Controlling New Mexico Juveniles' Possession and Use of Firearms

Abstract

As a first step in identifying potential opportunities for improved control, this study describes aspects of firearms possession and use among a sample of juvenile offenders and examines system responses to incidents involving juveniles and firearms in two New Mexico counties. The main sources of data are a self-report questionnaire administered to 380 juvenile offenders in confinement, and information on 135 incidents involving firearms that led to the arrest of one or more juveniles. Our results show that firearms are readily accessible to juvenile offenders and are carried most often for self-defense or aggression rather than as status symbols. Two thirds of firearms incidents became known to police after calls were made by citizens. These calls often concerned violent or property crimes. One third of the incidents were detected by the police following searches in public places. Compared to cases initiated by citizens, those initiated by police intervention were more likely to lead to charges being filed and to subsequent adjudication, mainly on weapons charges. We conclude by recommending that the police increase their monitoring of situations in which juveniles are likely to be carrying firearms illegally.