Homicide offending by age of offender and weapon use, 1976-2005
Three charts: one each for age groups 14-17, 18-24, and 25 and older
Ages 14-17 chart
Line chart with two lines: gun and nongun.
For homicide offenders ages 14-17 who used a gun, the number began at 1,071 in 1976 and increased, reaching 1,097 in 1977. After 1977, the number decreased, reaching 936 in 1978, before increasing to 1,209 in 1980. After 1980, it fell, reaching 795 in 1984, before climbing to a high of 3,632 in 1994. After 1994, the number decreased, reaching 1,020 in 2001, before increasing to 1,193 in 2005.
For homicide offenders ages 14-17 who used another weapon, the number began at 832 in 1976 and decreased to 674 in 1977. After 1977, the number rose, reaching 878 in 1980, before decreasing to a low of 387 in 2003. Then it increased to 485 in 2004, before decreasing to 418 in 2005.
Ages 18-24 chart
Line chart with two lines: gun and nongun.
For homicide offenders ages 18-24 who used a gun, the number began at 3,771 in 1976 and fell to 3,700 in 1977. Then the number increased to 5,213 in 1980, before decreasing to 3,549 in 1984. After 1984, it increased, reaching a high of 8,569 in 1993, before decreasing to 5,252 in 1999. The number then rose, reaching 5,790 in 2005.
For homicide offenders ages 18-24 who used another weapon, the number began at 2,608 in 1976 and climbed to 3,628 in 1980. The number then fell to a low of 1,924 in 2005.
Ages 25+ chart
Line chart with two lines: gun and nongun
For homicide offenders ages 25 and older who used a gun, the number began at 8,271 in 1976 and decreased to 8,010 in 1977. Then the number increased, reaching 10,024 in 1980, before falling to a low of 4,651 in 1999. After 1999, it increased to a high of 5,665 in 2005.
For homicide offenders ages 25 and older who used another weapon, the number began at 3,692 in 1976 and climbed to 5,426 in 1990. After 1990, the number decreased to 3,722 in 1999, before rising to a high of 4,173 in 2004. Then it decreased, reaching 4,077 in 2005.