Approximately nine out of ten homicide victims in the United States are killed with a weapon of some type, such as a gun, knife, or club. Homicide is the second leading cause of death among all youth aged 15-24 (14.8 per 100,000) and is the leading cause of death among black youth aged 15-24 (54.7 per 100,000). During adolescence, homicide rates increase substantially. Among youth aged 5-14, the rate is a negligible 1.5 per 100,000, but it increases to 20.3 per 100,000 among youth aged 15-24. Firearms markedly elevate the severity of the health consequences of violent behavior. Firearm-related homicide and firearm-related suicide accounted for 44% and 51% respectively, of all firearm injury deaths in 1995. Unintentional firearm-related fatalities also are a critical problem among children and young adults in the United States. During 1996-1997, there were approximately 190,000 fights that did not include a weapon, 115,000 thefts, and 98,000 incidents of vandalism in U.S. schools. Nearly 70% of school districts prohibit students from possessing and using a weapon in the school building or on school grounds.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth aged 15-24 and the second leading cause of death among white youth aged 15-24. The suicide rate for persons aged 15-24 has tripled since 1950 and in 1997 was 11.1 per 100,000.