Juveniles commit murder at an alarming rate in the United
States. Typically, the victims are other juveniles. Consequently, whereas the thoughts of young people in generations past centered on proms, college, or sports, today's youth are preoccupied with personal safety, particularly in high-crime, urban areas.
The threat of homicide is especially prevalent for young males. According to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Center for Disease Control, the leading cause of death in young males is homicides. The United States is the most violent country in the world. Compare death rates for males between the ages of 15-24 years of 2 homicides per 100,000 persons in France or 5 homicides per 100,000 persons in Scotland to 22 homicides per 100,000 persons in the United States (U.S. Congress, 1992, p. 5). African-American males in the same age bracket are at highest risk. The homicide rate for young African-American males is 85 homicides per 100,000 persons (U.S. Congress, 1992, p. 5).
The weapon of choice for youths involved in violence is firearms. In 1990, nearly three of every four juvenile murderers used guns in the commission of their crimes. In the past decade, the number of juveniles committing murder with guns increased by 79 percent. A survey of Seattle, Washington high school students found that 34 percent reported having easy access to handguns and almost 7 percent reported owning a gun (U.S. Congress, 1993, p. 7).
Virtually unlimited access to handguns has contributed to the spiraling increase in the incidence of homicide by juveniles. During the 1980s, juveniles between the ages of 12 and 24 committed more than 48,000 homicides. Between 1965 and 1990 juvenile arrests for murder increased 332 percent (U.S. Congress, 1993, p. 7). A study by Northeastern University found that between 1985 to 1991, murder arrests for 15 year-olds, 16 year-olds, and 17 year-olds skyrocketed 217 percent, 158 percent, and...