be permitted to carry loaded firearms or other lethal weapons at school or on city streets" (Public Health Service, 1990: 1). Since 1968 federal laws have prohibited juveniles from purchasing guns. The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 also prohibits juveniles from possessing handguns. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms noted that "the misuse of handguns is a leading contributor to juvenile violence and fatalities" (7/1998). The danger posed by guns to youth has led to Federal laws banning youth from owning handguns except in very limited instances.
Background
Over the past two decades, the public has voiced substantial concern about the growing amount of violence committed by juveniles. Arrest and victimization data show that between 1984 and 1995, violent crime rates among 13- to 17-year-oldsgroup is comprised of youth who own their guns illegally and carry them on the street. The latter individuals carry guns for reasons of protection,
5 to carry out crimes, and for status. Recently, this group has been the focus of much research, policy-making, and tactical and strategic intervention. Preliminary work examining those enrolled in school suggests that today, gun carrying is relatively common among youth, particularly in urban areas. One study of junior high students in Washington, D.C., reported that 25 percent of males and 4 percent of females have carried a gun. Similarly, in New York City, seven percent of high school students reported carrying a handgun in the past 30 days. Data obtained from arrestees has yielded similar results. Decker, Pennell, and Caldwell (1997), using data