I live in Irving, and I’m a high school student who cares about safety in our schools and neighborhoods. Right now, Texas lawmakers are working on a bill called SB 1596. This bill would make short-barreled guns, like sawed-off shotguns, legal under state law. Even if federal rules still apply, Texas police would not charge people for having them.
To me, that’s scary. These guns are not like normal hunting rifles. They are easier to hide and can do a lot of damage fast. In 2018, a student used a sawed-off shotgun in the Santa Fe school shooting here in Texas. It makes no sense to make it easier for people to have these guns when we have already seen how dangerous they can be.
I know Texas is a state that believes in gun rights. A lot of families here own guns for hunting, sport, or protection. I’m not against people having guns. But I also think rights come with responsibility. Just because we can pass a law to loosen gun rules doesn’t mean we should.
If lawmakers still want SB 1596, they need to add safety rules. For example:
- Safe storage. Guns should be locked up, especially in homes with kids.
- Training. If someone owns a short-barreled gun, they should take a class to prove they know how to use and store it safely.
- Background checks. We should make sure people who buy these guns don’t have violent records.
- Sensitive places. Guns like these should not be allowed anywhere near schools, daycares, or hospitals.
These steps seem simple, but they would help keep people safer. Without them, SB 1596 feels like lawmakers care more about politics than about kids like me walking into class every morning. I genuinely feel scared for my life when I walk.
Some people will say this bill is about freedom. They’ll say the government should not tell people what guns they can own. But freedom doesn’t mean ignoring safety. We have rules about cars, seat belts, and even food safety. Guns are powerful tools, and it’s fair to ask for rules that keep people safe. #ProtectOurKids
When I think about SB 1596, I think about my school, my friends, and my family. If someone brings a short-barreled gun into a public place, the risk is huge. I don’t want my community to be the next headline.
This is why it’s important for students, parents, and neighbors in Irving and across Texas to speak up. Call or email your state senator and state representative. Tell them you care about safety. Tell them you want balance—gun rights that don’t put kids in danger.
Texas doesn’t have to choose between rights and safety. We can have both. But we won’t if lawmakers keep passing bills like SB 1596 without thinking about the impact on real people.
I may just be a high school student, but I know one thing: laws should protect people. And every Texan deserves to feel safe going to school, work, or even just hanging out at the park. It’s time for our leaders to remember that before they make decisions that put us all at risk
About The Author
Elnour Elnour is a senior at Jack E. Singley Academy in Irving, Texas. He is the founder of Smiles for Change, a philanthropy initiative that provides free dental care to those in need. He is also involved with TurnUp Activism and his school’s newscast club. Outside of school, he is interested in dentistry, weight lifting, and spending time in nature.
About SB 1596
Texas Senate Bill (SB) 1596, passed by the 89th Legislature and signed into law on June 20, 2025, removed short-barrel firearms (like sawed-off shotguns and short-barrel rifles) from the list of prohibited weapons under Texas state law.
