Study finds 6% of Florida teens have handguns, a 65% increase in two decades

Gun deaths among children are a growing concern, but a recent study has found that the number of teenagers carrying handguns has actually increased. The research, published in the journal Pediatrics, revealed that general handgun carrying among Florida adolescents rose by 65% from 2002 to 2022. The groups most significantly contributing to this increase were females, middle school-aged teens, and white students.

The study utilized data from the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, analyzing responses from over 700,000 middle and high school students. While general handgun carrying saw a significant uptick, carrying handguns in school actually decreased by 60%, along with a 39% decrease in favorable attitudes toward school carrying.

Despite the decrease in school carrying, the authors noted that these trends may seem contradictory given the rise in school shootings over the past 25 years. They suggested that factors such as increased school safety measures and the presence of security or law enforcement officers may have influenced these trends.

It is important to acknowledge the limitations of the study, including the reliance on self-reporting, which can introduce bias. Firearms remain the leading cause of death among children and teenagers in the United States, with a sharp increase in gun deaths among ages 15 to 19 starting in 2020. Nonfatal firearm injuries among children under 18 also saw a significant increase from 2011 to 2021.

Another study published in JAMA Pediatrics highlighted the impact of firearm laws on pediatric gun deaths. States with lax firearm laws saw a rise in gun deaths among children, while states with more restrictive laws experienced stable or decreasing rates of pediatric gun deaths.

As the conversation around gun violence continues, it is crucial to address the root causes and implement effective prevention strategies. By understanding the trends and factors influencing adolescent handgun carrying, we can work towards creating a safer environment for our youth.

This article was written by Sara Moniuszko, a health and lifestyle reporter at CBSNews.com, who covers breaking and trending news for CBS News’ HealthWatch.