Use of Guns Responsible for Increased Homicides by Juveniles

Updated March 4, 2017 | Infoplease Staff

According to the FBI, the increase in homicides committed by juveniles has been related to their use of guns as the murder weapon. Between 1980 and 1987, firearms were used in just over half (54%) of all homicides involving a juvenile offender. Then, firearm-related homicides began to increase, so that by 1994, most homicides by juvenile offenders (82%) involved guns. And the sharp decline in homicides by juveniles between 1994 and 1997 was attributable entirely to a decline in homicides by firearms.