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Know the Facts

Local Statistics:

To learn more about weapon-related violence at school in your city or state, check out the U.S. CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. This study provides data about youth weapon possession and youth violence in every state and certain major cities.

National Statistics:

Read these national statistics to learn more about the problem of weapon-related violence in schools. Use these facts to educate others about the importance of youth violence prevention in our communities.

Young people are carrying weapons at an alarming rate. Over 3,000,000 high school students in the United States reported carrying a weapon in the past 30 days and of those students, over 896,000 reported that the weapon they carried was a gun. ***

In 2005, over 1,000,000 (6.5%) high school students across America brought a weapon to school each month. ***

Over 1,300,000 (7.9%) High School students in the United States reported being threatened or injured with a weapon at least once in the past 12 months and just under 1,000,000 (6.0%) High School students missed at least one day of school in the past 30 because they felt unsafe. ***

Thankfully, recent figures suggest that there is only about a one in one million chance of a student dying by homicide or suicide at school. However, the odds that a high school student will be injured or threatened with a weapon are about 1 in 14. *

A little more than half of students surveyed said they knew of at least one incident of a student bringing a weapon to school. Of these students who knew, 60% did nothing. Only 20% told a teacher, principal or other school official about it. **

In 81% of attacks in schools, the attacker told at least one other person first. In almost 60% of attacks, he or she told more than one person. *

In 93% of cases, the person who knew was a friend, schoolmate, or sibling. Some knew all the details of the attack, including the time and date, while others only knew that something “big” or “bad” was going to happen. *

Research indicates that 93% of school attackers developed a plan to harm people at school before the attack. Some planned out the attack only a few days prior but analysis reveals that 51% of attackers began to develop the idea at least a month before hand. *

When surveyed, 56% of students said they would “definitely” report a weapon-related threat of violence and another 30% said they would “probably” report it. **

*Data from “Safe School Initiative,” developed by the US Secret Service and US Department of Education, 2002. For more information: ww.ed.gov/offices/OSDSF/thretassesmentguide.pdf

**Data from Benenson Strategy Group student survey, 2001.

***[2005, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention].



	Know the Facts Local Statistics: To learn more about weapon-related violence at school in your city or state, check out the U.S. CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. This study provides data about youth weapon possession and youth violence in every state and certain major cities. National Statistics: Read these national statistics to learn more about the problem of weapon-related violence in schools. Use these facts to educate others about the importance of youth violence prevention in our communities. Young people are carrying weapons at an alarming rate. Over 3,000,000 high school students in the United States reported carrying a weapon in the past 30 days and of those students, over 896,000 reported that the weapon they carried was a gun. * In 2005, over 1,000,000 (6.5%) high school students across America brought a weapon to school each month. * Over 1,300,000 (7.9%) High School students in the United States reported being threatened or injured with a weapon at least once in the past 12 months and just under 1,000,000 (6.0%) High School students missed at least one day of school in the past 30 because they felt unsafe. *** Thankfully, recent figures suggest that there is only about a one in one million chance of a student dying by homicide or suicide at school. However, the odds that a high school student will be injured or threatened with a weapon are about 1 in 14. * A little more than half of students surveyed said they knew of at least one incident of a student bringing a weapon to school. Of these students who knew, 60% did nothing. Only 20% told a teacher, principal or other school official about it. ** In 81% of attacks in schools, the attacker told at least one other person first. In almost 60% of attacks, he or she told more than one person. * In 93% of cases, the person who knew was a friend, schoolmate, or sibling. Some knew all the details of the attack, including the time and date, while others only knew that something “big” or “bad” was going to happen. * Research indicates that 93% of school attackers developed a plan to harm people at school before the attack. Some planned out the attack only a few days prior but analysis reveals that 51% of attackers began to develop the idea at least a month before hand. * When surveyed, 56% of students said they would “definitely” report a weapon-related threat of violence and another 30% said they would “probably” report it. ** Data from “Safe School Initiative,” developed by the US Secret Service and US Department of Education, 2002. For more information: ww.ed.gov/offices/OSDSF/thretassesmentguide.pdf Data from Benenson Strategy Group student survey, 2001. **[2005, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention].