Guns and Knives in California Schools: Individual and School Characteristics

Introduction: Violence in schools is a concern for parents, educators and law enforcement. This study examines individual and school-level predictors of students bringing weapons (guns, knives) to school. 

Methods: Survey data collected in 2011/2012 from 357,561 students (7^th, 9^th, and 11^th grade) in California schools were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling. Survey data were supplemented with school-level data. Variables at the individual level were sex, age, grades, race/ethnicity, perceived safety in school, the number of times a student perceived to have been bullied, caring relationships at school and meaningful participation at school. The school-level variables were number of students enrolled, percent free and reduced lunch eligible students, percent White and number of teachers per 100 students.

Results: 5% of students reported bringing guns and 10% reported bringing knives to school on at least one occasion in the past year. Older students, males and students receiving lower grades were more likely to bring weapons to school. Hispanic, Native American, Black, and multi-racial students were more likely to bring weapons to school than White and Asian students. Feeling less safe at school was positively related to bringing weapons to school, as was the number of times students reported having been bullied. Students reporting fewer caring relationships at school were more likely to bring weapons to school. Meaningful participation at school was not related to bringing guns, but was positively related to bringing a knife. At the school level, the total number of students was negatively related to bringing weapons to school. Percent students receiving free/reduced lunch and the number of teachers per 100 students were positively related to bringing weapons. Percent White students was positively related to bringing knives to school, but not related to bringing guns.

Conclusion: Bullying, perceived safety and meaningful relationships play a role in whether students bring weapons to school. School level variables indicate that smaller schools may be at higher risk of students bringing weapons. It may be that larger schools have safety measures (metal detectors) or security staff. Furthermore, schools with more students receiving free and reduced lunch were at higher risk as were schools with more teachers per 100 students. It may be that the teacher/student ratio is greater in small schools. These findings highlight the importance of the perceived and actual school environment. Findings suggest that focusing on building a more positive school environment and enhancing students’ relationship with each other could reduce weapons in school.