Firearm percent of juvenile homicide victims by age, 1980-2010

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Working for Youth Justice and Safety

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Violent Crime Victimization

Q:	Does firearm use in juvenile homicide victimization vary by age?
A:	Older juveniles are considerably more likely to be killed with a firearm than are younger juveniles.

	0 to 5		6 to 11		12 to 14		15 to 17

1980	10	%	37	%	47	%	62	%
1981	8		34		52		61
1982	12		34		51		64
1983	7		44		47		64
1984	11		38		47		61
1985	11		37		53		65
1986	9		40		54		63
1987	8		39		68		70
1988	11		43		64		76
1989	12		45		66		82
1990	12		38		74		79
1991	10		43		76		83
1992	11		48		76		85
1993	12		46		75		86
1994	9		48		76		87
1995	12		47		80		84
1996	9		51		71		83
1997	10		44		67		86
1998	10		38		64		78
1999	10		41		66		83
2000	9		37		63		81
2001	10		38		59		74
2002	11		43		65		81
2003	9		33		68		78
2004	8		39		67		80
2005	8		34		66		82
2006	9		47		75		83
2007	9		43		68		82
2008	9		53		72		81
2009	12		45		65		81
2010	10		45		71		83

[ Graph version ] [ Excel file ]

Between 1980 and 2010, at least 3 of every 4 murder victims ages 15–17 were killed with a firearm, while about 1 of every 10 murder victims under age 6 were killed with a firearm.
The youngest juvenile victims (under age 6) were more likely to be killed by personal weapons than by a firearm. In 2010, 45% of murder victims under age 6 were killed by offenders using their hands, fist, or feet.

Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: http://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/victims/qa02308.asp?qaDate=2010. Released on July 31, 2012.

Adapted from Puzzanchera, C. and Kang, W. (2012). Easy Access to the FBI's Supplementary Homicide Reports: 1980-2010. Available on-line at: http://ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/ezashr/.

Data Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation. Supplementary Homicide Reports for the years 1980–2010 [machine-readable data files]. Washington, D.C.: FBI.