NCJ Number
144164
Journal
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Volume: 40 Issue: 40 Dated: (October 11, 1991) Pages: 681-684
Editor(s)
R A Goodman
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A 1990 survey that collected information from a representative sample of 11,631 students in grades 9-12 in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands provided information on the numbers of students carrying weapons and the types of weapons they carried during the last 30 days.
Abstract
The survey used a three-stage sampling design. It did not ask students if they carried weapons onto school grounds. Results revealed that nearly 20 percent of the students reported that they had carried a weapon at least once during the 30 days before the survey. This total included 31.5 percent of the male students, 8.1 percent of the female students, 41.1 percent of the Hispanic males, 39.4 percent of the black males, and 28.6 percent of the white males. Among the students who carried weapons, 25 percent said they did so only once, 32.2 percent, two or three times; 7.4 percent, four or five times; and 35.5 percent, six or more times. The most common weapons were knives or razors (55.2 percent), clubs (24 percent), and firearms (20.8 percent). Results suggested that programs to reduce weapon- carrying should target frequent weapon carriers, as well as their peers and families. Reducing the perceived or actual risk for victimization should be one component of these programs. In addition, weapon-related fatalities will be prevented most effectively by reducing the carrying of firearms. 10 references