Association of Firearm Access, Use, and Victimization During Adolescence With Firearm Perpetration During Adulthood in a 16-Year Longitudinal Study of Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System

Abstract

Key Points Question Are youths involved in the juvenile justice system who use, have access to, or have been injured by a firearm or threatened with a weapon during adolescence more likely to perpetrate firearm violence and own firearms in adulthood? Findings This cohort study of 1829 randomly selected youth newly detained in a temporary juvenile detention center found that 85% of males and 63% of females were involved with firearms as adolescents. Nearly all types of firearm involvement during adolescence were associated with increased odds of using and owning firearms during adulthood. Meaning These findings suggest that firearm use, access, injury, and being threatened with a weapon during adolescence may be risk factors for firearm perpetration and ownership in adulthood.

Examining Recovery Status and Supports before and after Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment Among Clients Who Experienced Lifetime and Recent Firearm-Related Threats

“…That general pattern appears to hold for victimization with firearms and perpetration of firearm violence (Beardslee et al, 2018; Goldstick et al, 2019a; Kalesan et al, 2019; Rowhani-Rahbar et al, 2015; Schmidt et al, 2019; Teplin et al, 2021; Turner et al, 2016; Wallace, 2017). One study found that twice the number of individuals who experienced threats with a weapon as an adolescent reported they perpetrated firearm violence in adulthood (43.8% vs. 20.6%) and almost half of those who had a gunshot injury in adolescence reported perpetrating firearm violence as an adult (48.4%) (Teplin et al, 2021). Other studies have found that victimization as an adolescent was associated with carrying a gun to school or work as an adult (Turner et al, 2016; Wallace, 2017) and carrying a gun is associated with increased substance use (Buschmann et al, 2017) as well as increased risk of firearm victimization and perpetration (Branas, Richmond, Culhane, Ten Have, & Wiebe, 2009; Oliphant et al, 2019).…”

“…Another study found that exposure to firearm violence in childhood is associated with increased distress (Mitchell et al, 2019). Other research suggests that access and exposure to firearms during adolescence increase risk of owning and carrying a firearm as well as experiencing and perpetrating firearm violence (Teplin et al, 2021). However, it is not clear whether or how cumulative negative life experiences such as adverse childhood experiences and adult victimization might increase firearm-related risks.…”

“…Firearm-related risks and substance use are often treated independently; however, firearm-related risks intersect with alcohol and illicit drug use in multiple ways (Branas, Han, & Wiebe, 2016; Buschmann, Prochaska, Baillargeon, & Temple, 2017; Dittmer, Davenport, Oyler, & Bernard, 2021; Lu & Temple, 2020). For example, both impact younger adults (18–30 years old) at higher rates and early involvement in either is associated with negative outcomes in later adulthood (Everytown for Gun Safety, 2020; Grant et al, 2006; Moss, Chen, & Yi, 2014; Parsons, Thompson, Vargas, & Roco, 2018; Teplin et al, 2021). Additionally, firearm-related risks have often been overlooked in the sequela of substance use and substance use disorders (Schulte & Hser, 2013).…”

“…. For example, both impact younger adults (18-30 years old) at higher rates and early involvement in either is associated with negative outcomes in later adulthood (Everytown for Gun Safety, 2020; Grant et al, 2006;Moss, Chen, & Yi, 2014;Parsons, Thompson, Vargas, & Roco, 2018;Teplin et al, 2021). Additionally, firearm-related risks have often been overlooked in the sequela of substance use and substance use disorders (Schulte & Hser, 2013).…”

Defense, Disrespect, and #Deadly: A Qualitative Exploration of Precursors to Youth Violence Informed Through Hospital-Based Violence Prevention Program Follow Up

“…To reduce and prevent violence related injuries, particularly youth gun violence, researchers underscore the need to better understand antecedents of violence and the context within which violence occurs (Teplin et al, 2021). Prior research has established that both individual and community factors influence an individual's likelihood of experiencing and perpetrating violence, with adverse childhood experiences most robustly influencing violence (Leban & Gibson, 2020).…”