Coahoma County parents and residents should be aware that Senate Bill 2710, effective July 1, 2026, allows juveniles who commit certain violent crimes while in possession of a firearm to be prosecuted as adults in circuit court rather than handled in youth court, Sheriff Mario Magsby Sr. said in a Facebook post.
The post said the measure also creates new felony penalties for shooting into a crowd or group of people. It did not specify which offenses are listed or how prosecutors will decide when to seek adult charges.
Magsby’s post said adults who knowingly sell, transfer or provide a stolen firearm to a child face enhanced penalties of 10 to 20 years in prison. If that firearm is later used in a violent crime, penalties increase to 10 to 30 years, and if it is used in an attempted murder, murder, capital murder or child homicide, the post said the provider may face 10 to 40 years.
Circuit courts in Mississippi handle felony cases, while youth courts typically handle juvenile delinquency and rehabilitation matters. Sheriff Magsby urged residents to share the information with family and friends.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details become available.
