The Peer Context of Adolescent Weapon Carrying in a High School Friendship Network

This study used data from a school friendship network (n = 531) to describe the characteristics of peer groups that are most conducive to weapon carrying. We then compared the characteristics of carriers to noncarriers within groups and among socially isolated youth. Results indicated that students in high-carrying groups did not have close ties to their friends and were less likely than students in other groups to score high on the depression index. Weapon carriers within high-carrying groups, however, scored higher on the depression index than noncarriers in that group. Weapon carriers within low-carrying groups had higher rates of victimization than noncarriers. Carriers who were socially isolated were more socially intolerant than isolated youth who did not carry. Implications for weapon carrying prevention in schools are discussed.