Parents' perceptions of causes of and solutions for school violence: implications for policy

Author: Bliss, M. J. / Emshoff, J. / Buck, C. A. / Cook, S. L.
Publication: J Prim Prev
Link to Published Abstract
Topics: Legislation and Policy Ownership Public Opinion Storage Students Supply
Keywords: Adolescent Adult Child Child Behavior/ psychology Firearms/ legislation & jurisprudence
Bibliographic information +

In metropolitan Atlanta, interviewers questioned 202 parents of children in grades 1-12 about school violence, parental behavior, and gun ownership. Of the respondents, 94 indicated that they owned a gun. Few differences existed in perceptions of causes and solutions for school violence between parents who owned and did not own firearms. Many parents reported that access to firearms is a strong contributor to school violence, and many stated that making firearms difficult for children to use (with safety lock or increasing minimum age for firearm purchase) was a solution.