NCJ Number
146058
Journal
Youth Record Volume: 5 Issue: 16 Dated: (September 5, 1993) Pages: 2-8
Editor(s)
C Zaskey
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Between April 19 and May 21, 1993, 2,508 students in 96 elementary, middle, and senior high schools were surveyed about gun experiences and attitudes.
Abstract
The survey showed that the southern region of the United States dominated the gun culture, with 52 percent of young people indicating they knew someone who had been a victim of gunfire. Knowledge of gun casualties was highest in small towns and rural areas, followed by central cities and suburbs. Guns were more prevalent in rural settings, indicating that the extent of gun ownership may be a critical determinant of gun casualties. Those between 16 and 19 years of age were most familiar with gun casualties personally, but 35 percent of those between 10 and 12 years of age said they knew of such casualties. Knowledge of gun casualties was much higher among blacks and Hispanics than among Asians and whites. When asked how quickly they could get a handgun, 21 percent of all young people said within 1 hour and 37 percent said within 24 hours. Many youths in schools indicated they were afraid of being physically attacked and believed their lives would probably be cut short due to increased gun use. Young people identified several solutions to violence, such as avoiding fights, education, the use of metal detectors in schools, and gun control measures and legislation. 5 tables and 1 figure