Fact Database
Between 1993 and 1998, gun homicides of young people (ages 24 and under) decreased 41%, from 11,657 to 6,863. However, youth gun homicides remain a significant problem, accounting for 57% of all gun homicides in 1998.
Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. (2000) Crime Gun Trace Reports, 1999.
Related Facts
The firearm homicide rate for teenagers ages 15-19 increased by 61% in the ten-year period from 1979 to 1989.
Source: Fingerhut, L. et al. (1992) Firearm and nonfirearm homicide among persons 15 through 19 years of age: Differences by level of urbanization, United States, 1979 through 1989. JAMA. 267(22), 3048-53.
In a ten-year period between 1984 and 1993, the firearm homicide rate for youth ages 15 to 24 increased 158%. In contrast, during this same time period the homicide rate for people age 24 and older declined by 19%.
Source: Snyder, H. (1998) Juvenile Arrests 1997 Bulletin. Washington, DC, OJJDP.
In 1998, 3792 children age 19 and younger were killed with guns in the U.S. This equals just over 10 children every day.
Source: Murphy S.L. (2000) Deaths: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports. 48(11).
Of all homicides in 1997, 68% were committed with firearms.
Source: Murphy S.L. (1999) Deaths: Final data for 1997. National Vital Statistics Reports. 47(19).
Of handgun homicides in 1997, only 2.3% were classified as justifiable homicides by civilians. And for each justifiable homicide, there were 139 lives ended by murder, suicide and unintentional shootings.
Source: Deaths: Final Data for 1997. (1999) National Vital Statistics Report. 47(19) and the FBI's Supplementary Homicide Report. 1997. |
