundaries. They need parents and guardians who are involved, alert, and willing to step in before it is too late. There is nothing wrong with checking on your child. There is nothing wrong with saying no. There is nothing wrong with pulling them away from bad influences. That is called parenting.
July 1 is coming. Have the conversation now. Be involved now. Set the standard now. Handle your business at home before the law has to handle it somewhere else.
Chief Denis J. Borges
