NCJ Number
186202
Date Published
1998
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This chapter reviews the extent of weapon carrying on college campuses and explores the underlying dynamics of doing so, as well as the controversial relationship between violent crime and weapons (specifically handguns).
Abstract
According to a recent national survey of 26,000 college students on 61 campuses, 7 percent of students carried a gun or knife in the previous 30 days. The study indicated 11 percent of the men and 4 percent of the women surveyed carried weapons. Extrapolated, this means that approximately 1 million students carry weapons on campus. At face value, a comparison of campus crime data with data on weapon carrying and weapons offenses does not show a link; however, the authors advise caution in this area, because there has been considerable debate about the interpretation of campus crime data. Students carry guns mainly out of fear; however, the data on campus violent crime suggest that this fear is irrational. In 1997 there were only 15 murders among 489 college campuses, and none occurred where weapon arrests on campus were the highest; thus, the gun carriers are not killing people. Neither are armed robberies common on campus; however, aggravated assaults are high relative to other campus crimes. It is possible that students carry guns because they have been assaulted or know someone who has been assaulted. Possibly, selective media reporting that emphasizes dramatic violent crimes fuels fear among viewers, such that the actual risk of being a victim of violent crime is not part of citizen awareness. Regardless of the extent of weapon carrying on campus, college officials must be alert to the potential for weapons creeping into college classrooms and dormitories in increasing numbers. As weapon carrying increases, the authors warn that the risk of those weapons being used also increases. 1 table and 29 references