Search Results

Author: Department of Justice
Resulting in 1 citation.
1. Department of Justice
Kids and Guns
Report No: NCJ-178994, Juvenile Justice Bulletin, 1999, National Report Series, March 2000.
Also: http://www.ncjrs.org/html/ojjdp/jjbul2000_03_2/contents.html
Cohort(s): NLSY97
Publisher: U.S. Department of Justice
Keyword(s): Behavior, Violent; Behavioral Problems; Black Youth; Children; Crime; Gender Differences; Handguns, carrying or using; Racial Differences; Transition, School to Work

Permission to reprint the abstract has not been received from the publisher.

This report provides information about the use of guns by children and adolescents, with related information on juvenile homicides and suicides. The annual number of juveniles killed with a firearm increased substantially between 1987 and 1993 as occurrences of other types of homicide remained constant. Since 1980, one in four murders of juveniles involved a juvenile offender, the victims being generally acquaintances killed with a firearm. Boys and girls tend to kill different types of victims, and black juveniles have been more likely than youth of other races to commit murders with firearms. A survey by the National Institute of Justice of arrested and detained individuals shows the prevalence of firearm use among juvenile respondents. A new survey, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97: editor's addition), interviewed 9,000 youths aged 12 to 16 in 1996, and will follow this cohort as they make the transition from school to work. Findings to date show the connection between handgun carrying and other problem behavior. Firearms are also linked with youth suicide. In 1996, 7% of suicides involved youth age 19 or younger. In fact, for every two young people murdered in 1996, one youth committed suicide. Child homicide and suicide rates in the United States exceed rates for other industrialized countries, and this is particularly true for deaths involving firearms. (Contains 11 figures.) (SLD). Free copy available online from: http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/
Bibliography Citation
Department of Justice. "Kids and Guns." Report No: NCJ-178994, Juvenile Justice Bulletin, 1999, National Report Series, March 2000.