Trends in Carrying Handguns Among Florida Adolescents: 2002-2022

This study explored changes in general handgun carrying, in-school carrying, favorable attitudes toward handgun carrying in school, and ease of handgun access among Florida adolescents.

Data were from even years between 2002 and 2022 from the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, a repeated cross-sectional and representative survey of Florida middle and high school students (N = 701 649). Weighted logistic regression models estimated the prevalence of each outcome. We then calculated weighted odds ratios to assess changes in outcomes from 2002 to 2022 in sociodemographic groups.

From 2002 to 2022, Florida adolescent general handgun carrying increased by 65% (3.7% to 6.0%) but handgun carrying in school decreased by 60% (1.1% to 0.4%). Female, middle school, and white students contributed substantially to the increase in general handgun carrying, because they had 3.04, 2.16, and 1.99 higher odds of carrying in 2022 than 2002, respectively. Male and rural students contributed substantially to the decrease in odds of handgun carrying in school with 70% and 80% decreases, respectively. Odds of favorable attitudes toward handgun carrying in school decreased by 29%, from 3.0% to 2.2%. Ease of handgun access decreased in odds by 27%, from 18.4% to 14.1%.

Florida adolescent handgun carrying is increasing, while handgun carrying in school, favorable attitudes toward handgun carrying in school, and ease of handgun access are decreasing; specific sociodemographic groups contribute to these changes. Prevention strategies addressing the risk of handgun carrying and access should be tailored to diverse sociodemographic groups.